are you satisfied, fellow spinners?
Lincoln to Ax 200 Metro Stores: Survivors Must Upgrade to Match Premium Rivals
By: Jamie LaReau
For: Automotive News -- September 27, 2010 - 12:01 am ET
Ford Americas Boss Mark Fields: Lincoln will Get Seven New or ?Significantly Refreshed? Vehicles in the Next Four Years.
DETROIT -- In an attempt to inject more luxury into its last remaining premium brand, Ford Motor Co. wants to cut at least 200 Lincoln franchises, or 40 percent of its dealers in major metropolitan areas.
Ford will require substantial dealership upgrades intended to raise Lincoln's game in terms of customer experience to the level of such luxury brands as Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. This push is being driven by luxury consumers who say that Lincoln doesn't match its competitors.
Multiple sources said Ford is expected to outline the plan at a two-day Lincoln dealer meeting that begins Monday, Oct. 4, in Dearborn, Mich.
Small, rural, markets are less of a target, sources said.
The death of Mercury -- which accounted for most of the volume for Lincoln-Mercury dealers -- is prompting Ford to move faster to pair Lincoln with Ford-brand dealers. Still, in some large metro markets, there will still be stand-alone Lincoln stores, Ford executives have said.
After shedding Aston Martin, Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo over the past three years or so, Ford wants to create a premium showroom experience for its final premium brand.
Lincoln has its work cut out for it. Twelve years ago, it was the top-selling luxury brand in the United States with sales of 187,121 units. Last year, Lincoln sold 82,847 units, ranking seventh among luxury brands and far behind leader Lexus' 215,975 sales.
Ford believes it can increase per-store traffic by having fewer locations in major metropolitan areas. The average number of sales per Lincoln store last year was 67 compared with Lexus' 947. As of Jan. 1, Lexus had 230 U.S. stores, and Lincoln had 1,221, down from 1,596 in 2000. Also as of Jan. 1, Audi had 270 stores; BMW had 338 stores, and Mercedes had 352.
Ford has 495 Lincoln stores in metro areas. It wants to have about 300 metro area dealerships by reducing a mix of stand-alone and dualed stores based on the competitive nature of each market, sources said.
Investment in Lincoln stores is also a priority. That strategy will include higher facilities standards and improved customer service. Those higher standards might prompt some dealers to cash out, sources said.
In some cases Ford will offer buy-out packages to dealers.
'An aggressive plan'
Mercury's imminent death and the consolidation of Lincoln with Ford brand stores are also factors in the consolidation strategy.
With Mercury being wound down by Dec. 31, some 261 U.S. Lincoln dealerships now dualed with Mercury will become stand-alones. Ford insiders say they expect some stand-alone Lincoln dealerships to continue in large metro markets.
A spokesman for Ford said the Lincoln dealer meeting will focus on "the luxury customer experience."
"The future direction of the Lincoln ownership experience has been charted on a joint basis between Ford Motor and select dealer representatives," spokesman Christian Bokich wrote in an e-mail. "It is important that Lincoln dealers are the first to hear about this information from the company."
Ford's leadership team worked with 10 Lincoln dealers on the plan to revamp the brand.
But a dealer familiar with the advisory group said Ford did not reveal a goal to cut 200 franchises.
"That's an aggressive plan," said the Lincoln dealer who asked not to be identified.
Mercury's death will enable Ford to put more marketing and product-development dollars into Lincoln.
"We're going to make a major investment in Lincoln over the next four years with seven new or significantly refreshed products," Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, told analysts in Southfield, Mich., last week.
Ford plans to add a compact, front-drive car or crossover to the Lincoln brand. There is also talk that a car based on the next-generation Ford Mondeo, which is sold in Europe, could be added.
In the future, Lincolns will get features such as active noise cancellation and adaptive suspensions.
But Ford faces a challenge to make Lincoln competitive during a time when mass-market brands are increasing their levels of technology and premium brands are increasing their level of premium amenities.
AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson, who has one stand-alone Lincoln store, said he is focused on the Ford brand and not Lincoln as a stand-alone brand.
'No man's land'
"I think the strategic challenge for all near-luxury brands is that there's two chairs -- premium and mass market -- and you don't want to be caught between the two," Jackson told Automotive News last week. "Between those two chairs you are trying to live in a no man's land, and it's very tough. You sort of have to decide which way you're going to go."
A look at Lincoln's loyalty rates vs. those of its competitors is telling. Edmunds.com reports that 24.6 percent of Lincoln customers are repeat customers. Loyalty rates for other luxury brands are much higher. Lexus' loyalty rate is 46.5 percent, for example; Mercedes' is 47.8 percent. Cadillac's is 29.2 percent, and BMW's is 37.5 percent.
Edmunds.com data show that the projected residual value of a 2010 Lincoln after five years is 33.8 percent compared with five-year residuals of 44.1 percent for Lexus and 37.4 percent for Cadillac.
Sales per store
Avg. sales per store in 2009
Lincoln: 67
Cadillac: 80
Audi: 306
Mercedes-Benz: 546
BMW: 581
Lexus: 947
Source: Automotive News Data Center
Lincoln needs to substantially revamp it's lineup before it can compete with the Likes of Mercedes, Lexus, BMW, Audi, etc.
it is my understanding that the 2011 lincoln mkz hybrid and '11 lincoln mkx are included in those "new" or "significantly refreshed" models. here is what i propose:
- a rwd with awd option, v8 lincoln town car replacement (no fwd, imo for this segment)
- an "all new" rwd ford f-series derived suv with awd option and diesel availability navigator with lwb version to take on lincoln's new design theme - to fight caddy's escalade and "L" variant, jeep grand cherokee overland and range rover
- a totally reworked mkz and mkz hybrid "replacement" (both with awd option) with more powerful v6 set drastically apart from the lesser ford fusion - an infiniti "m" and "g" and lexus (camry-based) es fighter
- dropping the smaller engine on the mks while adding more unique features and styling (already sweet) to further set it apart from the ford taurus - a mercedes e-class and bmw 5-series fighter, yet less costly
- a totally hot "hot rod lincoln" coupe and convertible version on the mks platform to serve as the brand's hallo car
- replacement for the controversial mkt, perhaps ford explorer (opposed to flex) based vehicle with completely unique, yet less polarizing looks of the dreadfully slow selling mkt crossover to drive an enormous sales increase - a lexus rx fighter
- two new rwd with awd availability small series of cars to complete with acura, audi, bmw, mercedes, infiniti, lexus - thinking cars to fight better with the likes of the audi a3&a4&a5, bimmer 1&3 series, mercedes c-class (& smaller offerings), lexus is, etc. - with a complete range of coupes, sedans, wagons, crossovers, convertibles/roadster, 2-seaters - in appropriate numbers per configuration
I think a big, sleek Lincoln coupe with 400 hp and RWD would do wonders for the brand. Advertise it using "Hot Rod Lincoln" as the theme music, and we're in business.
"HRL" would likely be the same. oh wait! it must have "mk" in it, like mkh :rolleyes:! lol.
Lincoln is a mess right now. They are behind Cadillac and really behind the Germans.
Quote from: Mustangfan2003 on October 03, 2010, 02:09:51 PM
Lincoln is a mess right now. They are behind Cadillac and really behind the Germans.
:hesaid: sad, but true, although sales have increased significantly in september 2010.
Ford either has to invest heavily & revamp the brand or just kill off Lincoln entirely. Maybe even take the brand off the market for a year, clear out inventory and use that break to develop an Infiniti FM type platform. That combined w/a return to word based names (to help differentiate from the 535is, A6s, E550s, G35xSs etc) will, in combo with Ford not having taken (much) federal money will help a lot.
Imo it would have been best to keep Volvo and ditch Lincoln.
Quote from: Galaxy on October 03, 2010, 06:47:38 PM
Imo it would have been best to keep Volvo and ditch Lincoln.
