I have been into my local ford dealer and they are unable to help me with a demo of the new ST. After considerable talking i have been told i can drive one for 10 minutes around the block and i have to insure it. I have asked about a full days demo.... no chance. Asked about them insuring it..... no chance.
I then asked the so called sale assistant would you buy 20 grand car based on a 10 minute run round the block

She replyed.. I didn't even test drive mine, I just like the colour. Enough said Mc Donalds for you dear Burgers and fries please

There seems to be a few posts where people can get a car for a number of days ... Where from?. please help I need an Orange ST2 / 3.

 

Where abouts are you? Had 2 test drives in an st-2 and again in an st-3 3-5door both drives where at length.

Try Benfield on York Road A64 in Leeds if your any where near.

If not just try and find another Ford dealer that will take you serious, cos it sounds like there not giving you a chance to test your future drive.

Darren

 

Newcastle under lyme and the Ford Dealership is Bristol Street Ford. Avoid at all cost... waste of time as you can see.

Thanks mate for the info i will try further a field.

 

How old are you Justin, and why an Orange one for test driving purposes the colour is surely irrelevant?.

 

32 and the colour is irrelevent for a test drive, but i want to purchase an orange one if i like the drive. I already have an ST170, cosworth, series one turbo and xr2i so whats fords problem or do they need to see the pound notes first

Funny i didnt seem to have the same problem at Audi, honda, vw, seat they could'nt do enough for a potential new customer

 

At the moment Ford dealers have to do no work to sell the ST we can't get enough cars to meet the demand,so that is probably an influencing factor.We do not expect customers to insure cars for test drives though currently we dont even have a demo car,overnight demo's are only likely to be offered to repeat customers or Ford employees.I am not aware that any of our customers have had the vehicle overnight.Some dealers have access to Fords own company demo's and i can see those being lent out over a period of a few days especially to large companies, institutions and the like.Ford recently supplied us with six S-Max's to loan to our local council for a month.At the end of the day its down to the individual dealer.
On a more encouraging note,if you like your current ST in any way shape or form your likely to love the newer model as it is a far superior beast.

 

I understand what you are saying about the demand, but when you are willing to part with in excess of £20 grand i would expect more than a 10 minute trip around the block. Also to be an existing customer you first have to purchase a car and this may have been my first of many cars so i think improvements need to be made somewhere. This combined with the lack of help just lead to very poor customer service.

 

They are all fair points Justin,its going to be a case of finding a dealer willing to do it and worth bearing in mind that though it may be costing you £20,000 very little of that is profit for the dealer he needs you to come back for serviceing and the like to see some sort of decent profit.I think that situation is becoming more common among other brands now as manufacturers cut the margins and give dealers ever more difficult targets to hit.Im sure there will be a dealer out there who takes a shine to you and will help you out,though Orange ones seem to have dissapeared at the moment.We have customers who buy new cars every 6-9 months they would be those top of the list of repeat type customers.

 

Yes some good points there espacially about servicing and that, and yes dealer targets will increase as this is a very competitive market, but there is something we have missed. A car or anything else is only worth what people are prepared to pay for it, so therefore a high demand and a shortage ensures a high price. Its not only ford its everyone, Sony do it most years. They launch a new product and advertise a short fall in product to fill the demand.

However
Perhaps if production was increased and more sales were fullfilled, thus more profit perhaps there would no need to sell Jag or Land rover.
I work for a large OEM and although our order books are full to mid next year we are continuing try an increase our sales further. Im sure someone has an overall plan somewhere for the future.
Anyway nice chatting to you and thanks for your comments. i will continue my efforts for an ST and good luck with your targets. Justin

 

Good points again Julian but Mr Ford is unlikely to listen,sadly the days of the manufacturer caring about what the dealer thinks seems to have passed.I have been asked to speak at a meeting with Ford soon and will raise as many points as i can.

 

Double post.