November 2010 Car Sales

[sxckevo]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

Ford Oz or Holden, as far as I know, dont release quarterly financial figures. They only do it on a yearly basis.

both, so does that mean we have to wait till the end of the financial year or is it the end of 'this' year?
thanks for your help

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by naddis01

Here are the Focus RS figures so far. I guess them being 'sold out' was sold out to the dealers. However it seems Ford is doing well in the hot hatch market.

November 2010 and YTD.
Ford Focus RS - 41 - 167

And just for comparison.
Volkswagen Golf GTI 18 - 2,700
Ford Focus XR5 128 - 1,547
Subaru Impreza WRX 154 - 1,537
Mazda Mazda3 MPS - 41 - 543
Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart - 34 - 391
Honda Civic Type R - 5 - 173

Volkswagen Golf R/R32 - 6 - 277
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - 12 - 232
Ford Focus RS - 41 - 167
Subaru Impreza WRX STI - 7 - 133

isnt that close to all the RS focuses we got here anyway>>>?

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by sxckevo

both, so does that mean we have to wait till the end of the financial year or is it the end of 'this' year?
thanks for your help

From what i can ascertain, they work on the calender year ie jan 1 to dec 31. so going buy the release dates of the last few years

2008 results
http://www.caradvice.com.au/33165/fo...sts-274m-loss/

and 2007 results
http://www.caradvice.com.au/12551/fo...-loss-in-2007/

they release the results in May or June of the following year.


You should expect to see 2010 results next may or June

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

2a) Marin Burela cancelled the Focus plan, which now I am thinking was a big mistake.

Right from the very beginning of my time on this forum, I have been shouting at the rain that this was such a stupid thing to do.

Everyone is moving into smaller more premium and expensive vehicles. Focus could of have added much much needed volume so that the Falcon can move upmarket and become a premium RWD global Ford. But with such low volume in the factory Falcon has to be made cheap enough, so they can sell enough to keep the factory going.

Falcon is in no-mans land, there is no way as its positioned at the moment can it ever be exported as a premium Ford to Europe and a Lincoln to the US. Even a 16 grand Fiesta has more tech than a Falcon nowadays.

Building Focus here would of plugged Ford straight into the C segment, meaning the profitable Kuga could be made here, a locally-developed Focus ute to catch the under 25s and rural market, an electric Focus to catch BIG government funding - all these vehicles would allows Falcon the opportunity to become a more expensive sports sedan with the latest tech in the Ford empire. It could be exported as a Granada/Scopio to Europe, Falcon to South American and a Lincoln MKF to the US. Basically wherever Fords are sold, the Falcon would be the flagship of the range, piggybacking off the volume and economies of scale the Focus would provide in Broadmeadows.

With 6 Billion in Green Car Funding and Ford US wanting to give Ford AU the Focus/Kuga contract its just insane it got overturned.... But its not surprising, as long as we continue to have CEOs who are here as a stepping stone for a global posting they will continue to run Ford AU with as little funding as possible so the quarterly balance sheet looks good, which they can then slap on their resume.

[prydey]

you obviously have access to all the same info ford had when they made the decision??

so easy to be an expert!

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Right from the very beginning of my time on this forum, I have been shouting at the rain that this was such a stupid thing to do.

Everyone is moving into smaller more premium and expensive vehicles. Focus could of have added much much needed volume so that the Falcon can move upmarket and become a premium RWD global Ford. But with such low volume in the factory Falcon has to be made cheap enough, so they can sell enough to keep the factory going.

Falcon is in no-mans land, there is no way as its positioned at the moment can it ever be exported as a premium Ford to Europe and a Lincoln to the US. Even a 16 grand Fiesta has more tech than a Falcon nowadays.

