Ford battling bad truck sales with Employee Pricing on F-Series in June
It looks like the fuel crunch is starting to hurt Ford's pickup sales too. We already heard that GM is about to close plants and is considering killing spinning off HUMMER because of lower demand for trucks, and now we find out that Ford is dropping their prices to help move some trucks. Our By The Numbers post for May showed that the full-size Ford F-150 recently slipped from its perch at the top of new vehicle sales for the first time in 17 years! In fact it fell to fifth place behind Accord, Camry, Corolla and Civic, so it appears that it's time for some incentives. Rather than fuss with rebates, Ford is bringing customers into the family and extending employee pricing on all new F-Series sold in June. Actually, you can still use the existing rebates on top of the new lower base prices, which makes it a great time to buy one if you really need a pickup. Starting today, all F-Series trucks in the program should be sporting new MSRP addendum stickers showing the new lower prices. The offer covers F-150, F-250 and F-350 models excluding the Harley Davidson and chassis cab models.
Full press release after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
Press Release
FORD DELIVERS CUSTOMERS TRUCKS THEY WANT AND NEED, OFFERING EMPLOYEE PRICING ON F-SERIES IN JUNE
- America's best-selling and most capable truck for 31 years, Ford's F-Series pickup can now be purchased for the same price Ford employees pay.
- Ford's Employee Pricing Program begins June 3 and runs through June 30 on 2008 model year F-Series, including F-150, F-250 and F-350.
- The Ford Employee Pricing Program is designed to drive showroom traffic through the busy month of June, offering customers for a limited time the chance to purchase or lease an F-Series pickup for the same price as Ford employees.
Beginning today and running through June 30, Ford's Employee Pricing Program will be available on 2008 model F-Series pickups, including the F-150, F-250 and F-350. Harley Davidson and chassis cab models are not included.
"Customers have made F-Series America's best-selling truck for 31 years because it gets the job done. Now, we're offering even more value on our hard-working trucks," said John Felice, Ford general marketing manager. "The Ford Employee Pricing Plan on 2008 model F-Series is a great deal with a clear, compelling message that shows customers how much we value their business."
Customers in the more than 3,600 Ford showrooms across the U.S. will be eligible to receive the highly prized employee discount pricing.
The Plan
The plan is simple to understand. All 2008 model F-Series, except Harley Davidson and chassis cab models, will be sold at employee discounted price plus cash incentives,.
Beginning June 3, participating dealers will receive supplemental window stickers for 2008 models F-Series outlining the MSRP, the employee discount and applicable cash rebates.
The Ford Employee Pricing Plan will be advertised through print, television, radio and Internet ads featuring the employees who build Ford F-Series pickups.
Ford Truck Leadership
Ford continues to build on its 31 consecutive years of truck leadership. Since its debut in 1948, Ford has sold more than 33 million F-Series trucks around the world. Today, there are more F-Series pickups on the road with 250,000 miles than any other brand. Besides being America's favorite truck, it has also been the its best-selling vehicle for 26 years in a row.
The 2008 F-Series Super Duty builds on Ford truck leadership with a bold new exterior design, a finely crafted, functional and capable interior and an all-new 6.4-liter Power Stroke® clean diesel engine.
Super Duty also leads the segment in innovation, introducing the following new features for 2008:
- An industry-first fully integrated Tailgate Step provides simple access to the truck bed.
- An industry-first stowable bed extender offers customers a convenient means of adding cargo-hauling flexibility.
- Industry-exclusive PowerScope® tow side mirrors, power-fold and power-telescope to enhance the towing experience.
- A factory installed Cargo Management System - the market's strongest and most versatile provides greater hauling flexibility and securely stows all types of cargo.
- An available Rearview Camera System, which is mounted in the tailgate handle bezel and activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view while backing up, particularly when lining up to a trailer hitch. The video image is displayed in the self-dimming rearview mirror - a segment exclusive.
- An exclusive and innovative new Mid-box, mounted in front of the standard pickup box and behind the cab, provides lockable storage for tools and other valuable items.
In the 2008 model year, Ford expanded its already unparalleled lineup of more than 60 unique F-150 models with the addition of the new Lariat Limited, a Wheels and Stripes Package on the STX and the first-time availability of an XL SuperCrew with either 5.5- or 6.5-foot Styleside box. In addition, a special "Chip Foose" edition of the F-150 is offered late in the model year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joe 8:48AM (6/04/2008)
I recently was car shopping for a Ford Ranger. I wanted the 2.3L, a stick, and A/C. Anything after that I didn't really care about. And I wanted it for cheap. At one dealership I was told "Well, I don't have any Rangers like that, we have a V6 one for $17,000, but I could get you in an F-150 V6 for $9995 today."
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martin 9:00AM (6/04/2008)
jesus christ.. for a brand new truck? that is insanely cheap, clearly not selling like they used to
martin 9:00AM (6/04/2008)
jesus christ.. for a brand new truck? that is insanely cheap, clearly not selling like they used to
Josiah 11:16AM (6/04/2008)
Shop around and online homeboy. Going to 1 dealership and asking for 1 specific model with a particular set of features is not giving yourself a chance. Find all dealerships within 100 miles or so and start making calls, ask for quotes and play them against each other.
