Ford Has a Lot Riding on the LR3: Gotta Make It Right

[Colt45]

Hello everyone - - As you probably know, Ford owns Land Rover - - and also Jaguar, Volvo, and Aston Martin. These companies make up their Premium car line. Ford had hoped that they would account for 1/3 of their total profits. - - Volvo has been doing well. But, Jaguar and Aston Martin have been losing money. Land Rover had high costs related to the launch of the LR3 - - but sales for the Range Rover and LR3 have been going well this year. IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF FORD AND TO THE VERY SURVIVAL OF LAND ROVER THAT THE LR3 DO WELL. Land Rover and Jaguar have had issues regarding their reputations for reliability in the past. If such issues crop up and aren't promptly handled regarding the LR3, the word will get out (via the car press and the internet) and Land Rover will be in trouble. - - - As a new owner of a newly designed and built vehicle (the LR3) I appreciate that there may be 'teething problems' associated with it. I bought the car knowing that beforehand. - - - I can accept such problems (up to a certain point) if the dealer and Land Rover does all they can to make right whatever problems occur. So far, the 'Wow' factor of the LR3 makes me willing to tolerate the problems that have come up. If Land Rover does right by me on the 'teething problems' they will have a customer for life who will buy many more vehicles. If not, I'll dump the car, buy from another manufacturer (probably Japanese), and answer honestly to those who ask them my opinion about it. As happy and satisfied LR3 owners we can be one of Land Rover (and Ford's) greatest assets. As unhappy and dis-satisfied customers we can be one of their heaviest liabilities. - - - I hope 'the powers that be' at Land Rover and Ford are thinking "We've gotta do whatever it takes to satisfy and keep our customers." - -

 

[askewed]

I was thinking the very same thing today.

 

[disco1]

I agree, however, the thing that puzzles me is, that considering the size of the corporate structure of Land Rover, both before, and now, since the Ford take over, that they have never chosen to input into the many forums to at least get an understanding of issues/problems their customers may have. What great PR that would be!

 

[Colt45]

disco1 - who knows, maybe someone at Ford and Land Rover does check out the feedback from the various forums online. - -

 

[grommet]

People that work for LR/Ford unofficially browse forums, obviously. A few have even posted. But none of this is official. I can't think of one major manufacturer that takes direct feedback in anonymous Internet forums.

The fact is that there are "official" methods to escalate & track issues customers are having.

We're still a minority in the big picture. And we're obnoxious, too.

 

[askewed]

It works for TiVo.

 

[GadgetRick]

Having worked for the marketing department in a large organization (Minolta) I can tell you people do tend to browse forums. However, they cannot see them all and they certainly can't respond to everything. Counterproductive to do so.

And I wouldn't say LR would have a problem if Ford were to continue having financial difficulties. They would just begin to sell of stuff like LR to others who would be more than willing to pony up for them.

 

[Colt45]

Land Rover & Jag had been having problems for years. Ford hoped to turn them around and to make them into new sources of profit. Ford has been losing millions of dollars over the years from these two companies and that situation can't continue indefinitely. Jag is still losing money but things are looking up at Land Rover. - - - If they jump on any quality issues that come up right away (probably the greatest negative factor in terms of how the auto consumer thinks of them) it will be a great story. - - Ford needs the LR3 and Land Rover to do well. Land Rover needs to do well in terms of sales & profitability in order to survive long term. - - Land Rover has some great new products. They need to address the reliabilty issues if they want to stay around. - - - (P.S. - - when several friends and acquaintances heard I have a new Land Rover LR3 among the things they usually mention is "Aren't they in the shop a lot ?") - - I read an article dated last year and it said that Land Rover came in dead last in the JD Power survey in term of quality - - - but on a positive note it said that they were the most improved company also. - - So far I'm hanging in there with my LR3 even though its been in the shop for 2 weeks of the 4 weeks that I would have been able to drive it. (I was also out of town on vacation for 2 weeks. Total ownership time is 6 weeks.) - -

 

[disco1]

With regards to the LR3 (I have expressed this view on other forums), I think it looks ugly from the outside. I haven't seen the interior as yet, but regardless, it won't change my opinion., however, I have heard that performance wise it's quite awesome. I miss not seeing the rear tire on the back, and, I believe the computer controlled 'everything' is future disasters waiting to happen. Where all this is heading is, when you break down, instead of seeking advice on the forums, you will be going straight to your friendly dealer.

 

[Freeflytim]

Thanks disco1, really helpfull to the thread. Tho you've never been near one, you are now the de-facto expert on the disco3. I guess no advice on this board is worthwhile.
I like your sig. Did you know that the new Disco3 has a dual (redundant) braking system in case the primary goes out?