Razor-Sharp Focus on the Customer

More like razor cuts to the pocket book.  The Title quote comes from an article printed in the Toronto Star.  This is their answer to why the Crown Vic is no longer available to the public and only a fleet sale.  After reading this article, one wonders about what the Toronto Star writes about, it’s ability to inform the public and just whose side are they on.  If they had visited any of the sites in my previous blog, the Star would know the real reason, not some answer given by a public relations hack from Ford.

From the April 7, 2007 Toronto Star:

Why sell Crown Vic only to fleets up here?

Apr 07, 2007 04:30 AM

Eric Lai

Q I have a beef with Ford of Canada’s marketing strategy.

Why is the Crown Victoria full-size sedan being sold only as a fleet car in Canada, while it is marketed to the general public in the United States?

It seems to me that, once the designing and tooling is paid off, the more cars you sell, the more money you make.

So why limit the Crown Vicky to fleet sales up here.

 

Fred Cherney, Scarborough
 

 

A Kerri Stoakley, public affairs manager with Ford of Canada, replies:

Thank you for bringing Mr. Cherney’s question to our attention.

At Ford, we keep a razor-sharp focus on the customer.

In Canada, the key customers for the Ford Crown Victoria, which is built exclusively in St. Thomas, are our fleet buyers.

The decision to offer the Crown Victoria as a fleet vehicle, made for the 2001 model year, allowed us to better focus our efforts and resources on serving them.

If Mr. Cherney enjoys the styling and handling of the Crown Victoria, I would encourage him to take a look at both the 2007 Ford Five Hundred and the all-new, redesigned 2008 Ford Taurus.

The Taurus arrives at dealerships this summer.”

 

Now, compare this with the previous blog and links and who would you believe, the Toronto Star and Ford or, fully documented cases of police officers being burned to death.

Crown Victoria affair

What I am writing about is not new to Ford.  They have been involved in dragging their feet and covering up events in the past that have caused injuries or death.  One well known fact in police circies was the fact that when one of their Crown Victoria police cars was involved in an accident, there was a very good likelihood that it would burst into flames.  This was well documented by different organizations and by the police but, Ford refused to do anything about it, causing many needless deaths.

I could tell the whole story here but, I will supply you links to various pages that describe this non-ethical action by Ford.  In regards to the leaky window and failing electronics… will there need to be a death before Ford does anything? 

• Link: http://www.safetyforum.com/cvpi/
• Link: http://www.autosafety.org/CVPI2002.pdf
• Link: http://www.crownvictoriasafetyalert.com/

Non Union vs Union

NOTE: This blog is in no way affiliated with the Ford Motor Companyor any other company owned by them.  The facts in this blog though can be substantiated and some are part of government records.

I mentioned in my previous blog how Toyota was looking after its customers in regards to premature rust failure.  Fix it or replace it… that simple.  And if you’re not rusting yet, 15 year warranty…… Now, other than the fact that Toyota comes from Japan, although some models are made here in Canada and the U.S., one big difference Toyota has with GM, Ford, and Chrysler is that it is NON UNION.  No CAW or UAW workers in their plants.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  In the past unions were a necessity and I guess with some companies, probably still a good idea.  But, IBM never had a union and it did alright.

Unions are a double edged sword.  For the worker, if the company is truly trying to screw them, it is nice to have protection – god only knows the government will take ages to make a decision and papers like the Toronto Star won’t necessarily publish the story.  But, being union is not necessarily healthy for the worker/company.  Unions make contracts that benefit the worker – not the company.  The company tries to make a contract that allows them a profit – the more the better for the stockholders/risk takers.  I know one job at GM that the union contract states that the machine takes two workers to operate and they have to make so many products per shift.  Two workers arrive in the morning and one leaves while the other stays and produces the product.  Before 8 hours is up, the quota is made and slack time arrives for that worker.  Now, how can any one call that a fair contract for the company/investor/stockholder?  But, if the company tries to make it a one person job, the CAW is likely to walk out and picket the building, much like they are doing in Oshawa now.

So, who builds the better vehicle – union or non-union?  Right now, it seems that non-union wins out.

Now, you think this is a cover-up.  I’ll discuss the Crown Victoria issue later.

P.S. I told the CAW about the Ford problem and did not even get a response – I mean, at least they could have told me to Buzz Off and let me know they had an opinion.

“Car Buyer Beware” – Toronto Star Headline

Note:  This blog is in no shape or form affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or anyone else connected to that company.

I read in todays Toronto Star a letter to the editor commenting on the CAW strike against GM.  The writer stated he would not support GM in his next purchase based on: “IF a company deceives its own workers, can its customers be far behind?”.

Well, I hope he doesn’t go to Ford.  It is interesting to note the amount of negative/reporting ink that is given to GM by the Toronto Star while any negative reports about Ford are buried in small articles surrounded by articles on other car makers.  GM gets front page and Ford, unless postive, is buried.

