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Old 09-10-2020, 09:35 AM   #9
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Ford verse Chevrolet

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue-Truck-Nut View Post
Chevrolet made some changes. I think it was 29 they started offering a 6 cylinder in the cars, and Chevrolet actually out sold Ford for a number of years. I don't think Ford regained leadership in new sales until 32 when the V8 came out.

Our beloved little Model A's were in fact an attempt to recover sales, mostly lost to Chevrolet, customers wanted power, brakes, and comfort offered by others, namely Chevrolet, that the Model T's just didn't provide.
Several things to comment on. Ford outsold Chevrolet in 1929 (his biggest year) and in 1930. In 1931 Chevrolet outsold Ford nearly 3 to 1, and it would be several years after before Ford would regain the sales lead.

Something that folks need to understand. The Chevrolet was a much better automobile than the Model-A. The '29 Chevrolet engine was 15% more horsepower than Ford's A, -the color selection was better, and the trim levels were more plush. Ford realized this in 1930, -hence the reason for the DeLuxe models to be introduced.

One other HUGE factor in Ford's success was his distribution. Ford had something like 4x the amount of dealers as Chevrolet during the Model-A era. Ford set up Agencies in rural areas where Chevrolets were not. People had learned about not being able to get parts for their implements and automobiles locally and conveniently.

The final thing is it was a different clientele of the two manufacturers. Car owners from the teens and early 20s were used to vehicles without windows or fixed roofs. In other words they froze during the winter and got wet when it rained. By the Model-A era, if Buyers could afford it, they bought closed cars because they were tired of the cold and wet weather when driving. Even with that said, Ford still sold many Roadsters, Phaetons, and Biz Coupes (-draft canvas tops) because they were inexpensive. Chevrolet sold very few Roadsters & Touring cars during the Model-A era. Their Coaches were their big sellers because they were a better value over a Ford IF you had a local dealership to service you, and if you could afford it. Very possible that Chevrolet could have dominated Ford in all years had there been Chevy dealerships in each of the small rural towns. Frugality of the typical Model-A owner is what preserved most Model-As. That, ...and the rural ownership that kept them away from urban areas where 'scrap-drives' were more prevalent.
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