Ford targets premium market with Vignale flagship that could make it to Australia

[LTDmonger]

That aint no flagship.
Fairlane
LTD
....RIP....
Gone but not forgotten.

[Hawkeye84]

I like the idea, but If they want to chase the luxury car market, they are going to have to do better than giving it a slight exterior upgrade, diamond pressed interior and a fancy name.

People who buy BMWs, Mercs, etc don't want to pay the dollars for a ford that looks very similar to the base model which every Joe blow can buy.

Drop the Lincoln brand (because they have done jack all), make Vignale the new luxury ford brand and make it look considerably different from the base model ford. They have the designers and engineers capable of making an awesome luxury product....i can still dream i guess

[csv8]

Originally Posted by LTDmonger

That aint no flagship.
Fairlane
LTD
....RIP....
Gone but not forgotten.

Remember the Galaxie ???

[jpd80]

Vignale is a proposed trim level above Titanium and titanium X...

I doubt you would get anyone in Australia to sit still for a premium priced Mondeo,
the $49,000 Titanium was a hard sell...

[1TUFFUTE]

I love the name...the way it's pronounced(looks a little strange spelled out,although the badge looks great). What would people like ford to do.....develope the best Eco engines in the world....package them in small to medium cars and leave it at that. that's STUPID......taking advantage of global ford vehicular architecture by stepping up further into the premium range is exactly what ford should be doing.
And I don't know about yous but unlike EVERY other car brand out there....ford seem to be nailing down nice sleek sharpish with a Austin Martin touch in all their cars for awhile now.
VINYALE...love it

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

I love the name...the way it's pronounced(looks a little strange spelled out,although the badge looks great).

I actually prefer the 'Ghia' name to be reserved for the flagship luxury model, personally, but since Ford sold the rights to that name, they can't use it anymore.

Nevertheless, I agree with the rest of your post.

[Kieron]

Never been a fan of numbering in cars names such as the likes of the G6/G6E etc to designate the top line Falc as it's non descriptive and meaningless.

Liked the Ghia badge but I think it's now outlived itself. This new name instantly sounds fresh and sophisticated in my view, as did the Ghia badge when Ford used in in the 70's.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by LTDmonger

That aint no flagship.
Fairlane
LTD
....RIP....
Gone but not forgotten.

It's ok.

[Wretched]

Not coming to AU

...Ford Australia brand communications manager Neil McDonald says the local division has no plans to launch the Vignale sub-brand here however, revealing it has been designed to specifically target European buyers.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/249864/f...ium-sub-brand/

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by au2000

Wtf is with the seat pattern? If this is fords future direction I'm stunned & not in a good way

I agree here, usually I'm the odd one out for liking the left of field dodgy looking crap.

Its like Kenworth and their interiors that look like 1920's couches, with the red leather with buttons all over it.

Total crap IMO.

EDIT: Reminds me of old people and their golf uniforms with the V neck vest with colourful diamonds on it. Oooooooo yes I would love some earllllllllllllll greyyy tea!

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Kieron

Never been a fan of numbering in cars names such as the likes of the G6/G6E etc to designate the top line Falc as it's non descriptive and meaningless.

Liked the Ghia badge but I think it's now outlived itself. This new name instantly sounds fresh and sophisticated in my view, as did the Ghia badge when Ford used in in the 70's.

I like the GHIA badge..

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Hopefully the FU gets some ideas from this...diamonds!

image

The front end changes look very Lincoln-ish...

image

This car, with the Focus ST's 2.0 EcoBoost (and AWD) would be a winner IMHO.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

This car, with the Focus ST's 2.0 EcoBoost (and AWD) would be a winner IMHO.

Agreed, but for the love of god give us the EB V6.

I never thought id be saying I want a V6.

[Burnout]

Vignale - still ugly enough for the dogs to bark at. Sounds like a salad dressing too!

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Not coming to AU



http://www.caradvice.com.au/249864/f...ium-sub-brand/

And rightly so. The Ford brand name is mud here, and no badge snob would ever buy one over a similar Audi, BMW or Merc. It's just not snobby enough. People buy these cheap Euro trash cars just so they can tell people they drive a Merc, BM etc.

