New Ford Mondeo More Than Just Good Looks

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by FairmontPom

I hope you're ready to eat your words in a few months time ESP !!
Checked out a couple of manual TDCi hatches in England last month, and although a massive fleet seller and with projected 40% residual value after 36 months as all Mondeos have had in England, it is still damn nice car, and pretty suited to the market down under.

Last gen. Mondeo was a good car (owned one for 4 years) but at the time Oz was still buying 6 and 8 cylinder cars without a care in the world, and with cheaper gas back then, why would you have bought 4 cyl. euro box??

Times have changed, and this new model will sell very well indeed here.

Dude, I hope I'm wrong.........FORD certainly need the sales volume and this model can certainly give FORD a share of the fastest growing market segment.

They sell well in EUROPE because EUROPE isn't bombarded with Japanese imports. In AUS , MAZDA and TOYOTA are undisputed kings of the mid size market. I can't see the MONDEO making even a small dent in this.

I hope I'm wrong, but FORD just don't have the reputation nor the marketing prowess in this market segment to pull this off.............no way.

I have my napkin and bowl at the ready just in case.................

[Tles]

Originally Posted by Bluehoon

Nice looking car. I wouldn't mind it at all.

Once Orion is in, definitely a powerful model range. Interesting times ahead!

Good range and surprisingly good pricing even the options, great looking cars (with cruise pack anyway) - my hat is well and truly off.

[FalconXV]

I like how the base Mondeo doesnt have that ugly black radio panel like the EU versions, our Focus.. Very nice i want one in black!

[Jayden]

That black interior looks nice as. Hope orion XRs are up to that standard.

[kooky]

I saw one of the XR5T on road around 3 or 4 weeks ago, they are stunning!!! I slowed down just to get a better look (as I had not seen one before) So slick.

Come to think of it, it was probably the one pictured in the first post as I remember the color and the EURO vic plates.

[Disciple]

You guys are fogetting the new Lancer. It's now a mid sized sedan like the Mazda 6, Toyota Camry etc. The Lancer will steal a lot of sales from Toyota and Mazda. Entry model is just $20,990 -top of the range VRX is $28,990 I think. Lancer has all the features of Mondeo etc plus more (ESP, DSC, ABS, EBD, 7 air bags standard) Mondeo will find it very hard to sell priced that high - people don't care how good a car is or how safe it is, they wanna know what it costs and what's the best price the dealer can do them. Case in point - Holden Epica (Daewoo Lacetti)

[Martyvan]

Originally Posted by Disciple

You guys are fogetting the new Lancer. It's now a mid sized sedan like the Mazda 6, Toyota Camry etc. The Lancer will steal a lot of sales from Toyota and Mazda. Entry model is just $20,990 -top of the range VRX is $28,990 I think. Lancer has all the features of Mondeo etc plus more (ESP, DSC, ABS, EBD, 7 air bags standard) Mondeo will find it very hard to sell priced that high - people don't care how good a car is or how safe it is, they wanna know what it costs and what's the best price the dealer can do them. Case in point - Holden Epica (Daewoo Lacetti)

Lancer isnt even in the same class, its the same size as the Focus, maybe a touch larger. There is no way the lancer can compete against the Mondeo, as the Mondeo is basically the same size as a Falcon. But whilst the lancer does look good, it may not be as good as the focus dynamically...

[BlackLS]

Originally Posted by Disciple

You guys are fogetting the new Lancer. It's now a mid sized sedan like the Mazda 6, Toyota Camry etc. The Lancer will steal a lot of sales from Toyota and Mazda. Entry model is just $20,990 -top of the range VRX is $28,990 I think. Lancer has all the features of Mondeo etc plus more (ESP, DSC, ABS, EBD, 7 air bags standard) Mondeo will find it very hard to sell priced that high - people don't care how good a car is or how safe it is, they wanna know what it costs and what's the best price the dealer can do them. Case in point - Holden Epica (Daewoo Lacetti)

Lancer is Focus territory. Mondeo is probably luxo Mitsu 380 oriented. Along with Accord etc.

[Disciple]

Focus size... hmmm... I still think the Mondeo is way overpriced and will struggle to sell.

[Martyvan]

Originally Posted by Disciple

Focus size... hmmm... I still think the Mondeo is way overpriced and will struggle to sell.

Why will it struggle to sell, when it is the cheapest in its class, and is probably coming close to the most features, in its class as well??? Thats just :

[autolover08]

Originally Posted by Disciple

Focus size... hmmm... I still think the Mondeo is way overpriced and will struggle to sell.

Yes focus sized bud, not mondeo class at all.
The mondeo is priced perfectly, not sure where your getting your ideas from.
Compare to camry for instance, as it's the biggest selling meduim 4cyl car at the moment.
Mondeo crushes camry for almost every measurable area...
Mondeo has...
knee airbag, 7 airbags standard
6speed auto
offers diesel
offers hatchback
better NVH
better driving dynamics
faster than a camry
more fuel efficient
rainsensing wipers
heated seats
interface information display
and i'd say build quality that at least matches the camry.
the only thing i can think of that camry has over mondeo is the toyota name, resale and projector headlights!
In my opinion if the new mondeo doesn't sell well, it won't be the fault of the car itself...marketing or the general public will be to blame.