I have been in contact with the Toronto Star about the issue of the Ford F150 leaky window problem and, except for one person, have not had any support or answers from anyone.  Now, Kenzie is allowed a lot of space for his pet peave – all should be allowed to travel in excess of 120 kmh on major roads, and even attack police enforcement but, when Ford produces a vehicle with a built in flaw and the consumer is expected to foot the bill, they won’t say a thing.

It reminds me of the Crown Victoria fiasco.  Due to their size and therefore carrying capacity, Crown Vics are a popular taxi and police vehicle.  Unfortunately, it was noted that they were susceptible to burning when rear-ended.  Many police officers were killed or injured while Ford refused to acknowledge this built in flaw.  Kind of like this leaky window problem.  If the press stifles complainers and Ford refuses to discuss it, the consumer has no way to be protected.  Oh, wait.  I don’t make large political donations and went to the wrong school  – University of Toronto, not Harvard or Yale.  I guess Ford will win in the end.  Now Toyota – they back up their vehicles and are non-union.  Why is non-union so great… I’ll tell you why next time.

 

Ford F150 – Does anyone have this problem?

Well, I certainly don’t feel loved by Ford anymore, even though they still flog the product and state they want my business.Recently in the news you have read about the crisis in our auto industry.  Due to the economy (rising fuel prices and sub-prime mortgage fiasco) the big three are feeling the pinch on their large models, particularly trucks.   Well, they built a real kingdom based on yuppies who wanted a truck but never use it for a truck and now those people are ditching the truck and going Japanese for the gas mileage. 

GM in Canada is closing its truck plant, even after the government gave them money to stay.  Ford is reducing their labour force as well.  But Ford saves money in other ways.

I own a 2002 F150 (bought from Kennedy Ford) that I maintained as per the manufacturers schedule.  After the warranty was over I noticed my electronics failing (blower, door locks, anti-theft lock, fuse panel, etc).  All were replaced at my cost.  By the way, that is 2 fuse boxes.  When the fuse box failed again, it was noted that I might have a leaky front window.  The dealer sent me to Speedy Auto Glass where I had the window repaired at my cost.  Now, what really hurts is, the window was not primed when it was installed at the factory.  This caused it to work itself lose over time (and after warranty of course) and cause a leak, which fried my electronics, not once but 3 times.

Ford refuses to touch this claim and will give me nothing in writing.  Now, they did verbally offer me $500 off my next Ford.  Mmmmm. They offer anyone with a GM or Toyota $1000 to buy a Ford – so much for client loyalty.

I did some research and found out there are at least 10 incidents of this leaky window problem lodged with the U.S. Department of Transport.  The same problems but even more -  wipers not working properly and electronics failing while the truck is being driven and, Ford has had fires but, no one has actually stated that the failing electronics caused the fire.  I understand from the complaints that Ford issued a bulletin to their dealers but nothing to the consumers.  I haven’t verified the bulletin though (Technical Service Bulletin 98-9-13 to the dealers about this and also Ford special message #15773 for this problem).  But, I wonder how many people have fixed their electronics without knowing the problem and just keep fixing the electronics and not the window, especially those that go to garages, not dealers.

I reported my problem to the Canadian Department of Transport and basically was told, tough, but we won’t do anything because it isn’t really a serious problem.

Now, Ford has had some recalls but this won’t be one of them.  I guess that is one way to stay in business.  Build a truck with a leaky window, don’t notify the consumer and fix the electronics when the vehicles come in.  How many windows are not fixed and the problem continues?

I don’t mind paying for normal wear and tear and understand that once off warranty, you’re on your own.  I can live with that but, when it is shown that the part was improperly installed at the factory, I think the manufacturer has some responsibility.  If anyone is aware of these problems, please let me know.  If anyone is aware of an accident that caused death or injury that might have had this electronic/leaky window problem, please let me know.  Maybe with a death or injury, the government, newspapers, press, and Ford, might publically notify owners they have been paying for repairs caused by an improperly installed window.

I wrote this originally elsewhere and have even written to the Toronto Star for assistance in notifying the public about this potentially dangerous problem.  As noted, I know of at least 10 other people who have this problem and have put it in writing with the government.  If you have this problem, I would be interested in knowing as I feel that this should be brought forward as at least a recall.  Toyota has recognized that their 1995-2000 Tacoma trucks have a rust problem and are either repairing or replacing the trucks.  If no rust visible now, they are extending the warrant to 15 years… Something needs to be done but Ford is trying to bury this problem.

Hello world!

Please note.  This blog is not affliated with Ford Motor Company nor any of its dealers, suppliers and does not speak on behalf of Ford.  This blog’s purpose is to inform the public of problems that the Ford F150 truck has, problems not necessarily published in public documents.  Your input will be greatly appreciated.