Building Focus here would of plugged Ford straight into the C segment, meaning the profitable Kuga could be made here, a locally-developed Focus ute to catch the under 25s and rural market, an electric Focus to catch BIG government funding - all these vehicles would allows Falcon the opportunity to become a more expensive sports sedan with the latest tech in the Ford empire. It could be exported as a Granada/Scopio to Europe, Falcon to South American and a Lincoln MKF to the US. Basically wherever Fords are sold, the Falcon would be the flagship of the range, piggybacking off the volume and economies of scale the Focus would provide in Broadmeadows.

With 6 Billion in Green Car Funding and Ford US wanting to give Ford AU the Focus/Kuga contract its just insane it got overturned.... But its not surprising, as long as we continue to have CEOs who are here as a stepping stone for a global posting they will continue to run Ford AU with as little funding as possible so the quarterly balance sheet looks good, which they can then slap on their resume.

I love it when people say the Falcon and the Commodore could have such big sales around the world.

Yet people tend to overlook the very little facts that,
1) Very few australians even want to buy a Falcon Or commodore. Approx only 8% of Australians who bought a car in the last year, wanted a commodore or Falcon derivative, and probably less than 50% of those were private sales. People probably think if they export the falcodore, overseas governments would purchase these vehicles.

2) People like to overlook that the G8 was an apparant success, and still lost Holden 200 million dollars.

3) people think that car manufacturers can make money building small cars here, on the basis that they will get government subsidies, but like to overlook that they cant make big cars here at a profit (with same subsidies)

4) Oh and ford US wanting the focus/Kuga to be built here but was over rided by australian management, what a ridiculous statement.

5) A 16 grand Fiesta has more tech than a Falcon??? Well aint that just a great reason for overseas buyers to want to go and buy a Falcon.

6) and the ridiculous belief that a locally made Focus will mean more sales. They only sell 12000 per year, with a need to increase it four fold to make it any where near viable. Somehow there is a belief that a locally made focus will increase sales many times over, yet a locally made Falcon stagnates in the sales blackhole.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

I love it when people say the Falcon and the Commodore could have such big sales around the world.

Yet people tend to overlook the very little facts that,
1) Very few australians even want to buy a Falcon Or commodore. Approx only 8% of Australians who bought a car in the last year, wanted a commodore or Falcon derivative, and probably less than 50% of those were private sales. People probably think if they export the falcodore, overseas governments would purchase these vehicles.

2) People like to overlook that the G8 was an apparant success, and still lost Holden 200 million dollars.

3) people think that car manufacturers can make money building small cars here, on the basis that they will get government subsidies, but like to overlook that they cant make big cars here at a profit (with same subsidies)

4) Oh and ford US wanting the focus/Kuga to be built here but was over rided by australian management, what a ridiculous statement.

5) A 16 grand Fiesta has more tech than a Falcon??? Well aint that just a great reason for overseas buyers to want to go and buy a Falcon.

6) and the ridiculous belief that a locally made Focus will mean more sales. They only sell 12000 per year, with a need to increase it four fold to make it any where near viable. Somehow there is a belief that a locally made focus will increase sales many times over, yet a locally made Falcon stagnates in the sales blackhole.

1) Commodore and Falcon are still in the top ten, even if they could get into the top 50 in the US or Uk they would be doing well and adding volume to local production.

2) The cancellation of contract lost Holden money, not the export itself. Pontiac was a dying brand with no GM support and yet some months there were selling more G8s there then they were selling Commodores here

3) Holden has said they are running currently at a profit, and I think Ford has said something similiar. And if they are not? Then why not build cars people want to buy, such as the C-segment which attracts more profitable private buyers.

4) Its true, Ford AU was given the contract by Detroit but Burela cancelled it as one of his first steps in management.

5) By making the Focus the bread and butter of Broadmeadows, they can position the Falcon more upmarket on lower volumes. This more premium product would have more tech and be more appealing to OS buyers. At the moment Falcon has to carry the factory hence it needs to be positioned more at fleet territory to get sustainable volumes, local Focus could take over that role if it was built here.