[merlin]

That XR5T Mondeo looks bloody nice! Imagine with black, lowered and a subtle boot spoiler added....

Smaller, more fuel efficient that an XR6T but not a hatch like a Focus XR5T - this car would suit me perfectly - well done Ford its right up there at the top of the list now for my next car purchase.

[Deadman]

I can't believe some people are calling the Mondeo overpriced!! You obviously don't know much about this car - it's an awesome RRP! :

Originally Posted by ESP

XR5T looks the goods but can't see it being a best seller...........

Ford Australia won't be able to meet demand for this car at any stage this year, and will struggle to supply enough for the market till early-mid next year.

[the_scotsman]

That is one NICE car...I've always loved the Mondeo from day dot...something about them, they just always look the goods...the XR5T is sex on legs!

The pricing seems quite reasonable in my opinion...I'd be very tempted by one of these over a Falcon...very disappointing is the lack of manual though...very surprising, especially as has been said, it's available across the range in Europe...in fact in Europe, the vast majority of cars are manual, and auto is actually somewhat rare, in the UK anbyway.

[SammyDen]

They look stunning in the Flesh too.
deffinately a car with potential to steal a lot of falcon sales.

[TZENU]

Isn't the mondeo built to compete against the VW Jetta & Mazda 6 more than any other make and model????

When comparing against those two cars with the Mondeo the pricing is spot on.

[Ringo]

Ford Australia needed this car 18 months ago.

The diesel shoudl be interesting - did anyone here know that well over 50% of all VW Passenger cars sold are Diesels? Since then any manufacturer who has access to a developed diesel model from overseas has brought it out.

Holden Astra diesel, Mazda 6 Diesel and now Mazda 3 Diesel, Focus Diesel have all come onto the market trying to mirror VW success and perhaps steal a few buyers.

Camry sell a lot to fleet, Mazda 6 is mainly private buyers and Epica has done nothing because once again Holden thought they could whack a Lion badge on a Daewoo and the Australian Buying public will be too stoopid to realise - bow bow. Epica just makes Mondeo look good !!

Mondeo has European pedigree, a diesel and a sports model, good safety and equipment and a fair price. It will appeal to private and fleet buyers alike..... and yes it will steal a slice of Falcon buyers but not as much as you might think....probably steal a bit of Camry's fleet sales and Mazda 6's private buyers.

[rick'o]

Personally, while I reckon the car seems alright, they'll struggle with the name here in Oz, given the last incarnation was ordinary and called "Mundane-O" in some circles.

I agree with Ringo here: it's prob 18 months too late.

R

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by TZENU

Isn't the mondeo built to compete against the VW Jetta & Mazda 6 more than any other make and model????

When comparing against those two cars with the Mondeo the pricing is spot on.

Jetta is Golf Sedan. More like Passat.

I am trying to work out how I can afford to get out of the lease on my Mrs's Mazda6 for a Mondeo Diesel. Might not be this year however :

They look fantastic, and at the price, say goodbye to your 'ownership' of the category Mazda. All they need now is Manuals across the board, and they will sell them by the truck loads, at Falcon's peril.

Edit: Rick'o - This car wasn't released 18 months ago. The Mondeo they had wasn't exactly the best looking, and would have been forgotten in the same way the Vectra was. Ford have done well getting this model Mondeo over. It will sell.

[kooky]

Other than the XR5T the deisel is the biggest leap in the right direction for Ford, better late than never. It's a massive growth market and has been for 3-5 years now.

[outback_ute]

I think it looks very promising for Ford, very competitively priced. I think probably the most important thing will be what they can do as a fleet price compared to the Camry & Falcon (and if they can make the same margin on a fleet Mondeo as a Falcon). They are losing fleet sales of the Falcon currently and this car can help Ford keep the business.

Ford has to re-establish themselves in this segment and it is great to see the diesel available as an auto. Conversely the lack of manual gearboxes is a bit surprising given the driving dynamics of the car, and will surely cost a few sales. Hopefully the range will be expanded down the track.

The Jetta is comparable in price to the Mondeo even though really a size smaller, likewise the Lancer is smaller - a Focus sedan is not exactly tiny either. In the UK the motoring writers made a lot of comment on the size of the Mondeo, without comparing dimensions it is not much smaller than a Falcon. On the other hand I have sat in the back seat of a Camry (actually Aurion but they are the same) and it is terrible. Legroom was ok but headroom was very poor and access is restricted by the door opening - worse than the current Falcon in this regard I think.

The advertising so far has been disappointing - I would like to see them promote the car with some of the reviews it has been getting in Europe, which have been along the lines of "this car is so good we question why you would spend more money buying a BMW".

