Ford F-150 is one of the most popular motor vehicles in the United States market. Although individuals use it as a commuter vehicle, Americans think of the car as a business tool. The towing and hauling abilities of this vehicle heighten its demand in the United States. Customers look for trucks that can pull a considerable amount of weight and make towing easier. Matousek (2019) argues that Ford introduces useful features to increase the F-150 series stability and comfortability to change lanes. Besides using advertising strategies, such as online selling, Ford Motor Company creates value for its clients to promote its products. For instance, the organization included innovative, unique features in the F-150 series, such as over-the-air updates and a hand-free highway driving system, to create value. According to Wayland (2020), the enterprise ensures that the F-150 hybrid model achieves fuel efficiency and delivers excellent performance. Additionally, this car comprises an integrated generator that powers tools at work sites. Ford Motor Company includes useful features in its F-150 series to create value and satisfy customers' needs.
Role of the Customer in Company’s Mission
Ford Motor Company focuses on its mission statement to improve product effectiveness and make customers' lives better. Accordingly, the organization aims at benefiting its target clients through mobility. According to Thompson (2019), Ford's mission is "to make people's lives better by making mobility accessible and affordable." This statement enables Ford to focus on individuals' mobility and involve all stakeholders, including partners, customers, and employees, to enhance its cars' quality through innovation and technology. Notably, the organization is committed to contributing to humanity by introducing useful features that satisfy clients' needs. Apart from enhancing individuals' lives, Ford Motors Company ensures that people enjoy the freedom of movement to drive their progress. For example, Ford F-150 is made to offer a secure, comfortable, and free way to move. The enterprise believes in giving customers the freedom to travel to achieve their daily objectives quickly. However, the company's mission could have more focus on customers' safety. Besides offering a free and comfortable way of travel, Ford should ensure that its clients are safe while driving their products. Therefore, the organization should introduce safety features to protect people's lives. Although human beings need comfort, safety is a critical aspect of reducing the deaths in road accidents.
Part 2: Company Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
• Ford has a strong brand value. The firm's products are recognized in many parts of the world, including the United States. Farooq (2019) maintains that its brand value amounts to $11.21 billion, creating excellent customer loyalty. A strong brand value implies that Ford is capable of expanding to other markets and secure a competitive edge, and make considerable profits
Weaknesses
• Ford has a limited global network scope of production. Accordingly, the company closed its production facilities in Europe, which undermines its international presence. Rowland (2017) asserts that Ford is losing its competitive advantage to Toyota since the former has advanced production branches in different parts of the world. This weakness implies that Ford is incapable of competing with firms that have excellent networks across the globe.
Opportunities
• Ford focuses on autonomous driving technology that will help it meet the changing customer trends and demands. For instance, the organization manufactures driverless cars to improve traffic conditions and reduce road accidents. This opportunity implies that Ford could attract many clients, enabling it to secure a competitive in the automotive industry.
Threats
• Ford faces stiff competition from leading automotive firms, which invest in research and innovation to improve their quality and satisfy customers' needs. Due to this factor, Ford's market share has shrunk in different parts of the globe, including Japan (Pratap, 2019). This threat implies that Ford needs to conduct extensive research and development to enhance its innovation and quality to meet clients' demands.
Competitive Analysis
Criteria Ford F-150 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Ram Dodge 1500
Engine performance 5 3 2
Durabed 3 5 3
e-Torque system 4 2 5
Total 12 10 10
Overall, Ford F-150 is the addition while Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Dodge tie. However, the cars perform best in respective areas. For instance, Ford F-150 scores the highest in engine performance, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 performs well in durabed, while Ram Dodge 1500 is leading in e-Torque system (Oleinicjul, 2018). Notably, the results indicate that Ford F-150 experiences stiff competition from other products in the automotive market. Accordingly, each car has a stronghold that attracts customers to purchase it. Although Ford F-150 is leading, Ford Motor Company should conduct extensive research and development to meet clients' innovative needs in the market. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ram Dodge 1500 tie overall. In retrospect, Ford F-150 should work hard to manufacture cars that satisfy customers' needs to secure a competitive edge in the automotive market.
References
Farooq, U. (2019). Ford SWOT analysis. Marketing Tutor. Retrieved from https://www.marketingtutor.net/ford-swot-analysis/
Matousek, M. (2019). Towing capability is the one thing Ford F-150 customers want more than anything else, according to the head of marketing for the best-selling truck in the US. Business Insider. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/ford-f-150-customers-want-towing-capability-2019-7?IR=T
Oleinicjul, A. (2018). 10 new pickups that could dethrone the Ford F-150 (10 that are wild cards). Hotcars. Retrieved from https://www.hotcars.com/10-new-pickups-that-could-dethrone-the-ford-f-150-10-that-are-wild-cards/
Pratap, A. (2019). SWOT analysis of Ford Motors 2019. Notesmatic. Retrieved from https://notesmatic.com/2019/04/swot-analysis-of-ford-motors-2019/
Thompson, A. (2019). Ford Motor Company's mission statement & vision statement: An analysis. Panmore Institute. Retrieved from http://panmore.com/ford-motor-company-vision-statement-mission-statement
Rowland, C. (2018). Ford Motor Company SWOT analysis. Panmore Institute. Retrieved from http://panmore.com/ford-motor-company-swot-analysis
Sample Solution