The Ford Motor Company’s large Social Media footprint coupled with their “One Ford” philosophy has helped the company come back from potential
bankruptcy. Ford just announced their Best Third Quarter Ever, which
marks their sixth consecutive quarterly gain. Currently the company is
on track to paying off their debt by the end of 2010, one year ahead of
schedule, and plan to create 1,200 news jobs at their Detroit Area
plants.

Ford’s CEO Alan Mulally credits Ford’s comeback to cutting brands on focusing on their Ford products. “We have a laser focus on Ford” Mullaly said.
After recently awarding Ford “Marketer of the Year”, Ad Age
publications credit Ford’s Vice President of Marketing, Jim Farely, and
his aggressive social media campaigns aimed at millennials and baby
boomers a like.

A lot has happened for the Ford Motor Company in 2010. Mercury was phased out and the Fiesta Movement begun. By the end of October, the all new 2011 Ford Fiesta looks to sell 1 Million Units worldwide. This is
thanks in large part to Ford’s use of social networking sites to target
tech savvy consumers.

Ford’s use of Social Media doesn’t end with debut of the Fiesta. The company has also had a hugely successful Facebook Launch for their 2011 Ford Explorer. Ford also plans to repeat their success with these by
launching a new social media campaign to promote the Ford Focus.

Ford’s national level social media campaigns have created a lot of opportunity for their Hometown Ford Dealers, but there are still opportunities for car dealerships that don’t have as much social media
support from their manufacturer. Potratz offers a series of Automotive Marketing Webinars geared towards helping your dealership focus on a social media strategy that works no matter what brands your dealership sell.

PAUL POTRATZ