Nobody would have bought Lincoln and it would've involved culling a load of dealers, making it an expensive option.
Lincoln needs some names. Continential, Mark, or whatever, but not this MK stuff.
I love the old names Lincoln had. Ford has the new 5.0 V8 and a line up of turbo 4 and 6 cylinders so now all they need is a good rwd platform to use and things would be great.
What Lincoln needs is a coupe that looks like a Lincolnized Maybach Excelero. It'd be awesome.
Build this on an extended Mustang platform and make the grill a little smaller
(http://www.carsplaza.com/photos/lincolnmkr/lincoln-mkr-340.jpg)
What is that?
The MKR concept from 3 or 4 years ago.
Quote from: the Teuton on October 03, 2010, 08:20:31 PM
:ohyeah:
Wow.
I think Ford would've built this too if it wasn't for fuel prices and the economy going straight to hell.
Quote from: the Teuton on October 03, 2010, 08:20:31 PM
:ohyeah:
Wow.
+1
(http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9966/lincolnmkrconcept200716.jpg)
(http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/9966/lincolnmkrconcept200716.jpg)
That really is how a modern American luxury car should look.
I think it looks really bland, and if brought to production would look very underwhelming.
It has stumpy proportions and a very boring and slab sided profile.
Now, THIS was a hot car.
(http://www.diseno-art.com/images/lincoln_mark_x.jpg)
(http://www.kris.1000lecie.pl/dream1/2004%20Lincoln%20Mark%20X%20concept-fVr%20at%20show=mx=.jpg)
It even uses the T-Bird's windshield. It looks like a T-Bird. It probably should have been made.
It especially looks like this T-Bird.
(http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/04/03/13/27/1967_ford_thunderbird-pic-41196.jpeg)
Definitely not enough. Lincoln is in an awful state currently. They need a Cadillac type renaissance to rejuvenate interest in the brand. Get rid of the Alphanumeric names and bring back the classic monikers. Also, a better styling theme. I agree they need to axe some of the dealers and better the dealer experience. However, I hope they are investing the same focus in the model redesigns.
Quote from: Mustangfan2003 on October 03, 2010, 08:59:51 PM
That really is how a modern American luxury car should look.
exactly!
Quote from: 68_427 on October 03, 2010, 08:57:26 PM
+1
(http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9966/lincolnmkrconcept200716.jpg)
Nice!
Some of the numbers in the OP are very telling, especially the sales per store. My recommendation would be to have all-Lincoln dealers only, no pairings with the Ford brand. In this city at least, you do not see Acura-Honda, Infiniti-Nissan or Lexus-Toyota. e.g. To walk into a Toyota dealership is to experience a madhouse industrial pressure selling environment with noisy PA announcements, screaming kids and hungry salesmen hunting in packs. A Lexus dealer is a haven of quiet tranquility. For some, paying extra for the badge-engineered Toyota is worth it for the more pleasant sales and post-sales experience.
Forgive my pessimism when the only specific mention in the press release of new product is a FWD Mondeo re-badge. I'm sure the BMW 3-series (and Cadillac CTS, for that matter) are shaking in their boots. If this is what Ford has planned for their flagship brand, they're better off putting it out to pasture and starting over with a new brand name. Like Edsel. Or Hammerhead-i.
Quote from: Morris Minor on October 04, 2010, 09:02:49 AM
Some of the numbers in the OP are very telling, especially the sales per store. My recommendation would be to have all-Lincoln dealers only, no pairings with the Ford brand. In this city at least, you do not see Acura-Honda, Infiniti-Nissan or Lexus-Toyota. e.g. To walk into a Toyota dealership is to experience a madhouse industrial pressure selling environment with noisy PA announcements, screaming kids and hungry salesmen hunting in packs. A Lexus dealer is a haven of quiet tranquility. For some, paying extra for the badge-engineered Toyota is worth it for the more pleasant sales and post-sales experience.