6) Locally produced Focus would increase sales: A) private and fleet buyers who prefer locally made (such as governments) would swallow them up, B) ford AU can tailor make the model mix to suit local tastes (such as sport models) and conditions, C) Ford AU wont be on a 6 month lead time on shipments they can adjust the model mix as demand grows or falls for particular variants, D) local press and media of Focus production would generate interest in the vehicle, E) Ford AU will no longer be last in line in having to secure Focus production from OS plants which puts considerable constraints on volumes.

[vztrt]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577F10025CDBD

New Zealand market bucks year-end slump trend

Late rental sales help steep rise in NZ new car and commercial volumes for November

6 December 2010
By JACQUI MADELIN
NEW ZEALAND’S new vehicle market recorded a substantial lift in November, rising 28.6 per cent over the same month last year – almost double the year-to-date increase of 14.5 per cent.

New car sales were up 30.8 per cent in November while commercials rose 20.6 per cent

Used imports are up 17 per cent over last November, and 27.1 per cent year-to-date.

Motor Industry Association CEO Perry Kerr said the November numbers broke the usual trend of a year-end dip.

“Sales were up across all sectors, with no standout reason,” said Mr Kerr. “However, a range of collective factors including the recent run of good spring weather, farmer payouts and a positive business outlook all helped.”

Holden NZ managing director Simon Carr said there had been a high level of rental sales, which are traditionally strong in September and October, but this year carried through to November.

“We came into the month with a fair number of carry-over (rental) orders, which was a trend through the industry,” said Mr Carr.

Ford NZ managing director Trevor Auger said one-third of Ford’s November volume was rentals, accounting for more than 300 sales compared with 183 in November last year.

Toyota again led the market, lifting 38.5 per cent to 1849 sales over last November for a 25.1 per cent market share. Toyota exceeded its retail forecast by about 15 per cent due to a significant lift in government orders and an aggressive retail campaign offering three-year free service plans to lure private buyers.

Ford scored second place with 914 sales, up 46.9 per cent for a 12.4 per cent share, on the back of the best month for the current shape Fiesta and second-best for Focus Zetec.

Holden remained third on 651 sales (up 15.4 per cent), with Mazda fourth at 536 (up 11.4 per cent) and Hyundai fifth with 528 (up 36.9 per cent).

Hyundai NZ chief operating officer Tom Ruddenklau said heavy investment in the dealer network was paying off: “The return is there in terms of enquiry and sales results without a doubt. People like being around confident people and successful organisations.”

Suzuki was up 30.9 per cent to 428 for sixth, Nissan was up 25.8 per cent to 409 for seventh, Mitsubishi was up 38.4 per cent to 353 for eighth and Honda finally had good news with a 24.0 lift to 269 sales for ninth, including 113 new Insights.

Volkswagen rounded out the November top ten with 228 sales.

Toyota’s Corolla remained NZ’s top-selling nameplate in November and year-to-date, followed by Suzuki’s Swift, with Ford’s Falcon third just one unit ahead of Holden’s Commodore.

Honda NZ managing director Graeme Seymour said it was a good month, but remained cautious about the future.

“We are starting to see a little more traffic, with more confidence coming into the market (but) all retail activity will still be a bit depressed this Christmas across all industries,” he said. “The economy is still a long way from full recovery.”

NZ top 10 makes November 2010:
Rank Make Sales % Share
1 Toyota 1849 25.1%
2 Ford 914 12.4%
3 Holden 651 8.8%
4 Mazda 536 7.3%
5 Hyundai 527 7.1%
6 Suzuki 428 5.8%
7 Nissan 409 5.5%
8 Mitsubishi 353 4.8%
9 Honda 269 3.6%
10 Volkswagen 228 3.1%

[vztrt]

The power of petrol

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577F20002591F

Diesel cars are still small beer in Australia, despite ‘Best Cars’ awards domination
7 December 2010
By TERRY MARTIN
‘AUSTRALIA’S Best Cars’ awards are claimed to be the most comprehensive and, given their size and profile, most influential new-vehicle gongs of their kind in Australia, reflecting what representatives of the nation’s motoring clubs consider to be the best cars in their respective classes.

