Croc

OK let's try and stay on topic here...so far I am having a hard time finding official sources for Mercury's target market as well as sources for Mercury's design language and how FMC intends for that design to appeal to the target market. I know a lot of this stuff seems basic and obvious, but that's why it's hard...I need sources and proof beyond "I read it on a message board..." Thanks for the help already, and keep it coming!

Thanks guys! Keep it coming...

Somebody woke up with a bad case of diaper rash :lol:

TOO MANY LIGHTS TOO MANY CANDELA :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I know...for real, right?

Thanks!

No, but if you were driving a Mercedes S-Class you might have a case :lol: But if it happens in a steel tunnel it's your own fault because steel "confuses" the system...

THANK YOU!! also...any good sources for sales data? like YTD, performance so far of Milan and Mariner? Is Mariner Hybrid out yet? Sales of Montego vs Sable...... thanks thanks...

LoL, What's that Toyota fanboy doing posting on a GM message board? :lol:

No, Chery isn't going to be in the US for at least another year or two, if ever.

I am doing a marketing paper analysing the Mercury division of Ford, and I would appreciate it greatly if anyone could help me find some sources for this. the paper is due in a week, and the sooner I can find some info the better. The following are the assignment parameters...and I would appreciate any help/insight regarding these as well as information as to where I can find some good sources. Thanks!  Requirement: critique the marketing strategy for a brand or product of your choice, within the automotive product category.  The paper will have three sections. o Cover page – Provide your name, project name, and lab instructor name. At the bottom of the page, type the phrase “This paper is my (or “our” if there are two of you) own work” and sign it. o Section 1 - describe the marketing environment. This section will be 3 – 4 pages in length. Use primary and/or secondary sources to gather your information. The 3 C’s (company, competitors and context - includes macro-environmental factors) will be included here. Emphasize how one or two main competitors compete. o Section 2 - describe the marketing mix. This section will be 3 – 4 pages in length. Use primary and/or secondary sources to gather your information. Explain how this marketing mix helps the brand compete. o Section 3 - critique how the brand (or product) is being managed from a marketing perspective. Tell us what you like and what you don’t like. Offer recommendations if applicable. Share with us your reasoning for your judgments. This section will be about 5 pages. I pretty much copied everything and pasted it here...but yea if anyone has any advice/ideas on analyzing the Mercury brand I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

What's terrible about it, Josh? Is it poorly designed or just the fact that people are not yet used to them? They really work well in suburban areas. I think most major arteries do best with signals.

I like J-Lo a lot...one of the few actresses/singers who actually have the talent IMO to back up the body and fame. "Enough" was a great movie.

I have heard anything from 2 weeks on/2 weeks off to 4 weeks on/2 weeks off. I think I am going with the latter because the timing will be convenient. So far I like it and zero negative side effects.

I didn't say Kappa was expensive to develop, but we are looking at 8 year product lifecycles to break even, unless more variants are made to spread out the costs...

During high-peak times, this is no different than metered onramps onto freeways.

But they are better than Bravada. It really is the nicest of the GMT-360s.

Either way it will be an incredible interior. It really has changed very little from the concept, and as long as they maintain the little chrome ring around the center stack it should look pretty money.

GM will not make a profit on the Solstice any time soon. Kappa is a platform that will most likely NOT create profit for the company. If they break even they will be in good shape. All of the markup on Solstice goes to the dealer, not GM.

...and in this case they are correct. I liked the succinct, thorough explanation enough that I quoted it because I knew I couldn't explain it better myself.

I love roundabouts. They are putting them all over Carmel, IN and they are GREAT! Only thing is that some people are too stupid to do them right, but whatever.

You are right...I thought it was flush on the original concept but upon closer inspection it is not. That said, the radio units would not need to have the shape changed, merely the trim piece surrounding the center stack would need to be contoured to provide a "flush" fit. It could be contoured to be flush against the radio and HVAC controls as well as the dash. But it wasn't in the concept. As for piano black, it was announced that will be a Saturn feature, not just for the SKY. Also, if they can do it to the SKY, they could use the same units in the AURA, could they not?

No, go ahead and write about it. And don't worry about offending anyone, I'll do it first: The LaCrosse is a piece of sh!t and the W-Body is cheap and ugly. The greenhouse is so stuck into the early-mid 1990s that it is like a car showing up to prom in a retro costume. The fake wood interior trim looks like it came from an aftermarket EXOTIC WOOD DASH kit. The headlights make it look crosseyed. Interior volumes were barely competitive in 1992 and are simply outclassed today. The engine is barely adequate. Features are severely lacking for a "luxury" car. This car is NOT an upscale version of an Impala, it is an upscale version of the 1996 Lumina. There. Now your turn.

From Wikipedia: Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECA_stack

I dunno...the DTS just looks awkward, and I think the Lucerne will be the breakout hit of the group.