:lol:
Yea seeing a Fusion side by side with an MKX or whatever the fuck it is can't help the Lincoln sell.
Quote from: 3.0L V6 on October 03, 2010, 06:53:18 PM
Nobody would have bought Lincoln and it would've involved culling a load of dealers, making it an expensive option.
Lincoln needs some names. Continential, Mark, or whatever, but not this MK stuff.
Well they want to cur 40% anyway. Imo in the long term to be viable "Ford Premium" needs to go global. And Volvo would have been much easier. Especially with Jaguar gone.
Quote from: sportyaccordy on October 04, 2010, 12:51:18 PM
:lol:
Yea seeing a Fusion side by side with an MKX or whatever the fuck it is can't help the Lincoln sell.
Damn rite!
Quote from: Morris Minor on October 04, 2010, 09:02:49 AM
Some of the numbers in the OP are very telling, especially the sales per store. My recommendation would be to have all-Lincoln dealers only, no pairings with the Ford brand. In this city at least, you do not see Acura-Honda, Infiniti-Nissan or Lexus-Toyota. e.g. To walk into a Toyota dealership is to experience a madhouse industrial pressure selling environment with noisy PA announcements, screaming kids and hungry salesmen hunting in packs. A Lexus dealer is a haven of quiet tranquility. For some, paying extra for the badge-engineered Toyota is worth it for the more pleasant sales and post-sales experience.
this would be ideal in focusing on awesome customer service, but they would need to sell more lincolns to sustain stand-alone dealerships, as 'benz, bimmer, etc. generate far higher profit margains and typically without steep rebates - what we often see on american brands. that is how "real" luxury brands do it. i hope fmc does not start adding lincoln models that were destined to be mercuries. i can see them turning lincoln into "lincoln-mercury" without the "m" brand, just to add volume.
I find it funny how everyone slags the grille on the MKT, yet it's identical to the one on the MKR concept car that everyone thinks looks good in this thread.
Quote from: SVT666 on October 04, 2010, 08:55:43 PM
I find it funny how everyone slags the grille on the MKT, yet it's identical to the one on the MKR concept car that everyone thinks looks good in this thread.
Don't interpret my silence as approval - I think both grilles are nasty, garish things.
Quote from: Laconian on October 04, 2010, 08:57:52 PM
Don't interpret my silence as approval - I think both grilles are nasty, garish things.
I love the MKR and I always have. In fact I think I was pretty much a lone voice when the show car debuted. Everyone on CarSPIN hated it.
Quote from: SVT666 on October 04, 2010, 08:55:43 PM
I find it funny how everyone slags the grille on the MKT, yet it's identical to the one on the MKR concept car that everyone thinks looks good in this thread.
I love the MKT, including its grille.
Lincoln has told their dealers that there is a new Continental-inspired sedan under development.
Quote from: SVT666 on October 05, 2010, 09:29:45 AM
Lincoln has told their dealers that there is a new Continental-inspired sedan under development.
Unless they make it RWD I'm not interested.
Quote from: SVT666 on October 05, 2010, 09:29:45 AM
Lincoln has told their dealers that there is a new Continental-inspired sedan under development.
Unless they make it a 4-door convertible with suicide rear doors, I'm not interested.
Quote from: Vinsanity on October 05, 2010, 10:33:05 AM
Unless they make it a 4-door convertible with suicide rear doors, I'm not interested.
Convertible or not, it must have suicide doors.
Now Lincoln is denying what the dealers reported.
Quote from: SVT666 on October 05, 2010, 02:25:46 PM
Now Lincoln is denying what the dealers reported.
So who knows what the fuck is going on.
What a dysfunctional group, manufacturer and dealers alike. :facepalm:
Quote from: Vinsanity on October 05, 2010, 10:33:05 AM
Unless they make it a 4-door convertible with suicide rear doors, I'm not interested.
(http://manonthemove.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lincoln-continental.png)
Screw new design, just make this again!