As evidenced by the Skoda Superb’s win in this year’s large-car section, however, ‘Best Cars’ is no indication of a car’s popularity in the marketplace – or what most buyers consider to be the best car for them, as reflected by actual vehicle sales.

Whereas Skoda has managed 321 sales so far this year for the Superb, for example, Holden has sold more than 42,000 Commodores – yet that was not enough to see the updated VE Series II make the finals in its category, let alone claim the winner’s trophy and the marketing kudos that comes with it.

Another interesting point with this year’s awards was that nine of the 15 category winners were diesels, spanning light cars, small cars, medium cars, large cars and SUVs.

Among the high praise for the diesel powertrains bestowed upon the various winners this year, the judges made the obvious point that “turbo-diesel cars are growing in popularity due to their pleasing blend of punchy performance and low fuel consumption”.

But to what extent ARE diesel cars growing in popularity?

Such a high number of award winners with diesel power sparked Market Insight’s attention as the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries last week released its latest VFACTS figures, which showed that diesel cars accounted for just 7.0 per cent of Australia’s passenger car market in November, compared to 91.2 per cent for those running on petrol.

There is no doubt that diesel sales have climbed as the new-vehicle market has returned to form and, likewise, it is impossible to overlook the increasing number of diesel engine options across model ranges – particularly those from luxury brands – available in Australia.

But despite their improved refinement, efficiency, performance and suitability to local conditions generally, diesel sales growth in Australia is continuing to occur slowly.

During the course of this year the popularity of diesel power has remained on a relatively even keel when viewed as a percentage of ‘fuel type’ (which as well as petrol includes hybrid, LPG and now electricity), rather than in comparison to last year when the industry was still recovering from the economic downturn.

Over the course of this year, diesel’s monthly share in passenger car sales in Australia has fluctuated from a low of 6.7 per cent to 8.4 per cent, compared to petrol sales ranging from 89 to 92.1 per cent.

While figures released this week show the share of diesel in the British new-car market in 2010 year-to-date at 45.8 per cent – up more than four per cent – and petrol at 53 per cent, the diesel-versus-petrol YTD share in Australia is currently at 7.7 versus 90 per cent.

Australia has recorded 486,939 petrol car sales YTD, compared to 41,660 diesel, 7576 hybrid, 4796 LPG and 112 electric cars.

For diesel, that is around 5000 units ahead of the full 12 months of 2009, and is streets ahead of the 27,050 diesel car sales recorded in 2007 – the last time Australia’s new-vehicle market passed one million units.

Back then, diesel accounted for just 4.2 per cent of new-car sales, compared to petrol on 93.9 per cent (597,896 units).

Over the following two years, which saw overall passenger car sales fall around 40,000 units in 2008 and a further 56,000 in 2009, diesel’s share climbed to 6.0 per cent in 2008 (on 36,138 units) while petrol lost ground to 91.9 per cent (with sales down almost 50,000 units).

Last year, both petrol and diesel’s share of the overall passenger car market was fairly steady – 6.8 per cent for diesel (36,632 units) and 91.4 per cent for petrol (despite a further 53,800 sales fall to 494,211 units).

In 2010 YTD, diesel’s one percentage point climb in market share is part of a continuing trend, but cannot match the higher levels of growth recorded in the UK.

Over there, diesel has experienced steady annual growth of around two per cent, with some particularly strong surges in recent years, including a 4.3 per cent climb in 2005 (to 36.8 per cent), a 3.4 per cent jump in 2008 (to 43.6 per cent) and, after a drop last year to 41.7 per cent, a strong upswing of 4.2 per cent in 2010 YTD.

If those sorts of figures in percentage terms translated to the Australian passenger car market, diesel’s influence could begin to weigh heavily on petrol and force more manufacturers into the game, particularly those from Japan who continue to overwhelmingly favour petrol power.

But with our relatively high cost of diesel and historically low price of petrol, there is little incentive for change from either car companies or consumers.

The question is often asked why diesel is cheaper than petrol in the UK and Europe compared to Australia.

