March 2015 vfacts - Holden 4th Ford 7th

Syndrome · 07-04-2015, 05:18 PM

The once mighty brands continue their slide onto become bit players in a market they once dominated.

http://www.news.com.au/finance/busin...-1227294494019

http://www.caradvice.com.au/346679/m...rs-and-losers/

Rob 351 · 07-04-2015, 06:08 PM

Eternal optimist here.......Falcon sales were up for the first time since 2013!

I understand Holden sales falling as besides from Commodore & Caprice, the rest of the line up is fairly ordinary. Fords line up on the other hand is some of the best in the business right across the range.

Nothing that hasn't been said before I guess!

**DFB FGXR6** · 07-04-2015, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob 351

Fords line up on the other hand is some of the best in the business right across the range.

Nothing that hasn't been said before I guess!

Really makes you wonder how Mitsubishi can beat Ford into 6th place with a range of vehicles that would have to be the dullest and most dated on the market.

Good to see Falcon up, but what will be the excuse this month. Supply constraints, factory problems, public holidays, the moons of Jupiter not in alignment............

DanielXR8 · 07-04-2015, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Really makes you wonder how Mitsubishi can beat Ford into 6th place with a range of vehicles that would have to be the dullest and most dated on the market.

Good to see Falcon up, but what will be the excuse this month. Supply constraints, factory problems, public holidays, the moons of Jupiter not in alignment............

And if none of those work, we will get the "You can't comment unless you bought a new car" rants.

Both brands are in trouble. Time for Ford to stop going softly, softly on the changes needed and go for it. Ford US needs to send out the team to clear out Ford Australia and the dealers and start the long, hard road to rebuilding the brand. It will take a decade or more, but nothing else is going to fix it. Certainly not a new car or a new car commercial. This is a much deeper problem. It took years for Ford Australia to get the brand in this mess, it will take years to turn it around.

minheim · 07-04-2015, 07:27 PM

[QUOTE=DFB FGXR6;5368084]Really makes you wonder how Mitsubishi can beat Ford into 6th place with a range of vehicles that would have to be the dullest and most dated on the market.

Service at dealerships is pretty good and the vehicles are very reliable and cheap to maintain so repeat custom is helped along. That together with competitive pricing and increased standard equipment to offset the age of some of the range also aids sales.

The poor reputation of the DCT fitted to focus and fiesta doesn't do Ford any favours either.

Brazen · 07-04-2015, 07:30 PM

I think Ford has a lot up its sleave with Everest although the marketing continues to be absolutely shocking. Anyone seen that Kuga ad where the girl says that it has 30% more power than a Rav4 and everyone is disbelieving? I'm obviously not the target market lol.

I think they have a great range but they need to offer more options across their range. No sunroof on the Focus St, no sat nav, xenons, leather and sunroof option on the Fiesta ST. All the other imports offer a lot of options and sure it only adds 5% sales here and 10% there - but it all adds up.

Also the pricing is pretty crazy good in the market. The latest Outback is the size of a tank yet only $35,990 with AWD and standard Eyesight. Sold 1180 units last month.

Ford is in a much much better position than Holden. The free loan cars for services is handy.

SumoDog68 · 07-04-2015, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Really makes you wonder how Mitsubishi can beat Ford into 6th place with a range of vehicles that would have to be the dullest and most dated on the market.

Good to see Falcon up, but what will be the excuse this month. Supply constraints, factory problems, public holidays, the moons of Jupiter not in alignment............

Mitsubishi is selling value and 5 year warranty - all of their cars are older designs , reliable but behind on latest tech.

galaxy xr8 · 07-04-2015, 07:40 PM

So in those segments that have increased across the board, how have the Ford branded products in those segments faired ?.

**Fordman1** · 07-04-2015, 08:26 PM

Marketing spec, price, and market the imported Ford product.

They really are muppets, Graziano is gone, let's see how long the new bloke lasts ...

Ford 7th ?

There is a huge brand problem, and someone needs to fix it ....

XR Martin · 07-04-2015, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Mitsubishi is selling value and 5 year warranty - all of their cars are older designs , reliable but behind on latest tech.

Hold on, according to people on here the reason Fords dont sell is due to lack of tech. You telling me the evidence doesnt support this?

**Fordman1** · 07-04-2015, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Hold on, according to people on here the reason Fords dont sell is due to lack of tech. You telling me the evidence doesnt support this?

Mitsubishi are selling on price.

Ford have burned themselves and their brand stinks as far as the public thinks !

Ford have got a lot of work to do....

Smoke Pursuit · 07-04-2015, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Really makes you wonder how Mitsubishi can beat Ford into 6th place with a range of vehicles that would have to be the dullest and most dated on the market.

Good to see Falcon up, but what will be the excuse this month. Supply constraints, factory problems, public holidays, the moons of Jupiter not in alignment............

Easy price point... $29,990 for a triton diesel 4x4, with wheels, steps etc.

**buggerlugs** · 07-04-2015, 09:46 PM

Ranger so close to knocking off the Commodore. Who would of though that................