Quote from: SVT666 on October 04, 2010, 08:55:43 PM
I find it funny how everyone slags the grille on the MKT, yet it's identical to the one on the MKR concept car that everyone thinks looks good in this thread.
great point! i did not mind it on the pre-2011 mkx some much (but like the '11 far more). i do detest the interpretation of this grille design on the current lincoln navigator/navigator el, though.
Quote from: NomisR on October 05, 2010, 04:12:18 PM
(http://manonthemove.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lincoln-continental.png)
Screw new design, just make this again!
that's an awesome picture. makes me want to walk around yelling "foggettaboutit!", context be damned :mrcool:
I still think there are too many brands. Lincoln's really gotta do a 180 to show it's even worth keeping around. It's a waste right now. I don't think they make anything you can't buy w/a Ford badge right now.
Ford needs Lincoln like Toyota needs Lexus. Both companies need a luxury brand in North America. Lincoln just needs time and investment dollars. In one respect, Lincoln reminds me of Acura in the sense that it doesn't have much in the way of unique platforms.
Yup, and if you look to Infiniti and Cadillac for examples, nearly the whole lineup can be rejuvanated on the basis of one properly-developed RWD platform. Ford is lucky in a sense that they already have the Falcon and Mustang available to use as a starting point in this scenario, whereas Nissan and GM had to develop FM and Sigma, respectively, almost from scratch. And heck, even Lexus followed that lead, successfully developing the IS and GS on the same platform.
Let's hope they still have the tooling for the DEW98 platform somewhere, too. Heck, Jag is using the same platform to turn this:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/2001_Jaguar_S-Type.JPG)
into this:
(http://www.autofiends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/2009jagxfr.jpg)
Yes, same platform.
Quote from: the Teuton on October 07, 2010, 04:00:36 PM
Let's hope they still have the tooling for the DEW98 platform somewhere, too. Heck, Jag is using the same platform to turn this:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/2001_Jaguar_S-Type.JPG)
into this:
(http://www.autofiends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/2009jagxfr.jpg)
Yes, same platform.
Those are the same platform as much as the C170 Focus and C1 Focus are the same platform. It was used as a basis, but there was a lot revised.
It's the same platform so much as the XF still rides on the DEW98 platform. It's the same platform.
Quote from: 3.0L V6 on October 07, 2010, 03:41:46 PM
Ford needs Lincoln like Toyota needs Lexus. Both companies need a luxury brand in North America. Lincoln just needs time and investment dollars. In one respect, Lincoln reminds me of Acura in the sense that it doesn't have much in the way of unique platforms.
except that ford is better accepted for trucks compared to cars and honda for cars over trucks. with lincoln, it might be harder to establish itself than it has with acura (an ever-going battle, imo). also, both lincoln and acura should offer v8's and rwd's (along w/4wd/awd systems) in their cars and crossovers to be taken as seriously as bmw, mercedes-benz and jaguar in the premium luxury car market.
i wonder what all of those small cars that fmc announced were to become mercury's will end up: at ford? lincoln? abandoned? with news of smaller buicks, caddy's, mercedes and bimmers, i am curious as to how lincoln will broaden its appear and line-up to both tighten the gap between ford and turning out unique, higher scale cars, trucks/suv's and crossover.
If Lincoln wants my money they need to produce this:
(http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8933/unbenannt1kopiewd.jpg)
(http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1508/unbenannt2f.jpg)
(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9171/unbenannt3yo.jpg)
(http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8928/unbenannt4o.jpg)
And provide me with a lifelong supply of free gasoline. :praise:
NOW THESE ARE LINCOLNS. :rockon:
Quote from: cawimmer430 on October 10, 2010, 12:07:31 PM
If Lincoln wants my money they need to produce this:
(http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8933/unbenannt1kopiewd.jpg)
(http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1508/unbenannt2f.jpg)
(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9171/unbenannt3yo.jpg)
(http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8928/unbenannt4o.jpg)
And provide me with a lifelong supply of free gasoline. :praise:
NOW THESE ARE LINCOLNS. :rockon:
They're rubbish automobiles, too.
