Australia's best car stalled.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I don't believe diesel is the answer now either, i think the diesel boat sailed last year....

It's not the solution - it's best time was last year, yes.

BUT.............

Toyota are murdering Ford in that SUV market now. Pajero & Kluger.

Now if Ford had a facelifted Diesel Terra' they'd have some incremental volume - compared to what they're getting now.

[|||]

i like to be an optimist. if ford falls over soon at least we wont have to see the day when the falcon is a FWD V6

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

It's not the solution - it's best time was last year, yes.

BUT.............

Toyota are murdering Ford in that SUV market now. Pajero & Kluger.

Now if Ford had a facelifted Diesel Terra' they'd have some incremental volume - compared to what they're getting now.

Ummmm.. pajero is Mitsubishi...
Kluger is hardly "murdering" the terri either...
SUV's have dropped off in popularity too, small "eco friendly" 4cyls are the go, thanks to oil prices and the rediculous decisions our elected Govt is making.. or shall i say Made...

[Mark351]

If they'd only had an eGas option. Plenty of aftermarket installs means people aren't overly fussed losing some space in order to save $$.

[Johndec]

The whole SUV sector is in free fall. I have a mate who is fairly high up in Toyota and he says that although they are still moving Prados, they are pretty much giving them away to get them off the docks...

Don't forget that although the Terry design dates back to 2004, the Prado hasn't changed since 2003. And I can tell you from personal experience the famous "Toyota Resale Value" is now a myth especially for Prados.. I just traded a 5 year old Prado (current body shape) in better than average condition and the best I could get was 30% of the the original price. A 70% depreciation!

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Ummmm.. pajero is Mitsubishi...
Kluger is hardly "murdering" the terri either...
SUV's have dropped off in popularity too, small "eco friendly" 4cyls are the go, thanks to oil prices and the rediculous decisions our elected Govt is making.. or shall i say Made...

Ooops by Bad mate. I meant Prado. Prado, Pajero........

Territory used to outsell the two Toyota's combined.

The number's for July where:

SUV Medium
1. Toyota Prado – 1404
2. Ford Territory – 1028
3. Toyota Kluger – 970

That's about 2 1/2 times the Territory's sales = They are murdering it as a tag team compared to the numbers even 18 months ago :

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

Ooops by Bad mate. I meant Prado. Prado, Pajero........

Territory used to outsell the two Toyota's combined.

The number's for July where:

SUV Medium
1. Toyota Prado – 1404
2. Ford Territory – 1028
3. Toyota Kluger – 970

That's about 2 1/2 times the Territory's sales = They are murdering it as a tag team compared to the numbers even 18 months ago :

The Prado isnt a true competitor to the Territory.. its a genuine largish 4WD.
Ford don't offer a true competitor to the Prado.
Therefore Territory STILL outsells its true competitor the Kluger.

[rodderz]

A lot of people are going the Prado however as they pack plenty of grunt for a 3Lt turbo diesel.

If the Terri diesel program had of gone forth years back, when diesels were popular they could of taken advantage of it, and then looked into the future as to what to do with it. Now they are behind the 8 ball

[Wretched]

The time since Geoff Polities left to now has seen pretty much no product development, no new innovations introduced into alternative fuels. The LPG system offered is shamefully outdated. It's Ford's own fault, not the government's, not buying public but Ford who thought they could ride on the initial success of the BA and Territory without further developing. They missed the diesel ship and the export ship.

I can't see even the Focus saving Ford Aus now. It's game over!!
Hope to be wrong.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

The Prado isnt a true competitor to the Territory.. its a genuine largish 4WD.
Ford don't offer a true competitor to the Prado.
Therefore Territory STILL outsells its true competitor the Kluger.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Ford used to 'boast' about Territory outselling both - it doesn't anymore.

BTW Klugar has been outselling Territory recently on it's own.

[SSbaby]

Hate to be the bearer of more bad news but I read an article on GM's decision to turn Pontiac into a small-car, FWD brand. What that means for the Commodore derived Pontiacs is anyones guess but GM is not dedicated to the RWD program apart from Camaro.

Sad all round.

[mik]

Ford should be pushing the egas option to the max, and promoting distance traveled per dollar rather than lp100k, although with the economic downturn at the moment most low middle income earners will be severly hesitant about putting their neck in the noose regardless of how good the current models are, for those of us on meagre incomes, the world economy also has an impact for us big picture watcher`s , and the media is plenty guilty of affecting the outcome of business with predictions of doom and gloom imo (if there`s no bad new`s ....cause some, it sells more papers).

[JC]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Media just love sinking the boot in. Kick em while their down.

