Feb 2010 New Pickup Sales

[dgl24087]

Update 1: February 2010 Top 10 Year-to-Date Pickup Truck Sales - PickupTrucks.com News

 

[JB4310]

Yup, there was something on the news tonight about Ford sales being so much better than everyone else, cars and trucks.

What's changed???

JB.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I figured GM would be down but never figured Dodge was that bad off. I had heard they were in trouble but they are really getting killed.

I am really surprised the imports are doing so well. I figured the Toyota thing would kill the import confidence.

Chris

 

[JB4310]

I dare to say that maybe we've seen the bottom of the great recession, at least in some areas. Dodge's numbers have always been lower than the other 2 but still can't figure why Ford would be going up when the other 2 domestics are flat or going down.

I say maybe we've seen the bottom cause just today I was at the Dodge dealer for parts, and as soon as I walked in the door, it was immediately apparent something was very different from what I've seen there in the last year--- People, many of them, in all departments. It really surprised me.

JB.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I dare to say that maybe we've seen the bottom of the great recession, at least in some areas. Dodge's numbers have always been lower than the other 2 but still can't figure why Ford would be going up when the other 2 domestics are flat or going down.

I say maybe we've seen the bottom cause just today I was at the Dodge dealer for parts, and as soon as I walked in the door, it was immediately apparent something was very different from what I've seen there in the last year--- People, many of them, in all departments. It really surprised me.

JB.

Ford is doing well for one reason only. They did not take a bail out. Plain and simple. I know dozens of loyal GM and Chrysler customers that will never buy another for that simple reason, me included.

If I could sell my last remaining GM I would. I have had it list for 2 months now with only crazy low ball offers. You can not sell them around here. Too many folks lost GM jobs so there is much bad blood.

I have heard but not confirmed that some dealers are flat refusing to take GM products on trade due to the difficulties in selling them.

As far as the recession I do not think we have seen the bottom. I predict it will be 2-3 years to come out of it hopefully with a change in command.

Chris

 

[timswi]

Ford is doing well for one reason only. They did not take a bail out. Plain and simple. I know dozens of loyal GM and Chrysler customers that will never buy another for that simple reason, me included.

If I could sell my last remaining GM I would. I have had it list for 2 months now with only crazy low ball offers. You can not sell them around here. Too many folks lost GM jobs so there is much bad blood.

I have heard but not confirmed that some dealers are flat refusing to take GM products on trade due to the difficulties in selling them.

As far as the recession I do not think we have seen the bottom. I predict it will be 2-3 years to come out of it hopefully with a change in command.

Chris

GM's sell like crazy around here. There are Escalades, Tahoes, Yukons, Silverados and GMC's everywhere you look. I do agree about the bailouts, that was over the top. Bankruptcy and reorganization would have been preferable. I don't like private companies owned by the Feds, that's not what we're supposed to be about. Hopefully this is temporary.

But remember that Ford mortgaged itself to the hilt just prior to the credit disaster. They even collateralized the blue oval logo. If they wouldn't have gotten lucky with the timing of that leverage move, they'd be in the same boat as GM. Their product mix was/is no different.

Chrysler is a whole other story. They need Iocca back. K-car anyone?

 

[JB4310]

Ford is doing well for one reason only. They did not take a bail out. Plain and simple. I know dozens of loyal GM and Chrysler customers that will never buy another for that simple reason, me included.

If I could sell my last remaining GM I would. I have had it list for 2 months now with only crazy low ball offers. You can not sell them around here. Too many folks lost GM jobs so there is much bad blood.

I have heard but not confirmed that some dealers are flat refusing to take GM products on trade due to the difficulties in selling them.

As far as the recession I do not think we have seen the bottom. I predict it will be 2-3 years to come out of it hopefully with a change in command.

Chris

OK the fact that Ford didn't take the bail out money puts them in a league of their own, but it's to much a stretch of the imagination for me to believe people are so fiscally and socially conscientious that they are punishing the other big 2 with their wallets for needing aid. I'm sure their is some degree of that mindset going on, but not for that "one reason only"
The financial institutions also got bail outs and I don't see people boycotting banks.

As far as the economy goes I agree it's gonna be a long time before things really turn around, there's just been to much damage. I'm just hoping we're at the bottom at not still sinking.

JB.

 

[Diamondpilot]

OK the fact that Ford didn't take the bail out money puts them in a league of their own, but it's to much a stretch of the imagination for me to believe people are so fiscally and socially conscientious that they are punishing the other big 2 with their wallets for needing aid. I'm sure their is some degree of that mindset going on, but not for that "one reason only"
The financial institutions also got bail outs and I don't see people boycotting banks.