My dad had a coupe much like the red one you pictured above. Though it was luxurious, it was woefully underpowered, poorly built, and frequently broke down. Still, it doesn't hold a candle to his 86' XJ Vanden Plas, which suffered a seized engine at
86 miles...
Quote from: Submariner on October 10, 2010, 12:17:28 PM
They're rubbish automobiles, too.
My dad had a coupe much like the red one you pictured above. Though it was luxurious, it was woefully underpowered, poorly built, and frequently broke down. Still, it doesn't hold a candle to his 86' XJ Vanden Plas, which suffered a seized engine at 86 miles...
But they look so hot! :wub:
I think if I had one of these things I'd just display it in my living room or garden, provided they fit. :praise:
Well atleast now making a powerful economical engine isn't as hard.
Quote from: the Teuton on October 03, 2010, 09:16:01 PM
(http://www.kris.1000lecie.pl/dream1/2004%20Lincoln%20Mark%20X%20concept-fVr%20at%20show=mx=.jpg)
It even uses the T-Bird's windshield. It looks like a T-Bird. It probably should have been made.
It especially looks like this T-Bird.
(http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/04/03/13/27/1967_ford_thunderbird-pic-41196.jpeg)
That's really cool actually.
And I was very impressed with the customer service at Lexus. I don't think I've ever seen such good customer service anywhere actually. Compare that to the Mercedes dealership my Dad & I went to where I had to drag him so I could go drool over my favorite cars. The salesperson gave us the dirtiest look and was very condescending, probably due to the very hot Honda Pilot in the street and my Dad's not-so-nice clothes. I went to go sit in a S550 and he just rolled his eyes and kinda scoffed at the entire scene.
Oh well. Bad sales tactics at the local Mercedes dealership. :lol: Compare that to the guys down at the local exotic car dealership where they let me sit in everything there with a smile and was happy to chat with them. I asked why they were so nice because it's not like I was going to buy anything but they said you never know what'll happen later in life, I could have a friend and he added that sales come from odd places sometimes.
The Mercedes thing was truly unbelievable though.
Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on October 11, 2010, 12:13:02 AM
That's really cool actually.
And I was very impressed with the customer service at Lexus. I don't think I've ever seen such good customer service anywhere actually. Compare that to the Mercedes dealership my Dad & I went to where I had to drag him so I could go drool over my favorite cars. The salesperson gave us the dirtiest look and was very condescending, probably due to the very hot Honda Pilot in the street and my Dad's not-so-nice clothes. I went to go sit in a S550 and he just rolled his eyes and kinda scoffed at the entire scene.
Oh well. Bad sales tactics at the local Mercedes dealership. :lol: Compare that to the guys down at the local exotic car dealership where they let me sit in everything there with a smile and was happy to chat with them. I asked why they were so nice because it's not like I was going to buy anything but they said you never know what'll happen later in life, I could have a friend and he added that sales come from odd places sometimes.
The Mercedes thing was truly unbelievable though.
When you're selling rebadged and overpriced Toyota's, every little helps. :evildude:
those pics of older lincoln's are fantastic. i also love seeing the pre '80s cadillacs and chrysler's, too, especially the imperial!
Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on October 11, 2010, 12:13:02 AM
That's really cool actually.
And I was very impressed with the customer service at Lexus. I don't think I've ever seen such good customer service anywhere actually. Compare that to the Mercedes dealership my Dad & I went to where I had to drag him so I could go drool over my favorite cars. The salesperson gave us the dirtiest look and was very condescending, probably due to the very hot Honda Pilot in the street and my Dad's not-so-nice clothes. I went to go sit in a S550 and he just rolled his eyes and kinda scoffed at the entire scene.
Oh well. Bad sales tactics at the local Mercedes dealership. :lol: Compare that to the guys down at the local exotic car dealership where they let me sit in everything there with a smile and was happy to chat with them. I asked why they were so nice because it's not like I was going to buy anything but they said you never know what'll happen later in life, I could have a friend and he added that sales come from odd places sometimes.
