Is This Ford's Biggest MISSED Opportunity With The Raptor Brand?

Many vehicles out there have both fans and haters but in our experience we've yet to meet a hater of the awesome Ford Raptor.

Not only one of their biggest sales successes but the 'mystique' it brings to the Ford truck brand is most like impossible to calculate.

2017 Ford Super Duty Photo Gallery

So good, that the other truck brands have NO real answer to it.

The Rebel just came out but it's a real stretch to think it will dent the Raptor.

So HOW could we at Auto Spies have the nerve to think there is a large missed opportunity for the Ford team?

Because that's what we're know for. Out thinking our competitors and seeing future potential that maybe even the brands themselves don't see.

So humor us here and give us your opinion.

Not a truck person on earth, doesn't think the Raptor is cool.

But what are the TWO things stopping potential dreamers from owning one?

1. Price
2. Potential gas expense (it's NOT a sipper)

So then, what is the opportunity the Spies see to fix that?

How about pulling a BMW style move like they've done with the 'M' brand?

Used to be a time when the only way you could get the 'M' look was to buy an actual 'M' car.

But the smart marketers at BMW started taking chances and began offering the 'M' Sport kit on other cars. It took off SO well, you can get the 'M' look on virtually anything they sell.

Can't afford an 'M' or the gas and expenses that come with it? Then buy a standard 3-series or other model with the M-Sport kit and get the BEST of all worlds?

And everybody wins. The customers happy and BMW is happy because they just increased the average selling price in those product lines that offer it.

I own an F-150 and I know if I could have checked the order box for 'Raptor Appearance Kit', there would have been NO doubt I would have said yes.

I don't need the full performance capability of the Raptor but I would just LOVE that GRILL with the yellow marker lights and the graphics, etc.

So I would have had the look that I love as well as the awesome fuel economy from my 3.5 Eco-Boost motor.

So what do you say Spies?

Should Ford roll the dice and give our idea a try and see what happens?

Would YOU buy it if it was offered and you were in the market for a pickup truck?

Spies, discuss...

And don't forget to check out our awesome 2017 Ford Super Duty Photo Gallery

valhallakey - 8/1/2016 5:33:51 AM

+3 Boost

Harder to answer than you make it out. I believe some people buying the Raptor and paying for all that brings want a "bespoke" look. BMW does off the M Sport treatment but it is still easy to tell a real M from an M Sport. If Ford took purely that same approach, add some of the aggressiveness the Raptor has but ensure that you can still distinguish the two, then yes...Ford should go for it.

deaHelkcunK - 8/1/2016 8:08:54 AM

+2 Boost

IMHO it seems a little showy to dress a vehicle into something it's not. I much prefer the more fun to drive higher performance content without the "look at me" styling. Under promise, over deliver.

MDarringer - 8/1/2016 9:18:43 AM

0 Boost

Instead of putting the Raptor look on a regular F150, I'd play around with the notion of doing something with the Atlas name and creating another high-profit truck.

Agent001 - 8/1/2016 12:58:42 PM

+2 Boost

But you all have to ask yourself the business question...Is it better to sell 50k Raptors or 50k + 300k with a 5k 'Raptor Appearance Package' added to the oder list?

001

MDarringer - 8/1/2016 1:04:48 PM

0 Boost

I destroying the allure of the vehicle is the goal, then do the option package.

Agent001 - 8/1/2016 12:59:21 PM

+3 Boost

But you all have to ask yourself the business question...Is it better to sell 50k Raptors or 50k + 300k with a 5k 'Raptor Appearance Package' added to the order list?

001

dumpsty - 8/1/2016 2:35:05 PM

+2 Boost

Only thing is, there are a lot of consumers that would definitely take the "Appearance Package" vs the true performance upgrade.

I've seen too many used "base" cars with the sport package/kits. Yeah, they look like the higher trim/performance model, but don't have the bigger engines or interior content that the "appearance kit" implies. And I wonder how many unsuspecting car buyers have been duped by the lower suspension & chrome trim & big rims only to have the "base car". See 80% of the used Chrysler 300's (non-Hemi) online.

eleung123 - 8/2/2016 2:59:52 AM

+2 Boost

Just built my 2017 Raptor at dealership; paid $5000 above base model MSRP with no discount on options and accessories !