Toyota will become a cult soon, if the media keep it up. Territory sales down, well deerr its a 2004 design, an update will be here in 09.

Sorry, but where have you been for the last 20 odd years? Toyota is already a cult - every grey haired cardigan wearer drives one, LOL.

I don't think the article is a kick down, more like spelling out reality. I've always said ford marketing couldn't sell a beer in a brewery - just look at what Holden has rebadged the humble old wagon as; based on the advertising alone, it's got me interested.

[Dave_au]

Originally Posted by Johndec

The whole SUV sector is in free fall.

The figures don't really support a freefall, at least in the medium sector in which the Terry competes.
From FFAU's own tech section





Bit depressing for the linear on the Falcon v Territory chart

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

The figures don't really support a freefall, at least in the medium sector in which the Terry competes.
From FFAU's own tech section

There you go. Segment is up about 70% and Territory volume is reducing.

Not great....

[Johndec]

I happily stand corrected regarding sales figures, however I'd love to see the "profit per sale" figures... They would make interesting reading.

[Dave_au]

Originally Posted by Johndec

I happily stand corrected regarding sales figures, however I'd love to see the "profit per sale" figures... They would make interesting reading.

Actually agree with you there, but something they will never publish, economies of scale would prob give the win to the Japanese though :(

[JC]

Holden are offering virtually free SVI conversions on the VEs to move them out the door - I'd be surprised if Ford don't follow suit. They should do that instead of offering the useless "SR" options -maybe they should rebadge as "SV" option pack, and you get LPG, alloys, space saver spare and tint or something for the same price as a TX.

[apolloxbgt]

I think ford are doing free gas on the utes already.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by apolloxbgt

I think ford are doing free gas on the utes already.

How much would it cost Ford to fit gas?

I wasn't a fan of the 'SR' pack, but a free LPG conversion on the ute is a great idea, IMO.

[apolloxbgt]

Originally Posted by Rodp

How much would it cost Ford to fit gas?

I wasn't a fan of the 'SR' pack, but a free LPG conversion on the ute is a great idea, IMO.

They would have to buy in the components.And if you get the gas for free I would think ford would want the govt. rebate?

[BFZ Wagon]

I like the Territory. But it's a shame the LPG option is only an aftermarket one and the tank is only a small 68L. Why isn't there an E-Gas option for the Terry like the Falcon Wagon/Ute. A dedicated LPG Territory would be great. I'd buy one. but then again...I'm only 1 person. I can't see them doing a diesel version in the near future. They keep dragging the chain on that decision.
That's my rant for now ;)

[the_scotsman]

Originally Posted by irlewy86

However why this vehicle didn't get to England where the soccer Mum car is god and Ford of Europe lack anything bigger than a Mondeo is a bit daft.

Ford have the Galaxy in Europe...similar to the Tarago. Those type of vehicles are a shitload more popular in the UK than 4WD/SUV vehicles.

I reckon the Galaxy would do well over here, I loved them when they first came out.

[ltd]

The reason for no export program to the USA is simple, the american auto union would not allow it. Even to replace the crown vic was going to cost ford USA tens of thousands of jobs, and it was unpopular with the american public to the extent that the union indicated they would start a negative publicity campaign to make Ford suffer as well as make the australian replacement unpopular. Further, thanks to the auto union of the states staff have a lifetime pension from ford and this was considered far too costly.
The media are a bunch of hacks who are just aligned with socialist propaganda and sensationalism for the sake of circulation/ratings. The current economic conditions Australia finds itself in are akin to a technical recession as we have experienced negative growth from the beginning of the year aswell as companies insulate themselves for the downturn by laying off staff. Party politics aside, this is where we need to have someone smart in charge that can stimulate investment and not succumb to scare-mongering (what were they thinking?). Further, the current drive by the current govt in turning Toyota into a surrogate Australian company through championing their products based on spurious science supporting the global warming scam is economic vandalism at its best. No, the current mob we have in power need to really think about the messages they are sending out, and they actually need to think on how their policies affect the wider Australian community such as in the automotive manufacturing sector. If they were really serious about the global scamming then they would drive LPG commodores and falcons or terry's; but no, they prefer the petrol statesmans. Finally, they would also invest heavily into ethanol with sugarcane which currently is not on the free trade agrrement and an industry in peril; as well as offer incentives to the use of E85 for the manufacturers like ford and holden. Seems there is so much irony in the latest round of hogwash from the government, they seem to only like one brand at the behest of Australian jobs. Sort of like how Milhouse bought all those dorky comic books with the guy with glasses as the superhero.