The Mercedes thing was truly unbelievable though.
Road and Track had a blurb a long time ago about a guy who went into a Bentley dealer in a t-shirt and jeans. The sales staff wouldn't help him at all, so he ended up buying out the dealer and firing everyone who worked there.
That's still one of my favorite car stories of all time.
Quote from: the Teuton on October 11, 2010, 11:51:25 AM
Road and Track had a blurb a long time ago about a guy who went into a Bentley dealer in a t-shirt and jeans. The sales staff wouldn't help him at all, so he ended up buying out the dealer and firing everyone who worked there.
That's still one of my favorite car stories of all time.
some people are just plain stupid. Of all people, high-end retail salespeople should know very well that there are plenty of rich people who go shopping dressed in Walmart clothes, simply because money speaks for itself, and they don't have to impress anyone with designer clothes.
Quote from: Vinsanity on October 11, 2010, 12:12:51 PM
some people are just plain stupid. Of all people, high-end retail salespeople should know very well that there are plenty of rich people who go shopping dressed in Walmart clothes, simply because money speaks for itself, and they don't have to impress anyone with designer clothes.
...and not just the high ends ones - there are snobs ignorant dealers and salespeople selling kia's, but i, too, remember that awesome story!
:lol: That's pretty good.
It's amazing how stupid car salesmen can be. You can't judge a book by its cover (cliche I know) & you never know where a sale is going to come from.
Funny though how the guys at the exotic car dealership chatted with me forever about all the cars there. It was really cool.
Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on October 11, 2010, 12:31:26 PM
:lol: That's pretty good.
It's amazing how stupid car salesmen can be. You can't judge a book by its cover (cliche I know) & you never know where a sale is going to come from.
Funny though how the guys at the exotic car dealership chatted with me forever about all the cars there. It was really cool.
but didn't you pose as a billionaire :lol:?
Quote from: Vinsanity on October 11, 2010, 12:12:51 PM
some people are just plain stupid. Of all people, high-end retail salespeople should know very well that there are plenty of rich people who go shopping dressed in Walmart clothes, simply because money speaks for itself, and they don't have to impress anyone with designer clothes.
It amazes me that some people don't seem to realize that. The wealthiest person I know personally is more often found in cheap looking jeans and a t-shirt and a ball cap than anything remotely formal or expensive looking. I always wondered if he dresses up a little when he does go car shopping or to bigger business doings, but I really doubt it.
Quote from: thewizard16 on October 23, 2010, 12:18:07 PM
It amazes me that some people don't seem to realize that. The wealthiest person I know personally is more often found in cheap looking jeans and a t-shirt and a ball cap than anything remotely formal or expensive looking. I always wondered if he dresses up a little when he does go car shopping or to bigger business doings, but I really doubt it.
exactly right!
Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on October 11, 2010, 12:31:26 PM
:lol: That's pretty good.
It's amazing how stupid car salesmen can be. You can't judge a book by its cover (cliche I know) & you never know where a sale is going to come from.
Funny though how the guys at the exotic car dealership chatted with me forever about all the cars there. It was really cool.
Well now I know how to get a test drive at a Ferrari dealership
Purple velvet suit + ascot + monocle + pipe
OR
Incredibly gaudy rapper getup
Though I would bet they make people put down significant refundable deposits just to get a test drive... I know I would
Quote from: sportyaccordy on October 24, 2010, 08:58:22 AM
Well now I know how to get a test drive at a Ferrari dealership
Purple velvet suit + ascot + monocle + pipe
OR
Incredibly gaudy rapper getup
Though I would bet they make people put down significant refundable deposits just to get a test drive... I know I would
they also look at what you drive to the dealership. a cobalt rental should be parked down the block :lol:. the rolls-royce dealership in west palm beach, fl has guards on site nightly and 24/7 when closed for holidays and on sundays.
