Social Listening- Ford

    The company I am choosing produces some of the most reliable vehicles on the road. Ford produces vehicles equipped for any style. Everyone has their own opinion or taste in vehicles, but coming from someone who grew up in a Ford family, I can assure that getting your hands on one would not let you down. " Built Ford Tough", was the companies slogan for roughly 20 years with the indication that they produce the most durable and resilient vehicles on the road. The Internet today is a mashup when it comes to trucks and who wants what, due to the long set rivalry between Ford and Chevy. What interested me about this product would have to be my very own experience driving a Ford f-150. The truck has the best interior out there, comfortably sitting up to four passengers; also the best off road feel giving me assured safety anywhere I go. 

    Fords value proposition is to help people move freely and pursue their dreams by making mobility more accessible and affordable. The company voices how putting the customer need first is the Ford way and fostering safe and inclusive work environments for any and all drivers. Ford is the way to go.

    Recently, Fords 2024 f-150 Raptor edition has been getting nation wide attention for being Fords best off road seller. The truck contains a 3.5 Liter v6 engine and reaches to 450 horsepower. Being one of the fastest stock trucks on the market, people around the world have been going crazy over this truck! 

Here you can see some love and support on one of Ford's latest instagram posts, featuring NorCal Raptor Runs embarking on a 1000 mile journey through Baja California. NorCal Raptor Runs are a Ford based club that go on long distance trips in all their favorite trucks and document them. As you can see, @fordrangergram, commenting "that looks like an insane amount of fun", revealing that the ford community runs deep!! @damiansraptor says, " This is awesome" and Ford replies back, "Its in our DNA." Constant feed back from Ford drivers and genuine communication between Ford and its drivers is necessary in an industry of such fame. Proof that Ford does it for their customers. 

    In another post related to one of their new f-150 models, you will find comments like @paigegurski, who claims the truck is "majestic as hell", with a reply from Ford saying, " Truly a force of nature". Such back and forth once again proves, Ford does it best while always communicating with their fanbase. 

    Fords primary marketing aspect would have to be, the releasing of electric, diesel and gas powered trucks, vans and cars. Ford uses digital tools like digital twin technology. While you may be asking what that is, at https://www.ford.com/technology/ford-digital-experience/ Ford will enlighten you themselves. Digital twin tech is used to monitor and improve the performance of its productions lines and energy plants. Digital twins are virtual representations of of physical objects or systems that use real-time data with decision making. Ford is very good at being up to date with all their socials and interacting with their fanbase through Instagram, Facebook, X etc. Ford's marketing challenge today would be their constant growing competition with foreign automakers. Ford has to differentiate themselves by delivering innovative and high-quality products consistently. Ford is on track to lose $5.5 Billion by the end of this year. This is due to their recent struggles with EV marketing. The American consumers are less willing to pay a premium for battery-powered vehicles. Jordyn Grzelewski, a known publisher for https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2024/08/28/ford-s-ev-retreat-reflects-broader-market-challenges states that the pivot for this would be to double down on segments where they have seen great success. Commercial vehicles, pick up trucks and hybrid/electric 3 row SUVs, seem to be the most sought after vehicles made by ford. In doing so, Ford will be able to remain succeeding in the market with their original and classic gas powered vehicles. 

    Fords response costed them, the automaker company decided to also reduce the share of annual capital expenditures on electric vehicles from 40% to 30%. The result of such a move was a non-cash charge of roughly $400 million. Although the cost was a heavy set back, Ford seems to have found counters, by reliving their normal success with their most purchased vehicles and also finding ways to respond to the electric vehicle crisis. 

    If I was the head manager at Ford, there isn't much I'd do differently. This is due to Fords constant media intertwinement. Ford is always ready for a friendly comment section conversation on every post and they love to publish their best-sellers. 

    This assignment taught me that social influences can have a strong affect on a companies success. Driving a Ford has yet to let me down and I would recommend the brand to anyone.