GM truck launch a threat to Ford

[Ramair-WS6]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...603170345/1014

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GM truck launch a threat to Ford

Analyst: Models will hurt F-Series
March 17, 2006

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BY SARAH A. WEBSTER
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER




Through February, F-Series sales represented 26% of Ford auto sales. (Ford)

Ford Motor Co. could watch sales of its profitable F-Series pickup truck fall as much as 5% after crosstown rival General Motors Corp. launches its new pickup trucks later this year, according to an automotive analyst who downgraded his outlook for the Dearborn-based automaker on Thursday.
"We expect GM to take notable share from Ford in the full-size pickup segment in 2006 and, particularly, in 2007," Himanshu Patel, an analyst for JP Morgan, wrote in a note to investors.
As a result, Patel cut his rating on Ford to underweight, which means he predicts it will underperform the market for the next six months to a year. That rating is widely viewed as a sell recommendation to investors, and the change is significant: Patel was the last auto analyst who recommended buying Ford shares.
Now, Patel is one of 12 analysts who recommend selling Ford shares, according to data from Bloomberg. Another eight are neutral on the stock.

[ChevroletRevived]

It looks like 2006/2007 might see some sales increases for GM. The SUV's & Trucks coming out, the Impala, DTS, HHR, ect coming into their stride. Go GM! I can't wait until New York next month!

[AJR]

I totally agree on this. Ford really has two (2) models that are keeping it afloat right now. One is an enthusiast's dream in the new Mustang, and the other is the high volume F-Series. Everything else is mediocre and 2nd tier in the grand scheme of things.

This reminds me of when Chrysler Corporation's ONLY saving grace was the minivan and look what eventually happened there. Ford is in the same boat with its F-Series truck in that a killer effort by GM (and Toyota) in the full size truck market could be very devastating for Ford Motor Company.

Maybe when Ford gets some car people in there that are aggressive and want to build top grade products in every segment (that includes Mercury and Lincoln) will Ford see better days. I'm not counting on it with the current team in place.

[01cavalier]

I would for the most part agree with Ford, though I do think the Fusion will do them well also. If GM does have a 5% impact on Ford truck sales, that will be a huge chunk, not to mention better market share for GM.

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by 01cavalier

I would for the most part agree with Ford, though I do think the Fusion will do them well also. If GM does have a 5% impact on Ford truck sales, that will be a huge chunk, not to mention better market share for GM.

It will be interesting to see if the Fusion's recent sub-par crash test results hurt its sales until Ford either makes side airbags standard or improves the structure of the car.

I want to see all domestic brands do well, but if Chevy and GMC trucks can beat up on those oversize, overweight, blandly-styled F-150s a little bit, I'm all for it.

[Ramair-WS6]

For the first two months of the year, sales of the F-Series trucks are up 6.2%. But, compared to last year, consumers bought 3.8% fewer Chevrolet Silverado pickups and 6.6% fewer GMC Sierra pickups, as they prepared for the newer versions of those models to come to market. GM's new pickups are slated to hit showrooms sometime this summer.
As a result, GM captured 27% of the pickup truck segment through February, while Ford captured 29%.
It's difficult to overstate how important those F-Series sales are to Ford and its profits. Through February, F-Series sales represented 26% of Ford auto sales.

I think this is the most telling stat. Ford with it's much newer truck only has a 2 percentage point lead over GM's, what, 7-year old truck. It is looking like that the GM GMT-900 SUV's and pickups are going to really put a dent in Ford's truck and SUV sales.

[RamJet502]

As long as they sell well and help GM to turn a profit, I couldn't care less about Ford.

[redfox]

do away with gmc trucks and have silverado trucks only and they would already out sell ford trucks.

[SSrevolution]

And the 2007 Motor Trend truck of the year is...

[Gm786]

Originally Posted by RamJet502

As long as they sell well and help GM to turn a profit, I couldn't care less about Ford.

Same for me.

[kool_zx3]

Originally Posted by Ramair-WS6

I think this is the most telling stat. Ford with it's much newer truck only has a 2 percentage point lead over GM's, what, 7-year old truck. It is looking like that the GM GMT-900 SUV's and pickups are going to really put a dent in Ford's truck and SUV sales.

Back in 2003 when the f series was going on 7-8 years old it was still was still selling near 900,00 trucks. The f series and silverado could be a hundred years old and still sell like crazy.

When the 2004 f150 came out, it put a dent in GM and it will probably happen this time with the new GM trucks, this isn't rocket science.

Plus if GM dumped GMC, it would be the dumbest thing ever. People buy GMC's for a reason.... it's the classier truck... which is the whole reason why my buddy's dad bought his sierra, he hated the silverado. If they dumped them, a good bit of people would look elsewhere for a truck and that's all gm needs, people to buy elsewhere.

I think GMC sells more sierra's in canada then chevy sells silverado's.

"Maybe when Ford gets some car people in there that are aggressive and want to build top grade products in every segment (that includes Mercury and Lincoln) will Ford see better days. I'm not counting on it with the current team in place."

What do you call the edge, mkz, mkx, milan, fusion, 500, montego, 2007 expedition, 2007 navigator etc.... Ford has a fine car lineup in place with other product on the way.

Anyway, it's a no brainer GM is going to steal some sales, it happens everytime someone releases a new truck.

Got to give it to freep for reporting the obvious though lol

[kool_zx3]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

It will be interesting to see if the Fusion's recent sub-par crash test results hurt its sales until Ford either makes side airbags standard or improves the structure of the car.

I want to see all domestic brands do well, but if Chevy and GMC trucks can beat up on those oversize, overweight, blandly-styled F-150s a little bit, I'm all for it.

Fusion side air bags are standard starting this fall.

Also the f series trucks are far from bland, atleast a few million owners don't think so

From what i can tell, the new silverado is nothing more then a redone tahoe..... If it has all smooth sheetmetal and a tahoe type front end, i will be very disappointed.

[justn]

Originally Posted by kool_zx3

From what i can tell, the new silverado is nothing more then a redone tahoe..... If it has all smooth sheetmetal and a tahoe type front end, i will be very disappointed.

Even if this is the case, Ford will lose its crown, just look at how well the SUV's are moving off the lots.

[jbartley]

Originally Posted by Ramair-WS6

I think this is the most telling stat. Ford with it's much newer truck only has a 2 percentage point lead over GM's, what, 7-year old truck. It is looking like that the GM GMT-900 SUV's and pickups are going to really put a dent in Ford's truck and SUV sales.

Exactly, isn't that the truth.

[Mikkoo]

Originally Posted by justn

Even if this is the case, Ford will lose its crown, just look at how well the SUV's are moving off the lots.

I expect that to happen also.