JB.

I guess its where you live. I am in the Auto Belt. When people loose jobs, benefits, ect they fight back with $$$$. They are not going to throw it the way of the companies who took everything they had away.

My areas largest town was 110,000 in the mid 90's. Its just around 55,000 today. I live in a small 2,000 population town just 5 miles from it. At one time nearly 1 in 3 worked for GM. Today there is not one single GM job left. Everyone had a father, brother, or mother who worked for GM. Its bad now. All the mom and pops could not survive and now close the doors and even just today Old Navy announced they were closing. We can not keep open basic restaurants like Ryans Buffet and Taco Bell. We have lost over 20 chain restaurants since last summer topping the list with Cheese Burger in Paradise, Dairy Queen, Long Johns, Boston Market, and O'Charlies.

The Chevy, Jeep, and Dodge dealer closed up in the last 2 years. We still have a Chevy dealer in the next town over but no Dodge. The Toyota, Nissan, 2 Fords, Hyundai, ect are doing fine.

Its not good in the midwest. I travel all over for my job and things are very different in other places. I just spent 3 days in Windsor Locks CT early last week before the weather hit. Today I am in Seattle and tomorrow off to Fresno. The thing I noticed today in Seattle while spending 6 hours downtown near the Space Needle was the amount of Subaru's, VW's, Audi's, ect. Very few domestics.

Chris

 

[timswi]

Its not good in the midwest. I travel all over for my job and things are very different in other places. I just spent 3 days in Windsor Locks CT early last week before the weather hit. Today I am in Seattle and tomorrow off to Fresno. The thing I noticed today in Seattle while spending 6 hours downtown near the Space Needle was the amount of Subaru's, VW's, Audi's, ect. Very few domestics.

What would you expect in Seattle?...It's all tofu, coffee and greenies..I'd be far more surprised if you actually saw any car bigger than a beer can out there.

 

[Diamondpilot]

What would you expect in Seattle?...It's all tofu, coffee and greenies..I'd be far more surprised if you actually saw any car bigger than a beer can out there.

I actually noted lots of Titan's, compared to Indiana, and a bunch of Hummers, Dodge/Cummins, F-350's, and F-150's all Pimped out with $5000 wheels. I was salivating. I did not see any stacks on the Diesels.

Not enough Red Necks I guess. I only wish I was staying though the 5th. Larry the Cable Guy and the rest of the crew are performing down town. I made the comment to my Co-Pilot that there would probable be a bunch of empty seats but in Indiana people would skip eating for a week to have enough money to see those guys.

Chris

 

[buck12]

Ford is doing well for one reason only. They did not take a bail out. Plain and simple. I know dozens of loyal GM and Chrysler customers that will never buy another for that simple reason, me included.

If I could sell my last remaining GM I would. I have had it list for 2 months now with only crazy low ball offers. You can not sell them around here. Too many folks lost GM jobs so there is much bad blood.

I have heard but not confirmed that some dealers are flat refusing to take GM products on trade due to the difficulties in selling them.

As far as the recession I do not think we have seen the bottom. I predict it will be 2-3 years to come out of it hopefully with a change in command.

Chris

I agree. I bought a new F150 in August and three dealers told me they were seeing people that had never owned a Ford or hadn't in years buying Fords for the simple reason that Ford didn't take tax payer money. Of course take it for what its worth in that it came from car salesmen. I will say that after having the new F150 for several months Ford hit a home run with this truck.

 

[timswi]

I actually noted lots of Titan's, compared to Indiana, and a bunch of Hummers, Dodge/Cummins, F-350's, and F-150's all Pimped out with $5000 wheels. I was salivating. I did not see any stacks on the Diesels.

Not enough Red Necks I guess. I only wish I was staying though the 5th. Larry the Cable Guy and the rest of the crew are performing down town. I made the comment to my Co-Pilot that there would probable be a bunch of empty seats but in Indiana people would skip eating for a week to have enough money to see those guys.

Chris

Sounds like there are some hoopies out there..There's hope yet.

 

[Big Bri]

Ford is doing well for one reason only. They did not take a bail out. Plain and simple. I know dozens of loyal GM and Chrysler customers that will never buy another for that simple reason, me included.

If I could sell my last remaining GM I would. I have had it list for 2 months now with only crazy low ball offers. You can not sell them around here. Too many folks lost GM jobs so there is much bad blood.

I have heard but not confirmed that some dealers are flat refusing to take GM products on trade due to the difficulties in selling them.

As far as the recession I do not think we have seen the bottom. I predict it will be 2-3 years to come out of it hopefully with a change in command.