[bathurst77]

They should have at least given Terri a facelift by now. Lights, grill, dash etc.
WOuldnt have cost much and would have given sales a kick.
They did leave territory to fade.

[FlipXW]

Originally Posted by ltd

The reason for no export program to the USA is simple, the american auto union would not allow it. Even to replace the crown vic was going to cost ford USA tens of thousands of jobs, and it was unpopular with the american public to the extent that the union indicated they would start a negative publicity campaign to make Ford suffer as well as make the australian replacement unpopular. Further, thanks to the auto union of the states staff have a lifetime pension from ford and this was considered far too costly.

Would it be possible for the yanks to also build the Falcon over in the states? As in we keep designing and building them here in OZ, then the US scraps the Crown Vic and starts making Falcons. Surely it would be more profitable to build the same car even if it is in two different countries.
Just a thought, I may be completely wrong.

[Yellow_Festiva]

This may change things?

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...rticleID=56457

[Carby]

Originally Posted by Hunter

The commodore and the falcon only sell as many as they do because of FLEET SALES. Amongst private buyers the Commodore is ranked something like 5th - The Mazda 3 and the Corolla top the list!

So What?? Fleets have a choice on Low Rollas ans Mazda 3's as well!

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Carby

So What?? Fleets have a choice on Low Rollas ans Mazda 3's as well!

Fleet sale: I drive a car that someone else is subsidizing or paying for.
Priviate sale: I drive a car that I am paying for.

Ever wondered why Telstra staff car parks are full of XR6s, XR8s, Territories and SSs.....

[Dave_au]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

This may change things?

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...rticleID=56457

Another interesting (and some what concerning) article - although written by (IIRC) Holden loyalist journalists.

Concerns highlights in bold:

Originally Posted by drive.com.au

Falcon is dynamite, but no longer the focus: Ford boss

Toby Hagon and Richard Blackburn, drive.com.au, August 26, 2008

The next-generation Falcon will form the basis of large Fords all over the world, but a small car is the big Focus locally, according to the blue oval's global boss.



The days of a Ford Falcon made exclusively by Australians for Australians are over.

Australia’s locally-made Falcon - and Ford Australia’s engineering and production expertise in general - will continue to play a vital role in the development of Fords around the world.

But it’s the Focus small car – to be built at Ford’s Broadmeadows plant from 2011 – that will play an increasingly important role for Ford Australia, Ford’s global president and chief executive, Alan Mulally, told a press conference in Melbourne today.

“We’ve announced we are going to bring a new Focus into production here into Australia and it will also be a Focus that we can export into the Asia-Pacific region,” says Mulally.

“We have design centres around the world where we tap into the local knowledge and consumer tastes, but our real plan is to create a viable complete business in Australia - the creation, the design, the manufacturing, the support, exporting to the Asia-Pacific region. We think Australia is uniquely positioned, plus we have 80 years of history here.

“The real thing here is the Ford transformation of bringing all these resources together in every market around the world, and Australia is a tremendous opportunity for us.”

Ford plans to build 40,000 Focuses in Australia from 2011, with 15,000 exported to markets in Asia and Africa.

Mullaly says Ford large cars will use a single platform, to be shared between vehicles built in the United States, Asia or Australia.

“I think as far as I can see that the expertise we have in large vehicles in Australia we will utilise for as far as I can see in the future,” says Mulally.

“We’re going to use our capabilities worldwide to design small, medium and large vehicles.”

The next all-new Ford Falcon – best guesses have it due around 2014 – could share components with vehicles as diverse as the Ford Mustang and Ford Taurus.

The single-platform strategy employed to gain economies of scale and minimise duplication within the company is similar to one used by large car makers all over the world. A few years ago General Motors appointed Holden as its expert in large, rear-wheel drive vehicles.

The new VE Commodore was the first of the new breed and is now being used in the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro.

Despite the doom and gloom of plunging large car sales locally, Mulally is adamant large cars will continue to be an important part of the overall vehicle market.

“I think they’ll always be a Falcon size [car],” he says. “Our best estimate of the market is that it will be 60 per cent small [cars], 25 per cent medium [cars] and 15 per cent large [cars], but each one of them will be important markets.”

Over the past decade Ford Australia has been battling sliding market share and average sales of its best selling vehicle, the Falcon (which has also seen resale values plummet).

Ford recently announced it would shut its Geelong engine plant and fit an imported V6 engine to the Falcon from 2010.

More recently its local president, Bill Osborne, announced his resignation from Ford just a day after announcing 350 jobs would be slashed.

Emphasis on Falcon sized car - technically the Mondeo is a falcon sized large car, at least with it's interior dimensions.