Today Ford announced that a new website called “Your Ideas” will be launched to get feedback from consumers. The site will not only enable users to submit ideas, but it will also allow users to share, rate, and review other user-submitted suggestions.
The concept isn’t new, as other companies such as Starbucks have also embraced user-submitted content as a way to improve their business and engage customers. But the idea is certainly new to the automotive industry. In recent years, Detroit’s Big Three have been criticized for ignoring the demands of consumers, but with Ford’s recent activity in social media, and now the introduction of “Your Ideas,” Ford is certainly leading the way when it comes to listening to consumers online.
“Ford continues to push the envelope when it comes to engaging consumers in what’s next for Ford cars and trucks,” said Mark Fields, Ford president, The Americas. “We are going beyond traditional consumer market research, studies and focus groups. Ford is turning to the social Web as an innovative way of generating new vehicle feature ideas customers really want and value.”
“Your Ideas” will be a part of the Ford Story website, and will be a place where consumers can share ideas and voice their opinions on the next must-have technologies and guide the Blue Oval towards its next innovations. The site will also be a place for customers to discuss what they like or dislike about Ford vehicles, and where they believe improvements should be made.
“The Ford Story has connected with customers because it’s a place where Ford is sharing what is happening with the company is a more open and transparent way,” Fields said. “Through the site, people are telling us they feel a new unity with Ford because they can share their thoughts, stories and insights and take part in two-way dialogue with the people behind our products.”
Social media has helped open the door for countless companies to improve relationships with customers. Eager to embrace this trend, Ford has launched a number of social media efforts to promote new products, but also to help passionate Ford owners share their stories. Even dealers are following suit and jumping into social media and dealers such as Jacky Jones Ford see these initiatives as helping build positive relationships with customers.
“Innovation has always played a major role at Ford,” said Gerhard Schmidt, Ford chief technical officer and vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering. “We don’t believe that any one company or industry has a monopoly on good ideas; we embrace the fact that every good idea for our customers doesn’t have to start with us.”
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