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

And rightly so. The Ford brand name is mud here, and no badge snob would ever buy one over a similar Audi, BMW or Merc. It's just not snobby enough. People buy these cheap Euro trash cars just so they can tell people they drive a Merc, BM etc.

You hit the nail on the head mate, Ford AU's brand is mud, they are forever associated with the Falcon which is great for us Ford/Falcon fans, but the public has moved on.

They have to re-brand and shake that 'Falcon Motor Company' image. May not be the time to lift the Ford brand to a higher Euro level yet with Vignale then.

[Bossxr8]

You can't pin it all on Falcon, Fords have always been an everyday brand, never premium.

That's always been the case for everything they have ever sold. Maybe a few exceptions like the 70's LTD's which were true flagships.

[Nikked]

What a shame its not coming to Australia, huge market gap. The Vignale range could have done well...even if the name needed adapting for the aussie market.

[MethodX]

Vignale was an italian coachbuilder like Ghia.
later bought by Detomaso.

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

You can't pin it all on Falcon, Fords have always been an everyday brand, never premium.

That's always been the case for everything they have ever sold. Maybe a few exceptions like the 70's LTD's which were true flagships.

We're getting off topic here but there's not doubting, Fords Australia's past success can be firmly pinned on the Falcon and quite rightly so. Unfortunately, it's time has come as. The buying public have far more choice nowadays.

Ford have to shake that image and re position the brand above the Koreans, Japanese etc the logical and truthful way is to differentiate the brand by going euro, pitching it in the Peugeot, VW, Citroen class (not BMW or Merc) but keeping pricing competitive, I see ford appear to be doing that.

[JG34JA]

If Ford are selling about 500 Mondeo per month, and 11-14% are private sales as mentioned here previously, that's circa 75 cars private sale per month, Australia wide.

Perhaps the delayed new model, plus a top-of-the-range variant might increase this, but I can see why Ford isn't bringing it here.

At the pricing you'd expect, there's plenty of appeal for many in RWD BMW and Mercedes' cheaper models, not to mention their badges...

Recent trip to UK saw very few Mondeo's in my travels. Plenty of Focus/Fiesta. Ford could do better rebuilding their badge via Focus and Fiesta + spin offs of these like CMax + great ST models: affordable European on the lines of VW but with more reliable drivetrains - and lift customer service and satisfaction!

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Originally Posted by nuthin' fancy

The interior reminds me of a spice girl's jacket in winter.

<deleted: I have a dirty mind that isn't forum appropriate sometimes>

In all seriousness I actually like the looks of it... needs more sc v8 though.

[max_torq]

If it is a ford luxury touring wagon... finally! Make sure it has a panoramic sunroof, good stereo/entertainment system and an HUD, please.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I agree here, usually I'm the odd one out for liking the left of field dodgy looking crap.

Its like Kenworth and their interiors that look like 1920's couches, with the red leather with buttons all over it.

Total crap IMO.

EDIT: Reminds me of old people and their golf uniforms with the V neck vest with colourful diamonds on it. Oooooooo yes I would love some earllllllllllllll greyyy tea!

You guys r complaining about the pattern on a high end sedan.....you realize the Holden Cruize has this pattern. How's that for turning the world upside down

[Ismegordo]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...A#!prettyPhoto

Maybe some further jig saw pieces ...re future models and Falcon replacements. IMHO the new 2014 Mondeo rear end still isn't as upmarket looking as the front.. bet the FG rear upgrade looks better.

Well it's not a bad looking car, But does anyone reall believe it's going to come to Australia, I for one don't think it will.

[neptune blue]

In the words of Homer J Simpson .......BORING

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by neptune blue

In the words of Homer J Simpson .......BORING

In the mind of Homer Jay Simpson...

[Whitey-AMG]

It's an overpriced Mondeo
It's a Ford
It's ugly
It will be marketed by FOA

This car has no hope here in AU.

[eb2fairmont]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

You can't pin it all on Falcon, Fords have always been an everyday brand, never premium.

That's always been the case for everything they have ever sold. Maybe a few exceptions like the 70's LTD's which were true flagships.

exactly, cant walk into a ford dealership or service centre and get premium experience...

[Cuyper]

Originally Posted by au2000

Wtf is with the seat pattern? If this is fords future direction I'm stunned & not in a good way

Looks like left over trimmings from the back of the undertakers shop