Now at 246,000 miles (no, this is not a typo, it's a Ford Commercial waiting to happen, but they don't seem to want to put me in it. That's OK, look for me on You Tube soon) I am *starting* to think about a new Ford. I will buy a new Ford, but what I can't understand is why they don't make the car I want in the color I want.
I have driven a green Ford Taurus for 10 years now. When I first saw the Ford Edge, I knew this was the car I wanted. I began to configure it and lo and behold, they don't make it in green. Then the new Ceo at Ford, Alan Mulally, is quoted as saying that "...he has demanded that product engineers create uniform parts that most Fords can share, which he believes will lead to leaner and more reliable production." Well, here's a newsflash, start with the COLORS! You make the Ford 500/Taurus in an aspen green and you make one of the trucks in green. Furthermore, Ford continues to promote itself as a "Green" company but yet you don't make the Ford Edge in green. While I am not a branding expert, I would think that if you want to have a consistent theme, then you would make the car in green. In my opinion that means you would be able to share the paint for acheiving the leaner and more reliable production.
I love how Ford wants to cut costs to become more profitable. Why not add into that same theme the fact that they should want to sell more cars and make more money! If you continue to sell the products that nobody wants, it is not going to matter how much you shave off in costs, you still have the same revenue stream. If I can make my suggestion, I want cars that don't contribute to the production and or consumption of anything that wreaks of middle east and oil. Enough is enough. Where are the cars running on CNG or other alternative energy? You have one car that does that today.
If you want to sell more cars, why not make the experience more enjoyable. I have never seen another product that costs so much money but that sits in a parking lot waiting to be taken home. Imagine if the large consumer electronic retailers put all the appliances in the parking lot? What fun is that. Half the enjoyment of picking out that new TV is being somewhere comfortable and bright to discuss the features of the product. Why not create "Test tracks" at the dealerships for test driving the cars and make it a more enjoyable experience.
I want Ford to do well, I will help them in whatever way I can, and I do so today with my three simple point plan. Create products that people want, create products that contribute toward a better tommorrow and make the experience fun.
With that being said, I hope Ford someday finds me in their demographic and allows me to help them in whatever way I can.
JJD
P.S. If Ford wants to create a "Limited" edition Ford Edge in Green, feel free to add it in with cranberry leather seats. (Spilled sodas don't stain as easily in the cranberry color)