There are a host of reasons, but certain tax regimes favour diesel fuel and the greater demand and market share of diesel passenger cars in Europe provide economies of scale and exert price competition that lowers diesel prices.

In Australia, there is far less competitive pressure on diesel prices because, as outlined here, diesel represents only a fraction of total passenger car sales.

This could change if sales of diesel cars continue to increase – and if the Australian appetite for SUV/4WDs continues, which is a completely different situation when it comes to diesel market share. In stark comparison to passenger cars, diesel SUVs currently account for around a third of all sales in this segment.

While it has always enjoyed a relatively strong following – accounting for 21 per cent back in 2006, with 35,847 units, for example – its rise in percentage terms has been remarkable, and almost exclusively at the expense of petrol SUVs.

Whereas petrol SUVs held a 78.9 per cent share four years ago (on 134,812 sales), petrol’s domination has consistently eroded to be at 69 per cent last year (on 129,903 sales) and YTD in 2010 has fallen further to 65.5 per cent (despite volume rising to 142,000).

By comparison, diesel SUV sales have doubled over the same timeframe and its share has climbed 13.1 per cent.

Diesel’s share went to 23.8 per cent in 2007 (on 47,153 sales), rising to 28.7 per cent in 2008 (on 55,804) and, after the GFC limited growth to 1.9 per cent last year (on 57,556 units), oil-burning SUVs have returned to form this year, up to 34.1 per cent YTD on 73,853 units.

Both luxury and mainstream marques can take credit for this share improvement, and significant new models such as Ford’s Territory diesel will help fuel further growth in 2011.

For the overall passenger car market, though, there is little to indicate that the continued influx of new models – or publicity from award recipients, for that matter – will do anything more than continue with modest growth.

Indeed, hybrid vehicle sales, which have started to improve with the Camry Hybrid this year and should now ramp up with cheaper new models such as Honda’s Insight, could eat away at the gains diesel has made.

It remains to be seen whether the ‘Best Cars’ program will continue to rate diesel ahead of petrol and/or hybrid across most vehicle categories in Australia.

But with the ‘People’s Choice’ award – the one made by those driving out of showrooms in a new vehicle – the sales trends clearly show that petrol power is set to dominate for many years to come.

[Joe5619]

Just becuase you want Falcon to be Premium product, does not mean this is where Ford want it to be...

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Just becuase you want Falcon to be Premium product, does not mean this is where Ford want it to be...

I dont want it to be,

I prefer the Falcon to be big, dumb, and simple. Like me.

But if it going to have a shot at the big league internationally, then thats what those buyers expect when buying a large RWD expensive car.

[Gobes32]

Focus would have become a financial black hole if it had gone ahead, and it remains to be seen whether Holden will make a profit on the Cruze. But that is Holden for you, they are more averse to taking risks..........

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Focus would have become a financial black hole if it had gone ahead, and it remains to be seen whether Holden will make a profit on the Cruze. But that is Holden for you, they are more averse to taking risks..........

Most people do not tend to worry about risk when they are spending taxpayers money

[Dr Smith]

Re a local Focus vs imported the obvious question, as we know, is building it here going to make Ford Oz more money then a full import. A full import requires compliance etc...local production means hundreds of millions in setting up to build here. So already building here sets you back many hundreds of millions. Then, would you recoup that outlay and make enough profit selling a "locally" made Focus. The maximum sales would be around current Coralla if you we lucky enough for Toyota to roll over and give it up. That obviously won't happen, then add all the competing brands and I can see how MB killed the plan. Maybe the Falcon in EBI4/LiLpg/TDi Terry if sales targets are met will provide more profit for the same development dollars as considered on going local for the Focus. Without the full costs and business plans we will never know. In a few years time, when comparing the two brands I'd estimate Holden will have sold more units for no great growth in profit. I don't expect the $Aust dollar to devalue enough so long as China stays positive in growth so Aust built Cruzes ar not going to be cheap to export. And if Holden eventually have more Cruzes sold then Commdores then they have switched to a lower profit vehicle for their main seller, a vehicle which is also made in many plants around the world including China. It will be an interseting 1-2 years.

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/94239/ma...-sales-record/

Mazda on track to break yearly sales record
By Brett Davis | December 7th, 2010

According to the latest VFACTS figures, Mazda is on track to surpass its yearly sales record of 79,826 units, which was reached in 2008. With Mazda already having sold 77,788 new cars this year, the company is only 2039 sales away from a new record.

Mazda Australia sold 6474 cars during November this year, 2980 of which were Mazda3 models alone. It looks like it is going to be easy for the company to exceed its record this year. And, according to the figures, it’ll be Mazda’s best-selling model, the Mazda3, that will help push figures over the line.

Mazda3 sales year-to-date are up by 11.4 percent, while Mazda2 sales are also up by six percent. The smallest Mazda in the range made up a total of 1255 of the November sales. Mazda’s CX-7 is also contributing to the brand’s success this year, and contributed 737 sales to the month’s figures

Managing director of Mazda Australia, Doug Dickson, is happy about the company’s growth.

“We’re obviously pleased with our performance so far this year and while there is still some work to be done 2010 looks like being a record year for Mazda. This result is testament to the fact that our range of Zoom-Zoom products continues to offer the value and style appreciated by Australian new car buyers.”

Well done Mazda. Now all you have to do is produce the Mazda Shinari sports sedan and put it on the market. Then your showroom will be filled with truly competitive packages, catering for almost every market segment.

[csv8]

Compare the G6E and the Mondeo Titanium, similar pricing and specs. G6E is povo pack luxury. Ford need to up the luxury tech and keep the price the same. Not an easy task.

[My poor XF]

Originally Posted by csv8

Compare the G6E and the Mondeo Titanium, similar pricing and specs. G6E is povo pack luxury. Ford need to up the luxury tech and keep the price the same. Not an easy task.

Not really a fair comparison if you take into account development costs and market size. Mondeo is sold to much larger markets and reaps the benefit tech wise. Falcon is doing quite well considering these factors. Automatic climate control and auto headlights that were only found in LTD's 8 or 9 yrs ago now standard in the xt.

With a platform bedded down ford can then look at tech upgrades and interior appointments. The next variants of the FG should look far more impressive tech and luxury wise.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by vztrt

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577F10025CDBD

Not really significant as we are a tiny market but the coon is consistently in the top 3 and ahead of the VE, as it should. Figures would look even better with a wagon and diesel option but we can only dream.

http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/news/Do...ales_stats.pdf

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by prydey

you obviously have access to all the same info ford had when they made the decision??

so easy to be an expert!

Know in how conservative Ford's forward planning of products and manufacturing sites is, I find it
hard to imagine how can a plan for the future like the Focus under Ton Gorman can
suddenly become nonviable in the next breath under Marin Burela?
Local production of Focus probably was viable but Thailand means they make maximum profit,
Burela was instead pushing for Ford to keep big car and SUV production in Australia as this
provides far more profit per vehicle than Focus would, the fact that Focus sales crashed may have
also coloured his decision.
Also, "One Ford" according to Alan Mulally does mean blindly accepting corporate platforms and engines,
on more than one occasion he told Ford Australia chiefs, "if it doesn't work for you don't do it."
And that is why the V6 Falcon went away for now and the trust y I-6 remains for Orion product cycle.

[jpd80]

oops, I made a mistake in the post above,
moderators would you please delete as I'll repost below:

Knowing how conservative Ford's forward planning of products and manufacturing sites is,
I find it hard to imagine that a future plan like building the Focus in Australia under Tom Gorman
could suddenly become nonviable in the next breath under Marin Burela, how is this possible?

It's more likely that the local production of Focus was probably viable but Thailand meant maximum profit,
Burela was instead pushing for Ford to keep big car and SUV production in Australia as this provides far
more profit per vehicle than Focus would, crashing Focus sales may have also coloured his decision.

Also, "One Ford" according to Alan Mulally does not mean blindly accepting corporate platforms
and engines, on more than one occasion he told Ford Australia chiefs, "if it doesn't work for you don't do it."
And that is why the V6 Falcon went away for now and the trusty I-6 remains for Orion product cycle.

[bobthebilda]

The one thing that would be scaring the local manufacturers is the amount of exports they are getting. I know there is a time lag between making and exporting, thus just using rough figures. Last month local sales were Falcon 2368, commodore 3771, Aurion 802, Falcon ute 802, commodore Ute 830, Camry 2232 and territory 971 for a Total of 11776, and according to the FCAI website

http://www.fcai.com.au/sales/monthly-production-volumes

There were a total of 19594 Cars made locally in November. 19594 minus 11776 equals 7818 exports. I reckon the high Australian dollar is making it very hard for Toyota (as main exporter) and Holden to a smaller extent, and 40% of local manufacturing is hanging in the balance.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

isnt that close to all the RS focuses we got here anyway>>>?

That is a fraction over half of the (315) RS's coming here. In my opinion it is selling well with only the WRX and its stablemate XR5 outselling it for the month however it is atleast $20k more than them. It would have been interesting if Ford Oz could have got them here earlier. I just thought it was funny that they basically said they were all sold out at their release.

[Road_Warrior]

The issue I have with cancelling the Focus is: whilst potential profits on the Focus itself may have been lean (the C segment is cut throat and relies on volume to keep the red ink away), the matter of fact a C-platform would have been put through R&D and testing and ultimately manufactured here, would have meant that additional top hats (like a Kuga derivative) could have been produced - a car which would have had a much fatter profit margin. Not only that, the additional throughput at the plant and R&D costs could have been used to subsidise and support ongoing Falcon development and production. It wouldn't matter then if the Falcon's sales plummet, because there would be another vehicle line to keep the lights on at FoA.

Regardless of what has gone under the bridge with the Focus now, I still believe there needs to be a third vehicle line at the plant, for the reasons I outlined above, because if they turn the lights out, they won't come back on again and closing that assembly plant would be like ripping the heart and soul out of Ford Australia.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Regardless of what has gone under the bridge with the Focus now, I still believe there needs to be a third vehicle line at the plant, for the reasons I outlined above, because if they turn the lights out, they won't come back on again and closing that assembly plant would be like ripping the heart and soul out of Ford Australia.

It depends what happens with three very important products next year:
1) TDCI Territory I-6 volume might drop 25% but profitable TDCI will be around 50%, a nett gain
2) LILPG Falcon, E-Gas was around 20% of Falcon production -LILPG is Vital to Falcon (4 days/month)
3) Ecoboost I-4 Falcon, the new efficient car set to bring quite a few conquest sales.

So conservatively, an increase of 500/month on each of the three new models
will see production increase by about 40% from 4,000/month to 5,500/month.
All of those are fairly profitable models, I think Ford will be away again with them.

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by Brazen

1) Commodore and Falcon are still in the top ten, even if they could get into the top 50 in the US or Uk they would be doing well and adding volume to local production..

Corolla, Hilux, Mazda 3 are in the top ten, probably without the thought that these cars needed to come to australia. The manufacturers merely use the 5% production capacity they have left over after supplying the other car markets of the world. Its the cream they dont need, so can price however they want in the australian market.

2) The cancellation of contract lost Holden money, not the export itself. Pontiac was a dying brand with no GM support and yet some months there were selling more G8s there then they were selling Commodores here

So they shut down an export market with larger sales than the local sales, and were making profits on them, whereas they werent on the local sales. My god, they really are stupid at Holden.

3) Holden has said they are running currently at a profit, and I think Ford has said something similiar. And if they are not? Then why not build cars people want to buy, such as the C-segment which attracts more profitable private buyers.

Dont recall anyone saying they were running at a profit on the local assembly operations. I do recall Reuss saying, if it wasnt for this or for that, we would have made a profit, and do recall Ford Oz saying they made a $10 million profit, but they didnt clarify if this was from making cars, or from selling imported cars.