Chris

Thats how i think it is around here, my dad a GM man for at least 40 years bought a Ford truck and an Infiniti G37, . . . he has never owned a foreign car.
i have a lot of friends who also have bought new Fords over GM and dodge. because of the bail out.
and as banks go i've put my money with a local bank that didn't take any money. I think its great that people a making a statement that they don't want the gov in our lives.

 

[crashz]

I'm still a fan of GM vehicles, but honestly, my next truck will be a new Ford. And the primary driver for that is the bailout issue. Doesn't hurt that I really like the the style and rugged-ness of the Superduty. But I digress.

I feel that Ford, even though they borrowed up to their eyeballs, did so following the rules of the free market. They took the risk and prevailed. They proved themselves to be sustainable, which gives their customers a sense of stability. The proof of that is actually in the parts departments. Try getting "dealer only parts" at a GM or Dodge dealer. Non-stock and back-orders are all you will hear. Or in my case "GM does not support that anymore" (refering to a wiring harness on my 2004 Sierra!). My father had an even worse experience with a his Dodge dealer regarding a common fuel pump issue on his 2004.5 Cummins diesel pickup.

And to add salt into the wounds (although I think all three manufactures are doing this in record amounts next year), many more components are being built in Mexico rather than the US and Canada. I know for a fact that the transfer cases for the new 2011 HD GM trucks will be assembled in Mexico, shifting production from the US plants.

 

[crashz]

Too late to edit my post above, but "proof" may be the wrong word, as I have not tried to obtain parts from a Ford dealer lately. They may be just as bad as the others. However my perception is that they would be a a better position to support there vehicles that the other two at this point due to rising sales.

 

[joes_427_vette]

If the truth were to be known... they are ALL getting handouts from the government. Too many jobs at stake. Just have to weed out the non productive plants ( wages & bennies vs product produced )
As far as sales... dealer service is the biggest reason. My area has a super Dodge Chrysler dealership. Tons of them in the area. About the only place you can trade them in and get a dollar towards another new one.
Personally I will never buy another new car or truck. Let the payment makers take the big loss and buy one two years old for one third the price.
They all talk quality but are more interested in parts and engine check lite testing at a hundred a pop. Gotta love those computers.
I agree with Chris.... There is more room to go down hill before the flats and level plains. The way they are printing money how can it be worth anything ? Some vacationeers are going to find out foreign countries will demand the conversion to their denomination for services. Watch the ratios spread.
The great president is busy in Haitti and now Chile.... handing out goods and services. Why don't he go home ( Chicago ) and help the poor living in the streets first. After all they are Americans who provided taxes to build this nation.

 

[JB4310]

I guess its where you live. I am in the Auto Belt. When people loose jobs, benefits, ect they fight back with $$$$. They are not going to throw it the way of the companies who took everything they had away.

Chris

Well based on the responses I guess I misjudged that factor.

How does CT look from the air to you? anything stand out as different from other parts of the country? Just curious

The way they are printing money how can it be worth anything ? Some vacationeers are going to find out foreign countries will demand the conversion to their denomination for services. Watch the ratios spread.

I thought one bright spot was at least the dollar is at a ten month high vs the euro. A little comfort in that.

JB.

 

[careyo63]

Just seen this on MSN. business yesterday.I would say this is creditable source so you have to give credit were it is due.:thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thats how i think it is around here, my dad a GM man for at least 40 years bought a Ford truck and an Infiniti G37, . . . he has never owned a foreign car.
i have a lot of friends who also have bought new Fords over GM and dodge. because of the bail out.
and as banks go i've put my money with a local bank that didn't take any money. I think its great that people a making a statement that they don't want the gov in our lives.

Same thing here on the banks. I have had my money in a local bank for the last 11 years. They were just ranked #18 in the country.

As for CT it is beautiful like everything is from the air. Just got a good look at Mt Rainer, Mt St Helens, and Crater Lake this morning on my way from Seattle to Fresno at 39,000' and 520 mph. Its a great job and easier than working.

Chris

 

[RollingsFarms]

you can also throw me into the category of buying a Ford truck next time. i am 99.9999% sure of it. i've always been a GM fan, i own a Chevrolet truck, my dad's always owned them, my mother drives a 08 Malibu. I just can't and won't support the people who are in charge of GM and Chrysler. Ford seems to be making the improvments in their trucks that interest me more then GM has been doing lately. has anyone taken a look at the thin sheetmetal on a GM truck lately? you'd be safer in a Coke can i think. pathetic. the 2011 SD really caught my eye and the more i read about it the more i like it! i hope one of those will be sitting in my driveway in the next few years. i'm 99.999% sure that one will be:thumbsup: