Have sales stopped?

[Norman]

It appears there's been a big decline lately for the new Thunderbird. That's not a critical statement because I like this car better than any other I've ever owned. However, now you can find them sitting unsold on dealer lots when just a short time ago, all of a dealer's allocation was sold long before the cars arrived from the factory. What has happened? Did the people who were unable to get a new TBird lose interest and buy something else? Did Ford produce a lot more cars than it planned to at first? Or, is the winter weather that has dried up sales?

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[HeelBird]

Norman,

I've counted 8 Birds in the Kinston area, which is kind of a large number for a town of 28,000. Evans Ford was allocated 3 cars in year 1, and Amadeus was the first of them. They've since sold 5 more, getting them from other dealers in the area that are not moving the cars. I know one of them came from Jacksonville...Sanders Ford asked Evans to take one of the 2 that they had, since the troops were starting to pull out of LeJeune....that one was a white one with a black top, and the buyer attends the same church as I do. Fortunately, I have the only T-Bird Blue car. There are a couple of red ones, 3 black ones, 2 whites.

 

[tbird]

Originally posted by Norman:
What has happened? Did the people who were unable to get a new TBird lose interest and buy something else? Did Ford produce a lot more cars than it planned to at first? Or, is the winter weather that has dried up sales?

IMO....
Winter Weather always hurts convertable sales. I would not expect to sell a Mustang Convertable all Winter.

Weak Job Security in jobplace, weak economy.

Consumer Debt for consumable goods and services. (credit card debt)

Last Year's model!

Over Production. 30,000+ it quite a large market to meet for a 2 seater 40,000 cars.

 

[Tbirdman]

On the subject of slowdown in T'Bird sales - Could it be that there is only a small market for personal luxury,two seat convertibles? Perhaps the 2002 models soaked up a good portion of that limited demand. Is this why Ford produced two seater T'Birds for only several years in the 50s?

 

[MIDAS]

Slowdown!!! Should be here in hi tec, but not.
I live In Austin Texas and as of now there are 7 New 2003 Birds on lots (3) and at least 2 2002. The dealers here still want MSRP +++ on 2003. But they also say make offer.
I have a new Red, Red, & red accent that should be here any day from a dealer near here at a good deal compared to local dealers. Will see, Hope We like it as we did in 55-57.