4) Its true, Ford AU was given the contract by Detroit but Burela cancelled it as one of his first steps in management.

And the result of this call was that local production has halved in a few years. Maybe they want him to achieve the same in China.

5) By making the Focus the bread and butter of Broadmeadows, they can position the Falcon more upmarket on lower volumes. This more premium product would have more tech and be more appealing to OS buyers. At the moment Falcon has to carry the factory hence it needs to be positioned more at fleet territory to get sustainable volumes, local Focus could take over that role if it was built here

.

You cant spread butter on crumbs. With current sales of 12,000 per year, and the need of some magic potion to increase sales many fold, it was always going to be crumbs.

6) Locally produced Focus would increase sales: A) private and fleet buyers who prefer locally made (such as governments) would swallow them up

Yeah i know, the mitsy 380, the camry hybrid, the aurion, just flourish because the governments bought or buy them for their australianese.

, B) ford AU can tailor make the model mix to suit local tastes (such as sport models) and conditions

And they have attained this skill from where, Falcon production, territory production, wagon production maybe from the huge sales success currently being experienced by the Fairlane (lol)

, C) Ford AU wont be on a 6 month lead time on shipments they can adjust the model mix as demand grows or falls for particular variants,

That must be a bummer, I wonder how the other manufacturers cope when they import the other 88% of cars that australians want to buy

D) local press and media of Focus production would generate interest in the vehicle

I'll just rehash the line from above = And they have attained this skill from where, Falcon production, territory production, wagon production maybe from the huge sales success currently being experienced by the Fairlane (lol)

, E) Ford AU will no longer be last in line in having to secure Focus production from OS plants which puts considerable constraints on volumes

I think the constraints are placed on the leadership of the planning and logistical departments at Ford Oz. Education alleviates that problem.

Tell me of one car plant in the world that doesnt have the capacity or wouldnt want to increase the current output.

[Joe5619]

Here my 2 cents worth!!
If the only way to keep Falcon/ territory viable is to have a focus (or 3rd) car built here, then Falcon/ territory is NOT viable & should be closed down ASAP. And I read a few people on here saying that Focus production would help keep Falcon viable, which I think is very bad business policy... Personally, I like the direction Ford has taken, because they are trying to make the Falcon/ territory viable on their own merits. EB I4 for the Falcon & Diesel for Territory will be good I think.

[sandmanls1]

Holden also kill Ford in fleet sales on all models. Have you tried to get a Focus for fleet evaluation? Holden let us have a Cruze for 3 weeks (petrol and diesel) when they had just come out and were hard to get. With Ford you have to deal through the dealers who are woeful, Holden you deal direct (and Mitsubishi). Corolla still gets a lot of govt fleet sales as well. Holden bend over backwards to help etc, Ford don't seem interested. Guess question of profit vs volume.

[Gobes32]

I will go out on a limb and suggest that out of the three local manufacturers, Ford is the safest and Toyota in the most trouble. Reason being, Aurion is a flop no matter how you look at it, and Camry can be produced anywhere in the world and with Australia's dollar so strong we are no longer a viable exporting hub. Also, the Japanese are ruthless businessmen, and will not hesitate to close plants if it means better profits.

As for Holden, the Cruze is sink or swim time for them, they get this wrong and kiss it all goodbye.

And the reason I feel Ford is strong, 4000 units sold every month with a potential 2000 units a month by the end of 2011 if TD Terry, LiLPG and ecoboost all launch sucsessfully. Good times are a coming Ford fans..................

[GTP-03]

In the Adelaide Advertiser there was a full page add claiming the 6 cylinder Falcon sedan was the best selling 6 cylinder sedan car last month!

[My poor XF]

Originally Posted by GTP-03

In the Adelaide Advertiser there was a full page add claiming the 6 cylinder Falcon sedan was the best selling 6 cylinder sedan car last month!

Pics? I missed that one.