Being in the business of cars, trucks, crossovers, Financing and utilities, founded by a legendary Henry Ford and incorporated in 1903 the company have emerged as a front-runner in most of the developed nations in their respective segment of the businesses.
With more than 1,90,000 employees and 68 plants worldwide, Ford is using these resources in designing manufacturing, financing and marketing the cars, trucks, SUV’s, Crossovers and Lincoln luxury vehicles in different parts of the world.
Table of Contents
Segmentation, targeting and positioning in the Marketing strategy of Ford –
Like any other automobile company, Ford uses a mix of psychographic, demographic, and geographic segmentation variables to cater to the changing needs of the customers of the industry.
Ford uses differentiated targeting strategy for offering the specific products to the specified segments of customers.
Have you considered how recent trends are shaping the automotive industry’s marketing strategies?
Updated Industry Insights: According to a 2022 report by Deloitte, a key trend in the automotive industry is the increasing integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into company portfolios. As of 2023, approximately 15% of new car sales in the U.S. are EVs, driven by evolving consumer preferences and enhanced government incentives. Moreover, Ford has been actively investing in this sector, with plans to allocate over $22 billion by 2025 towards electrification initiatives to better compete in this expanding market.
Practical Advice or “Quick Tips”: For companies like Ford aiming to enhance their market presence, focusing on developing a robust online presence can be pivotal. Leveraging tools such as Google Analytics to better understand consumer behavior and preferences can optimize their digital marketing strategies. Additionally, fostering partnerships with tech firms could further drive innovation and meet the increasing demand for smart, connected vehicles.
Positioning is where the products or services stand in the mind of the consumers, what image is built in their mind when they hear the brand name. Ford motors use value-based positioning strategy to create emotional and inspirational touch with the customers.
Marketing mix – Here is the Marketing mix of Ford.
SWOT analysis – Here is the SWOT analysis of Ford.
Mission- “Not available”
Vision- “Working together in a global enterprise to make people’s lives better through leadership in automotive and mobility”
Tagline-“Go Further”.
Competitive advantage in the Marketing strategy of Ford –
Intellectual properties – Ford motors have approximately 38000 active patents which are helping the company in the conduct of its business and it keeps the company technologically ahead of peer companies in the industry.
Stronghold in the developed nations – Ford has large product portfolio in the developed nations which are helping the company in having deep knowledge of these markets.
Manufacturing units – It has 68+ plants worldwide which are helping the company in keeping the price of their offerings low as compared to the peer companies in the market.
BCG Matrix in the Marketing strategy of Ford –
It’s business segments i.e. Cars, SUV and crossovers are question marks in the BCG matrix due to the decline in the market share in the developed nations and not having a focusing operation in the emerging markets.
Lincoln Luxury vehicles are stars in the BCG matrix as it is present in the selected markets.
Distribution strategy in the Marketing strategy of Ford –
Ford uses the different channel of distributions such as authorised dealerships/ service centres, DSA (direct selling agents), resellers, and the e-commerce sites. Moreover, most of its distribution centres & warehouses are on a lease which is helping the company in reducing its operational cost.
Brand equity in the Marketing strategy of Ford –
Ford motors have positive word of mouth and high TOMA (top of mind awareness) in the developed nations but the brand architecture of the company in the developing nations have failed to attract the customers in these markets.
Competitive analysis in the Marketing strategy of Ford –
Since the developed nation’s market is already saturated and companies are eating up each other’s market share while some companies like Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Suzuki motor corporation, Honda motor company and many others are targeting emerging/developing nations as these are the market with lots of potential and growth.
Increasing price-based competition and declining demand are major problems companies in this industry are facing.
Its truck division is performing well in some of the developing nations who are modernising their transportation system.
Market analysis in the Marketing strategy of Ford –
The automobile market faces several bottlenecks whether it is government regulations, market factors such as labour cost, infrastructure cost, volatility in the fuel prices, currency fluctuations, or the competition in the market. The automotive industry is already crowded with a large number of MNC’s players with no single company in a dominant position worldwide.
Customer analysis in the Marketing strategy of Ford –
Customers of Ford motors are the upper middle & middle-income group and transportation enterprises, which are looking for technologically advanced automotive solutions.
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Good Morning,
I am a Ford customer. I’ve read in the news several times in the last six months that Ford isn’t doing so well right now. I wanted to share something I noticed this week. Maybe it can help shape marketing/advertising decisions to drive up sales. My retired parents spend their winters in Florida in a nice condo complex. There are seven buildings of 9 floors, and two buildings of 3 floors, so that’s a pretty good sampling of retired middle-class folks.
In previous years, when I walked around the complex, Ford/Lincoln/Merc was pretty well represented in the parking lots. Not this year. I saw only a couple each of Explorers, Escapes, and Edges, with one or two Expeditions/Navigators. There were still several older Grand Marquis/Town Cars in good shape there. I didn’t see any newer Town Cars.
What I did see were a LOT of Buick Enclaves. There were also several nicer foreign versions of larger cross-over SUVs. The point of the email is that I think you should consider a Lincoln (Or bring back Mercury!) version of the Explorer. The senior set wants a little bit of luxury. They want that waterfall or Lincoln grill. They want to feel they can move up from the Ford line. The Enclave is just a fancier version of the Traverse, but at least the seniors feel like they’ve moved up a little. And with so many driving from Canada and the northern states to winter in Florida, they want some comfort and style. Give those potential customers a reason to go to a Ford/Lincoln dealer and create a bunch of TV commercials showing seniors driving in style in a Lincoln. The MKS is too small and the Navigator is too big. Give them an upscale Explorer option. [I would be happy to test drive such a vehicle for a year! I’m 53 and almost ready to join the retiree market. ;-) ]
Ford Marketing & Engineering !
Over the Years I have owned many Fords 66 GTA 67 GT Fairlane 1970 Shelby GT 500 1986 Big Bronco & Several Company cars ! My current Ford autos 2017 Carrol Shelby GT 350 Cobra 2001 Mustang GT Convertible Ford F 150.
I have given up on what you are doing taking The V-8 out of The Explorer & The Lincoln Navigator now The Little Bronco you disappoint even more it should have been built more like a Tahoe with a V-8 you can actually tow something with after all these years I will start buying from Chrysler with Trucks Utility Vehicle’s The Biggest screw up is The GT with a V-6 to compete with the Europeans What a Damn Slap in the Face ruining That Name Brand of Championship History !
I have to see Bean Counters & engineers take Charge they ruin everything they Touch Wake the Hell up put the Train back on the tracks Build something People Really want ! My f- 150 is seen better days but it will tow my boat my camper & at our farm pull a tractor !
I have an excellent strategy I think that all the people in marketing would be blown away with the story that I have I own an F-150 that has 250,000 mi on it and I would love to do a story on it or maybe even a commercial on it but I guarantee you one thing it would raise some heads