[Deanodriver]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

The Jetta is comparable in price to the Mondeo even though really a size smaller, likewise the Lancer is smaller - a Focus sedan is not exactly tiny either. In the UK the motoring writers made a lot of comment on the size of the Mondeo, without comparing dimensions it is not much smaller than a Falcon. On the other hand I have sat in the back seat of a Camry (actually Aurion but they are the same) and it is terrible. Legroom was ok but headroom was very poor and access is restricted by the door opening - worse than the current Falcon in this regard I think.

I actually did compare dimensions of the base Mondeo with the base Falcon once, and found that besides the length (6 inches shorter, probably due to the shorter bonnet, being FWD and all), there wasn't much in it. In fact, I believe the Mondeo was actually larger in some areas.

I'll also whinge about the lack of manual, but $29,990 is a killer price, that's $2,000 more than the Epica automatic, and it's by far a better car than the Epica.

I would've liked to have seen a cheaper diesel model, but ah well. I do think the LX is very well priced.

Really, for many people, the extra power and the RWD that the Falcon offers won't be enough for them to pony up the extra $5000 or so (the Mondeo is $31490 once you add the Cruise pack, which adds more equipment) for the Falcon. What's more, an automatic diesel Mondeo uses about the same amount of fuel as a manual petrol Focus.

[XR6_190]

Great car all round buy the looks of it, Priced competitively, looks fresh, full of all of the new age gizmos, Importantly it has a diesel, diesels are really starting to gain momentum here, the only other car in the class to have diesel is the 6. Should sell well, Ford do have to get the name out and into the public though.

[XR6_190]

I personally don't think the lack of manual will have a big impact on sales. As for being a dynamic car, most people who will want it to be a bit sportier will probably go for the XR5 (manual only). If there is strong demand for manual gearboxes across the range (and transversly an auto box in the XR5 T) Ford will still have the option of getting these in from Europe later on down the track

[Tles]

Originally Posted by Paxton

Jetta is Golf Sedan. More like Passat.

I am trying to work out how I can afford to get out of the lease on my Mrs's Mazda6 for a Mondeo Diesel. Might not be this year however :

They look fantastic, and at the price, say goodbye to your 'ownership' of the category Mazda. All they need now is Manuals across the board, and they will sell them by the truck loads, at Falcon's peril.

TopGear mag has a comparo with Passat and Camry and give it to Mondeo, looking up there for Euro Car of the year

The next Mazda6 is apparently on show at AIMS and has the 2.3MZR bored out to 2.5 yet more power and economy is expected, on the Mondeo platform and with a 0.26 drag coefficent - not dead yet - especially that sweet looking 6 wagon. Nice diesel manual option (auto to come) and Mazda on Mazda tradein...reckon I'd stick with the lease a little longer, even if only to get a 07 in 08 disc.

[Force6]

Was at AIMS today, and the new Mondeo seems to be a fantastic car. I only have one complaint however, which is that it has possibly the worst console/head unit setup I have ever seen. It looks cheap and outdated, and I am perplexed as to why they chose it? Has anyone else noticed this as well? Other then that the interior is absolutely amazing and the manual shift felt good.

Originally Posted by TTonka

The next Mazda6 is apparently on show at AIMS

I was quite suprised to see that Mazda weren't really making a big deal about the new Mazda6 at all. They had it on a raised platform, but it just didn't stand out, and they weren't attempting very hard to draw attention to it at all. It's a fantastic car but it didn't seem like too many people were interested. The Cobra GT, on the other hand...

[Fair302]

Very very nice, love it. The XR5T is hot esp in silver, I'd change the rims. Ford is doing very nice at the moment. Good line up (not perfect) but beter than in many years. The last Mondeo here was not the previous Mondeo model. There was another in between which we didn't get. That model wasn't to bad either esp 220 version. Now we have XR4, XR5TF and XR5TM along with diesels plus much improved marketing for Fiesta and Focus. FPV F6-X??? and Focus cabrio? Now they just need to put FPV in the media. Can't believe that they don't bring more attention to the Sandown, Bathurst and current standing in Championship or Focus rally success! DUMB DUMB DUMB

But at least we are heading in the right direction. Future is looking good...Bring on Orion!

[SirHenry]

Very nice car, hopefully should pull a lot of sales I think the only thing that could hurt it is the Mondeo name I think it would have been to see the Cortina name revived it has a more positive feel than Mundano all the same whatever they call it its still It fills one of the voids in the Ford stable, Astra/6/Lancer/Camry killer.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by SirHenry

I think the only thing that could hurt it is the Mondeo name I think it would have been to see the Cortina name revived it has a more positive feel

You can't be serious..... can you ?

The Mondeo has been getting along just fine for about 14 years without being called a Cortina.

The Cortina has been dead and buried for 25 years let it rest in peace :

[csv8]

What about calling the hatchback MONDEO...CAPRI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!