Ford Motor Company
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Transcript of Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company
Design and Governance of the End User InterfaceSpring 2000BA 266: 2000-3
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Ford Decisions & Ford Decisions & GeneralizationsGeneralizations
• Channel Design Options• Determining EUI Value-Added Trade-offs• Pooling the EUI Product Assortment• Controlling Competition among EUI• Governance Options• Applying Pressure• Dismembering Channels and Conflict• Inventory Risk and Governance• Old Chinese Proverb
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EUI Design OptionsEUI Design Options
• Return to smaller dealerships
• Ignore service problem, continue shift to larger dealer/service centers
• Separate, localized service locations– Operated by dealers– Third parties (sub-franchisees, contractors)– Operated by Ford
• Warehouse channel to hold dealer inventory
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EUI V-A Trade-offEUI V-A Trade-off
• Increasing the distance of the EUI to the end user diminishes the V-A provided, ceteris paribus– Closeness to the end user enhances access, but will
reduce market size available to the EUI– Holding assortment constant, product turnover decline
– Broader assortment V-A is more feasible as the EUI distance to EU increases
• Corollary: There is a trade-off in the provision of assortment and access services by an EUI
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The Evolving Auto Channel?The Evolving Auto Channel?
End-users
Supplier
S&S Dlr. S&S Dlr. S&S Dlr.
End-users
Supplier
S&S Dlr. S&S Dlr.
S&S = Sales and Service
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Pooled EUI Product MixPooled EUI Product Mix
• The auto dealer provides a pooled mix of products (new & used cars) and repair services
• For early dealers, there was a match in end user access requirements and mix components
• With growth in supplier product line, TV advertising, there is a separation
• Corollary: Maintenance of a product mix with different end user V-A needs damages the channel equilibrium for products and service
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EU Service NeedsEU Service Needs
• What benefits do end-users seek in their selection of an auto-service center?– Role of cost/price
– Role of service quality (right the first time, fast)– Role of assortment, service capability (complexity)– Role of personal treatment by sales personnel– Role of distance
• How effectively can these services needs be satisfied within a centralized facility?
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End-users
Supplier
S&S Dlr. S&S Dlr. S&S Dlr.
Warehouse
End-users
Supplier
Service
S&S Dlr.
Service
Two Alternate EUI DesignsTwo Alternate EUI Designs
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Competition Among EUICompetition Among EUI
• Increasing the distance between EUI and the end user reduces the number of dealers and reduces intra-channel price competition a la Saturn
• Competition among EUI is an important factor driving channel price toward cost despite some EU dislike
• Corollary: Higher EUI prices damage channel equilibrium, opening opportunities for new channels unless politically blocked and/or brand demand is powerful
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• Separate service operations from product sales and decentralize improve consumer access
• Enhance dealer interest in service by increasing profitability
• Increase pressure upon dealers by stronger enforcement of service quality standards
• Buy out service operations from dealers and operate directly
• Reduce pressure on dealers for volume; enhance product quality
Some Governance OptionsSome Governance Options
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Governance ConstraintsGovernance Constraints
• What constraints limit supplier influence over dealer service quality– Limited power because of state legislation
making dismissal difficult– Propensity of many consumers to bargain
creates a unique transaction environment– Service is not seen as a strong profit center– Ford’s culture of strong sales orientation
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Applying PressureApplying Pressure
• Application of pressure for conformance:– generates conflict where dealers do not
perceive requirements to be fair or just– Is difficult to enforce because legal and
historical position of the dealer has reduced supplier power
• Carrots continue to do better than sticks– Dealers must be shown that good service
enhances their dealership, profits
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Pooled Service & SalesPooled Service & Sales
• Is there benefit to a common or pooled operation of service and sales in the same establishment?
• Is there benefit to a common ownership of service and sales, but not necessarily location?– To the new car dealer, end user, sale of used cars
• Would independent service facilities generate conflict within the channel?
• Change within a channel where power is closely balanced, benefits are unevenly distributed, and there is a lack of trust will generate chaos
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Warehouse Channel InventoriesWarehouse Channel Inventories
• Who will be responsible for inventory control?– The individual dealer?– The supplier?
• Both options create obstacles.– Dealers could not be individually responsible– If supplier were responsible, losses for cars not sold in
timely fashion would generate losses
• Inventory risk is best controlled by channel member that controls turnover
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Ford’s Perception of the Ford’s Perception of the Service-Sales LinkageService-Sales Linkage
• Product characteristics are perceived to be increasingly less significant in determining end-user choice
• What are the factors that determine dealer choice?– Model availability– Assortment– Price
• Consultants are prone to lead clients down paths they want to travel (old Chinese proverb)