After looking at some old Ford ads and articles for another thread, I came across this 1906 Model N ad. Ford is suggesting a competition between the Model N and any other car selling for $1,000 or less.
In the ad, cliches "Now, let's play ball" and "Lay on Macduff" are used. I thought this was a pretty aggressive ad and a bit amusing to read 106 years later.
An excellent reply indeed by Ford!
"Gratuitous assertions are worth face value, no more. They don't amount to shucks unless they are backed up... sales people who talk loud and ??? are willing to make good."
I guess the market sorted this out for them not much later.
John,
Surprisingly, at the time of this ad, Ford is already (or just about to become) the leading auto manufacturer in the US. While we know the Model T "created" it's own market worldwide, Ford already led the US in auto sales with the introduction of the NRS cars.
I think GM (by 1908/09 this included Oakland, Buick, Cadillac among others) was second.
Rob