Officially upset at Ford Australia - but we're now friends again

[Thunder]

To cut a long story short, I am looking to replace my current SUV. The best alternative is the Ford Territory, unfortunately I don’t want to “settle” for it, but I would like to enjoy the purchase.

I said “settle” because, compared to my current ride, both the Territories engines are significantly less powered and the Territory is down on standard features and options. However I will ignore this for the sake of BUYING AUSTRALIAN! I also mean “settle” as I really want a Sports SUV (like the old Territory Turbo) and I am willing to pay cash, but nothing in the Territory range is available.

I have contacted Ford Head Office and whinged with the following issues:
1, If (as has been stated by ford) the SUV segment is stronger than the large RWD sedan segment, why is it that the Falcon’s range has the choice of,

A) 4 cylinder Petrol Turbo
B) 6 cylinder Petrol
C) 6 cylinder Petrol Turbo XR Spec
D) 6 cylinder Petrol Turbo F6 Spec
E) 6 cylinder LPG
F) 8 cylinder Supercharged GS spec
G) 8 cylinder Supercharged GT spec

…and yet the Territory only has 2 engines?

2, If the SUV segment is stronger than the large RWD sedan segment, why is the Territory AWD only available in 1 engine choice?

3, If the SUV segment is stronger than the large RWD sedan segment, why is the Falcon available in more body colours than the Territory?????? I am not old, not chained to a woman, have no ankle biters (all said as a joke) and yet I want a Territory! Surely they can give me a colour choice better than Black, White, Brown, Dark Brown, Light Brown, Real-Light Brown and Burgundy???????


ANYHOW: i will "settle" for the Territory Titanium but I want a Territory in SWIFT or MARS RED.......not ready to die yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all.

[TheZHLANE]

Buy a 2nd hand terri turbo

[|Nate]

If you can pay cash, just go buy this and leave Ford alone!

Most of the people that do purchase large sized SUVs use them for putting around the city, suburbia or cruise on the highways. If the 147kw and 4xx (?)nm of the diesel Terry isn't enough for you, then go Euro or a used Terry Turbo.

[Nikked]

Well...

TX
TS
Titanuim

and

TX limited edition

All with the choice of AWD and Diesel.

Thats 16 different combinations, with a colour range dictated by trends in sales...most SUVs are in dark or light silvers...

[flappist]

I suspect the reason why the Territory is so restricted in engines is that the ones that you wish to buy, i.e. I6T, was a rather dismal failure as far as sales were concerned so it was not worth certifying it in later models.

If any model or variation is no longer popular and fails to sell in enough numbers then it suffers the same fate as LTD, Fairlane, Panelvan, XR8, manual Fairmont/G6, F6X, RTV etc.

If you really want a powerful SUV there are quite a number around but your budget will have to be a lot higher.

[Thunder]

Originally Posted by flappist

I suspect the reason why the Territory is so restricted in engines is that the ones that you wish to buy, i.e. I6T, was a rather dismal failure as far as sales were concerned so it was not worth certifying it in later models.....

Did it sell more or less than the current ecoboost falcon? Lol

Originally Posted by flappist

....If you really want a powerful SUV there are quite a number around but your budget will have to be a lot higher.

And i guess the first vehicle springs to everyones mind is the Jeep SRT8 right? Never again will i buy a Jeep. Mentioned it before in other posts, having issues with a Grand Cherokee now, thats why i am looking for a new SUV.

Australian made means a hell of a lot more to me now with my dramas. Sure a German sports SUV might be better, but not for 2 to 3 times the price of a Territory Titanium.

[fou_bleu]

Why not just buy a (new or used) Terry and mod it if performance is so crucial to you? Best of both worlds if you ask me...

[janddbone]

Originally Posted by flappist

I suspect the reason why the Territory is so restricted in engines is that the ones that you wish to buy, i.e. I6T, was a rather dismal failure as far as sales were concerned so it was not worth certifying it in later models.

If any model or variation is no longer popular and fails to sell in enough numbers then it suffers the same fate as LTD, Fairlane, Panelvan, XR8, manual Fairmont/G6, F6X, RTV etc.

If you really want a powerful SUV there are quite a number around but your budget will have to be a lot higher.

You have sadly described the Falcon range and the fate for the rest of them. Sad sad days.

[mcnews]

I hear your pain. unfortunately if he went sh terri turbo he has BA engine. Latest Territory with FG xr6t donk would be great, and yes there is that much difference in the fg engine in regards to drive/economy/power/torque everything is miles better. New terri deserves fg turbo engine. i would buy one. in every other way apart from engine, dynamically the terri miles ahead of the competition, including 100k+ euros. the engines are their major failing.

[atec77]

Originally Posted by mcnews

I hear your pain. unfortunately if he went sh terri turbo he has BA engine. Latest Territory with FG xr6t donk would be great, and yes there is that much difference in the fg engine in regards to drive/economy/power/torque everything is miles better. New terri deserves fg turbo engine. i would buy one. in every other way apart from engine, dynamically the terri miles ahead of the competition, including 100k+ euros. the engines are their major failing.

