The F1 Plot Thickens...
Discussion
I don't want to sound like a killjoy here. But while its wonderful to see Aston Martin investing considerably in promoting themselves as a high tech, luxury, F1-type brand, producing hypercars et al, it would also be nice if they invested some money in doing the basics right with existing customers and cars to whit:
1. Sorting out the paint issues (if you can build a hypercar, surely you can paint an ordinary car without the paint bubbling after 12 months around the door handles).
2. Communicating with existing customers. Again one of the basics for any modern company; have a CRM system that allows you to send out appropriate and timely emails to the existing customer base and one that allows you to target car launches, car sales etc at them
Feels like the part of the company the media sees is very advanced and modern and then the part we customers get to interface with is stuck in the last century.
There I did sound like a killjoy
1. Sorting out the paint issues (if you can build a hypercar, surely you can paint an ordinary car without the paint bubbling after 12 months around the door handles).
2. Communicating with existing customers. Again one of the basics for any modern company; have a CRM system that allows you to send out appropriate and timely emails to the existing customer base and one that allows you to target car launches, car sales etc at them
Feels like the part of the company the media sees is very advanced and modern and then the part we customers get to interface with is stuck in the last century.
There I did sound like a killjoy
RobDown said:
There I did sound like a killjoy
Not at all Rob.
My garden waste dump run car is a 22 year old GM repmobile. At 120,000 miles, the paintwork has lasted surprisingly well, and still looks really good even after having only the occasional waxing. A so called Timeless, hand built premium car, costing 10x the new GM price, ought to have even better paintwork, and when they become aware of more bubbles than a fish tank, should have sorted the fault immediately years ago. Mirror arms often have more peel than an apple. A disgrace.
Customer communication - no excuses with the technology available today.
Perhaps the new customers buying the £m AMs, get a different standard of after sales contact.
They might even get a magazine, remember that? With so many adverts, it probably even cost nothing to send out. I get dealer emails, but nothing now from Gaydon.
Jon39 said:
Perhaps the new customers buying the £m AMs, get a different standard of after sales contact.
Hmm... you might be on to something there.I'm a three time customer, but not of the $million+ model variety. Recently, I had a problem on my V12VS that resulted in MONTHS of time at the dealership (two separate visits in 2016 and 2017). The problem has not recurred since the car was returned to me, but I had zero, zilch, nada contact from anyone to see if the car was running to my satisfaction.
In contrast, I have had a series of daily drivers acquired through my local BMW dealership, and they are religious in their after sales and after service followup.
As per above, don't forget about the core business. F1 might be sexy, but really?
I can't fail to think that F1 is past its time - so with AML getting into it they are picking the wrong moment and start spending money (they don't have) on something which the board and the CEO can indulge themselves in. Its a private company so they can do what they like, but it is not something that I find remotly brand enhancing.
quench said:
Jon39 said:
Perhaps the new customers buying the £m AMs, get a different standard of after sales contact.
Hmm... you might be on to something there.I'm a three time customer, but not of the $million+ model variety. Recently, I had a problem on my V12VS that resulted in MONTHS of time at the dealership (two separate visits in 2016 and 2017). The problem has not recurred since the car was returned to me, but I had zero, zilch, nada contact from anyone to see if the car was running to my satisfaction.
In contrast, I have had a series of daily drivers acquired through my local BMW dealership, and they are religious in their after sales and after service followup.
As per above, don't forget about the core business. F1 might be sexy, but really?
More brands are moving to direct sales in some form, they should also move to direct customer care and marketing. Existing customers are the biggest priority, they're easier to up-sell to and are advocates for the brand and products.
t than watch F1 but the above point can't be ignored.
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