I realize that wasn't your point, and I think your story is what/will kill the medium size truck market here in the US. Full size pickups are not much more expensive and appeal to the more/better mentality.
doug 9:05AM (6/04/2008)
Unfortunately that dealer has no incentive to stock a 4 cylinder stick Ranger or to go locate one for you, since that truck carries about a $400 dealer markup at full sticker.
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NT 9:05AM (6/04/2008)
'which makes it a great time to buy one if you really need a pickup"
key concept, how many people really NEED a pickup at all?
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marc golding 8:40AM (6/05/2008)
There are quite a few people who actually need a truck. Key concept use the other side of your brain to figure it out .
Pat 9:19AM (6/04/2008)
Well, I was thinking of picking up a truck so that I can tow. I'd like to think that considering the F150 was the number 1 selling vehicle in the US for a LONG time, that people actually used them. Although I don't know if that includes fleet sales. I'd imagine that there is a higher percentage of truck owners that use the back of their trucks compared to the percentage of SUV owners that use the back of theirs.
Soccer Mom 9:21AM (6/04/2008)
Marc, out of those who actually need a pickup, how many actually need it?
geo.stewart 9:40AM (6/04/2008)
believe it or not folks, just because there is not a load of lumbedr in the back of the truck every day doesnt mean they dont need a truck. if you use the bed or towing once a week, I would think that would qualify you for needing a truck.
and of course, in this republic, with free capitalism, we are able to get what we WANT as well provided we have the resources. good luck finding your communism alive and well where each according to their abilities and each according to their needs. closest on this planet is an oligarchy. human nature makes true communism impossible.
h8rain 10:33AM (6/04/2008)
I'll back up Marc on his statement with a list. And granted some of these could be suited to use vans, but some people/businesses prefer trucks. People who use their truck for work, generally wear it out a lot quicker or prefer to replace it more often (before it becomes a money pit/burden/unreliable).
Construction sub contractors(remember to build a building it takes a bunch of different people), Construction companies, electricians, plumbers, exterminators, mechanics (if they have to go pick up a large part say from the "store" or junkyard), caterers (probably more inclined to use a van though, but could use a truck with a cap due to the cheap price), landscapers, and so on.
Now granted all I named are jobs, and I am assuming that you meant "people" as in their personal vehicle. However when you are a sub contractor or small business owners, your "work" vehicle and "personal" vehicle are a lot of the time the same vehicle. Now Joe Blow probably doesn't "need" a truck if he says works at a office, but last time I checked people are free to buy whatever they want.
I work for a company in the construction industry, and while I do not use my Titan as a truck every day (GASP my bed is empty), I simply can not buy a Smart Fortwo (even though I would like to have one) because I can not fit a door inside of it or a 8 foot piece of material.
Guenther 10:36AM (6/04/2008)
NT is a Troll
Soccer Mom 9:18AM (6/04/2008)
Have they tried battling it with better cars?
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Pat 9:23AM (6/04/2008)
I think the point is that they made a bunch of trucks, and have a bunch of trucks in the pipeline that won't sell as predicted. They need to get them off the lot to make room for their cars.
Although I do agree that their line up hasn't really impressed me. Besides the F150 and the Mustang, I can't see ever cross shopping a Ford compared to their competition.
Rick 3:36PM (6/04/2008)
Too bad there isn't employee pricing on gas.
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Buckus 9:40AM (6/04/2008)
I guess people are really starting to re-evaluate their "needs" when it comes to transportation. If you "need" a pickup truck because once a year you go camping, then you don't really "need" a pickup truck as much as you need a rental car office near you.
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NT 10:15AM (6/04/2008)
THAT was what I was getting at.
geo.stewart 10:55AM (6/04/2008)
ian,
too bad YOUR folks contributed to the overcrowding. Anyone feeling the world is overcrowded is free to exit at any time or refrain from adding further.
fool or no, that is EXACTLY what capitalism and freedom mean. Whether the choices made are right or moral, that is another matter entirely. and btw, I won neither truck nor SUV or CUV but a nice little compact because I dont need more than that.
Ian B. 10:47AM (6/04/2008)
Another fool spouting off about freedom and capitalism. Yes, you are basically free. But are you free to waste rapidly dwindling resources that you SHARE with those around you? Are you free to suck up that gasoline that we source from a part of the world that is prone to violence, and forces us to send OUR CHILDREN there to be the petroleum police? Are you free to pollute EVERYONE else's air with your inefficient vehicle?
Is this the capitalism you speak of? I've got news for you. Scientifically speaking, an 'economy' is not sustainable. Any economic system contrived by man with it's rules benefitting the creators and the issues at the moment is doomed. Over population and over use of resources will see to this.
Tool 10:03AM (6/04/2008)
Looks like it is time to bring out the good old sales gimmicks again--at least according to the sales and marketing geniuses in Dearborn.
Why do the Detroit 3 spend all their time reacting to circumstances instead of being proactive?
The thing is that economists have been forecasting $4 gas for a year now. Why didn't Ford drastically cut back production of its trucks then?
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