You think the ford motor is better than some of the EU motors ?

perhaps you need to really open your eyes ?

[Thunder]

Originally Posted by atec77

You think the ford motor is better than some of the EU motors ?

perhaps you need to really open your eyes ?

You should re-read his post.........think someone else needs their eyes open! Lol

[mik]

Originally Posted by atec77

You think the ford motor is better than some of the EU motors ?

perhaps you need to really open your eyes ?

53 years of development aussie inline 6 , you think euro`s are so much better???

[JG34JA]

Great write up Thunder, lots of humour and character. Good choice (found the new diesel as you described it) & hope it goes well for you.

[Falcman0o7]

Nikked....

Telling em how it is since 2007 hahahah

[Joe5619]

The only point I'll agree with you on is the color selects. Why all of the Falcon colors aren’t available in Territory is wrong. Especially when you consider this what cost NIL to fix.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

The only point I'll agree with you on is the color selects. Why all of the Falcon colors aren’t available in Territory is wrong. Especially when you consider this what cost NIL to fix.

I woudn't say its costs nothing to add a new colour...

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Nikked

I woudn't say its costs nothing to add a new colour...

Really?? Just add a few of the falcon colours. The paint is ready in the factory!! Even if they were 100% built only to customer order. Just a suggestion

[greenfoam]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Really?? Just add a few of the falcon colours. The paint is ready in the factory!! Even if they were 100% built only to customer order. Just a suggestion

That new green on the Falcon is niiiiiiiiice by the way. I bet a Territory would look stunning in that green.

[Stefan]

The F6X offering was dismal for the $$$ and it's fate was sealed as a failure when released.

It needed an aggressive body kit, flares and big wheels at the very minimum, it got none of that..... Basically it needed to be in your face.

[Auslandau]

I would say its because they have done the figures and found that a massive percentage bought what is now on offer and when Turbos, FPV variants were available they sold bugger all?

Compared to all the other competitors in that market I would think that they have it fairly right. Very hard these days to have all sorts of variations just to cater to that few percent and keep the price competitive.

[MAFIA]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

I would say its because they have done the figures and found that a massive percentage bought what is now on offer and when Turbos, FPV variants were available they sold bugger all?

Who really done the math and figures as the marketing and advertising team are really bad at what they do at Ford HQ here in Oz!

[greenfoam]

10% of Fords problems have been a shift in the market, 90% is simply from being too far removed from the public. They have noooooooooo idea what the public want. 90% of it is 100% their own mismanagement.

I'm guessing they don't go on the internet or read what people say so I don't know what's the point of us all whinging which is in our own way just trying to help. But it's not working..

How hard would it be to get rid of one bland colour x on the line and replace it with yellow or red.. I mean it makes sense to have some different things to cover your bases. 8 shades of bland may as well be one shade of bland

Cars like the Territory cost a lot of money you should at least be able to get exactly what you want.

[Resurrection]

Originally Posted by greenfoam

10% of Fords problems have been a shift in the market, 90% is simply from being too far removed from the public. They have noooooooooo idea what the public want. 90% of it is 100% their own mismanagement.

The last person at Ford who knew what people wanted was the late Geoff Polities. His many years working in the selling game made him very knowledgable. Hence why Ford Australia bloomed during his reign.

[dimka100]

For anyone in the market for a nice SUV you must watch the latest episode of Top Gear!!! (download it ...)

The review of the latest aluminium Range Rover is simply stunning, makes you wanna sell your balls and kidneys ...

[MAFIA]

Originally Posted by dimka100

For anyone in the market for a nice SUV you must watch the latest episode of Top Gear!!! (download it ...)

The review of the latest aluminium Range Rover is simply stunning, makes you wanna sell your balls and kidneys ...

Screw that as every soccer mummy driving them!!! Thunder, place you order for one of these muscle!! Simply stunning 2014 SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee. You won't be disappointed, just ask Grunter!

http://www.drivesrt.com/2014/grand-cherokee-srt/

[Thunder]

Originally Posted by MAFIA

Screw that as every soccer mummy driving them!!! Thunder, place you order for one of these muscle!! Simply stunning 2014 SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee. You won't be disappointed, just ask Grunter!

http://www.drivesrt.com/2014/grand-cherokee-srt/

Im not buying another Jeep. Once bitten by a lemon, twice shy!

Dont understand how parts can take 3 to 6 months to arrive through dealer warranty claims, yet one click online, deliver in 7 to 14 days! And they suck! Lol

[Peuty]

That's pretty much it. The regular Territory owner only cares about whether they can get to soccer practice in time on a Saturday, not whether you can get a hi-po engine etc etc.

The relatively poor sales of the Turbo Territory and F6X confirms this.

[mcnews]

do you own one? owned one? considered owning one?

[Peuty]

Sorry?

[Kable72]

The territory wasn't supposed to be a performance vehicle. It was designed as an Australian SUV to do your shopping, take your kids to school and sports practice, visit your mother etc.

If you want an Australian performance car, go buy an SS or an XR6T/FPV