who decides what sells?

Those of us in the PR/marketing world can often find ourselves losing touch with the newest radio hits as our precious travel time in the car is used up listening to talk/news radio, as we absorb as the biggest news of the day, as fast as possible.  The same can be said of multitasking in the morning while trying to catch Today or GMA.

This morning I heard word of Ford’s new C-Max family minivan on both the Today Show and Paul W. Smith.  Lucky for me, the Today Show actually showed an image of this car.  The C-Max, which looks a tiny bit larger than a golf cart, is supposed to appeal to families and will even offer a third-row.

Excuse, me but I don’t really think I would be sitting in that vehicle with two people, let alone enough to necessitate a third-row.  I am the target market for minivans and I always buy Ford, why not ask people like me if that looks like a safe family vehicle that I would purchase?  From all of the buzz I have witnessed today?  Not interested.

Paul W. Smith asked a few Ford representatives on-air if this government push for more fuel-efficient vehicles will determine what Ford makes, and it turn, what consumers can buy.  One spokesperson for Ford was very adamant that the consumer decides what sells.

If that is the truth, and we decide what sells, then why am I so skeptical?  I won’t be putting my children in a vehicle that appears to be as safe as a clown car, even if it is fuel-efficient.  I would put money on the fact that people who purchase minivans are more concerned with safety, interior space and comfort over fuel efficiency.

Somehow, I am just not sure if consumers were clamoring for this C-Max.  We shall see.