PR, Social Media and Ford: The battle for the 5.0L

Ford’s public relations is on the ball. This much I know. With all the talk about Toyota and Honda recalls, little has been mentioned about Ford having the most recalls in 2009. Issuing recalls seem to be the ‘it’ thing right now, apparent throughout the media and Ford is capitalizing. Toyota is going to Twitter (literally, not tweet) to combat the problem… but that’s another conversation.

Okay, -believe it or not- we are faced with an energy crisis, rising gasoline prices and mobs of environmentally concerned folks pushing for hybrids, electrics, bicycles and social responsibility. And I’m okay with that.

The reality is that we are living through another horsepower war, reminiscent of the late 1960’s, where big engines, big power and cheap gas was plentiful. While those days are long behind us, those kids have grown up and auto makers are again competing for their dollars. The ultimate American sports coupe war has been raised from the dead and is hotter than ever. It has been ignited by the rebirth of the ChevyCamaro, the Dodge/Chrysler HEMI anything, and the Ford Mustang...

This places Ford in a very difficult position. While pressured to produce efficient vehicles (which they have done) Ford’s marketing and PR continued to ask its customers - the die-hards - what they wanted. In yet another solid example of PR and social media, Ford embraced the fan pages and groups on Facebook, the Mustang and Ford enthusiast websites, forums and clubs.

They joined the conversation…

They connected.

The audience spoke. They (we) wanted the notorious 5.0L back in their beloved Mustang. So what did Ford do to juggle this issue?

Ford built a new media website, promoting the 2011 Mustang’s 5.0L and “unsurpassed fuel efficiency” (…for a 5.0L engine). Ford balanced what we wanted and a lil’ something for ‘them’. Genius. The buzz on the internet suggests that Ford will be selling the 2011 Mustang as fast as they can make them.

I find it interesting that amidst the age of environmental consciousness and awareness that we still seem to play naïve between our actions today and its impact tomorrow. Guilty as charged, but mannn I want one.


Laugh now, Cry later.



What do you think about Ford’s actions? Awesome or Irresponsible?