Your new Ford with a side of bacon
By Bo McDonald
Anyone can sell you a car. Chances are there is a dealership on every corner in your city. Cruise the “motor mile”. You’ll see messages of “Factory Rebates” and “Low Financing” posted in obnoxious neon colors at every showroom. Prices don’t vary much; neither does the selection unless you’re looking for something very specific. So how can dealers compete for business? Think beyond the immediate transaction of buying the car and becoming a resource after the sale.
Ford is doing just that. In an effort to differentiate them, they’re now offering its commercial customers an updated vehicle graphics tool to promote their businesses with flair. In fact, going one step further, Ford recently updated the Commercial Graphics site with the addition of 5 million images from Getty Images. They’ve improved the tool’s dashboard to allow users to be more creative in designing their vehicle wrap. Designs aren’t limited to stock photography. Users can also upload their own images or work with a graphics professional through 3M, to create customized wrap packages for their Ford fleet vehicles. In the words of midnight infomercials, wait, there’s more! The tool also features a social media sharing function, allowing customers to get input from their community of fans and followers.
Not a business owner but still want a cool looking wrap for your vehicle? Ford has you covered too. Ford is introducing a bacon-wrapped car with designs for the 2014 Fiesta. You can wrap your new Fiesta in bacon graphics for only $3,300 extra. If you’re not all in on the bacon wrap, you can choose bacon racing strips for $191 or a side of bacon, which is a strip of bacon over each rear wheel, for $318.
In recent years, Ford has done a great job of revitalizing its auto design. And they’re taking the next step to help differentiate them from the crowded commercial vehicles sales market. Now is a great opportunity for you to evaluate your brand. Are you happy with being a commoditized transaction? Or could you benefit from standing out from the competition by truly being a partner and asset to those who choose to do business with you? Financial services is a crowded field, full of banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and predatory lenders all seeking the same share of wallet you are. Stand out, and set yourself up to win.
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