Quote from: sportyaccordy on October 24, 2010, 08:58:22 AM
Well now I know how to get a test drive at a Ferrari dealership
Purple velvet suit + ascot + monocle + pipe
OR
Incredibly gaudy rapper getup
Though I would bet they make people put down significant refundable deposits just to get a test drive... I know I would
so basically my halloween costumes from 2005 and 2007?
My dad's too old now to deal with car dealers in particular, and snooty retailers in general, but he's always dressed like a tramp. His expensive glasses, and penchant for good Cuban cigars were giveaways but stupid salesmen never divined that far.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on October 11, 2010, 02:58:56 AM
When you're selling rebadged and overpriced Toyota's, every little helps. :evildude:
Clearly it has, Lexus sales are higher than Mercedes sales.
^^ Only in USA (and probably your backyard called Canada), everywhere else in the planed INCLUDING Japan, is the opposite by very, very far.
Quote from: CALL_911 on October 26, 2010, 02:51:09 PM
Clearly it has, Lexus sales are higher than Mercedes sales.
Actually I think Mercedes has passed Lexus this year or they are pretty close to it now.
just read in automotive news that fmc will go to "ford sales staff" and "lincoln sales staff" within the some stores :facepalm:.
instead of a new thread... i am adding the following as it is very closely related to the topic at hand...
Ford: Lincoln stores need own staff: Brand's customer service push is taking shape
By: Jamie LaReau
For: Automotive News -- December 6, 2010 - 12:01 am ET
All Ford-Lincoln dealerships should have a dedicated staff to sell and service Lincolns, says C.J. O'Donnell, Lincoln's group marketing manager.
If the Lincoln National Dealer Council agrees to that this week, O'Donnell wants it carried out in the next few months.
The new rule is part of a still-developing plan to improve customer service at Lincoln dealerships so the brand can compete with top luxury brands. In June, Ford Motor Co. executives killed Mercury and promised to develop refined luxury vehicles in the coming years for the Lincoln dealers to sell.
"The luxury customer expects a high level of product knowledge," O'Donnell said in an interview. "If you have a Ford-Lincoln dealership, there are 23 or so products, and that's too much for anyone to understand."
In May Ford named O'Donnell, 48, group marketing manager of Lincoln Mercury. He had been global marketing director for Jaguar.
In October, Ford told Lincoln dealers to prepare to invest in showroom renovations and improve customer service. If they chose not to, Ford would offer to buy out their franchise. Lincoln wants dealers to decide by next summer.
Ford wants to eliminate at least 200 Lincoln dealerships in the top 130 U.S. markets. There are about 1,200 U.S. Lincoln dealerships.
O'Donnell said the brand is working with the Lincoln National Dealer Council to revise the advertising co-op program and extend dealer training. Lincoln probably will boost profit margins to allow dealers to offer bonuses to exemplary sales or service employees.
Lincoln will discuss the topics during a three-day meeting with the dealer council starting Wednesday, Dec. 8, said Bob Tasca Jr., a Rhode Island dealer and head of Lincoln's dealer council.
"They're going to be stricter on how we go to market with Lincoln and clean up some of these ads that are not really representative of a luxury brand," Tasca said.
But O'Donnell's main focus is for dualed dealers to create a dedicated sales and service staff for Lincoln soon.
"That's a key step as we go forward because those people must be immediately certified with our sales and service training," he said. "We need to pull out the teams as to who's Lincoln and who's Ford, who can successfully sell an F-150 and who can sell a Lincoln. We need to elevate all of that and to know who to train and who to reward."
Quote from: Mustangfan2003 on October 31, 2010, 05:12:54 PM
Actually I think Mercedes has passed Lexus this year or they are pretty close to it now.
very close, but it has to do partly with sprinter now being labeled a "mercedes-benz" opposed to dodge, ram or freightliner.
Quote from: Vinsanity on October 05, 2010, 10:33:05 AM
Unless they make it a 4-door convertible with suicide rear doors, I'm not interested.
YES!