SumoDog68 · 07-04-2015, 10:36 PM

I remember when I used to work for a Ford supplier - pretty sure daily build was 700 cars , now Falcon sells that a month.
Cars like Focus are in tight and competitve market - Golf , Mazda 3 , Corolla , Kia , Hyundai , Lancer , Impreza ,Cruise , Civic ,Pulsar etc.
With so many players sales numbers are not easy to achieve .
Ranger (and Jeep GC) show that if you create a distinctively good car , sales will come your way.

Chopped · 07-04-2015, 11:02 PM

Ranger's master stroke was a 5 star ANCAP rating when Hilux was still only 4.
Made it standout to fleets.

Plus it's an all round good vehicle.

csv8 · 07-04-2015, 11:17 PM

Without Ranger Ford would be up the proverbial creek without a paddle!!!! Anyone concerned why Fiesta, Focus, etc aren't selling ???. Alarm bells should be deafening!!
Price, dct box, (put a proper auto in the cars) come to mind.. eg Focus Titanium should be near Cruze Sri V price.. Next month Holden have Astra and Cascada in line up. New Focus and Mondeo cannt come quick enough...So sad......

XR Martin · 08-04-2015, 12:30 AM

One problem with the Fiesta and Focus is the wipers and indicators being on the Euro side.
Sure Euro snobs dont mind it as they see it as somehow being superior (being 'Euro' and all)
But when it comes to Ford its a problem, and ive known people to not buy a car based on this minor issue.

**PG2** · 08-04-2015, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

One problem with the Fiesta and Focus is the wipers and indicators being on the Euro side.
Sure Euro snobs dont mind it as they see it as somehow being superior (being 'Euro' and all)
But when it comes to Ford its a problem, and ive known people to not buy a car based on this minor issue.

We have a 2014 Focus and the wipers and indicators are on the "correct" side.

Syndrome · 08-04-2015, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

There is a huge brand problem, .

Bingo!

djst1 · 08-04-2015, 12:47 AM

[QUOTE=DFB FGXR6;5368084]Really makes you wonder how Mitsubishi can beat Ford into 6th place with a range of vehicles that would have to be the dullest and most dated on the market.

I had a similar opinion and a saying ( bitsare****ty), generally from older models (sigma)and peoples opinions of older days and models.
One of the vehicles I own is now a Mitsubishi,for the last couple of years,I have been on several trips,and around Australia towing a 2.5 tonne caravan,thrown everything at the vehicle and it has not missed a beat,build Quality is better than any previous Fords i have owned,and the Customer service is chalk and cheese.
At heart i am still a Ford Man,drive several fords for work vehicles,and own 2 x fords.
To be honest there is not alot that interests me in the current range at present,due to build quality issues,customer service,Range selection,value for money.

Franco Cozzo · 08-04-2015, 01:30 AM

Problem is why would you buy Focus (unless you were going ST/RS) when you can have the better Mazda 3?

The NA Petrol Focus is junk with its 2L engine and 5sp manual, at least with the SP25 (mid range model) Mazda 3 you get a decent 2.5L engine and 6 gears, and if you want an auto it has a 6sp slushbox not a DSG. Not only that its made in Japan still not Thailand like the Focus.

Then when we get "new Mondeo" its already 3 years old, Subaru has dropped the price of its new 3.6L 6 cylinder Liberty by a few thousand over the previous model, top spec 6 cylinder Liberty is $43K, Mondeo is $50K+

Kia Rio has 103KW/6sp manual/6sp slushbox and 7 year warranty, it wins out over Fiesta Ecoboost with its DSG.

I've bought two new small Fords in the last 6 years, looking at the current options, Kia/Mazda would get my money if I wanted another new small car, the new 3 is hard to beat and the Kia Rio is the car to buy in the super-mini segment.

The only models Ford has going for it are:

Falcon
Territory
Ranger

Everything else at the moment, meh.

1TUFFUTE · 08-04-2015, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

Ford have burned themselves and their brand stinks as far as the public thinks !

Ford have got a lot of work to do....

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Hold on, according to people on here the reason Fords dont sell is due to lack of tech. You telling me the evidence doesnt support this?

Barra xr8.....do you have any polls or reviews or stats that back this opinion up? Just wondering as I personally think it's a total cop out, and unfounded amoung the masses. The Ford brand does NOT stink......

IMHO

CyberWasp · 08-04-2015, 08:35 AM

Guys you obviously don't smoke the same weed as the Ford Management.

This was one of Fords best months ever. Champagne corks are flying everywhere through their offices, with party hats and streamers.

Ford is a premium product. It does not compete against the common brands like Holden and Toyota. Mercedes-Benz and BMW are its competitors and it beat them comprehensively. That is a win.

Get with the program guys and charge a glass to Ford.

FG50T · 08-04-2015, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Problem is why would you buy Focus (unless you were going ST/RS) when you can have the better Mazda 3?

There are a lot of people out there that will have something be the deciding factor on a car make be something like:

brakes felt nicer
came in better colours
could see out the back window better
preferred the steering wheel buttons to the other

Everyone is different.

TheSneakiness · 08-04-2015, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Ford is a premium product.

Just literally spat Coke all over my monitors.

You're telling me Ford is in the same league as Lexus, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Audi?

Get your hand off it.

new2ford · 08-04-2015, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

One problem with the Fiesta and Focus is the wipers and indicators being on the Euro side.
Sure Euro snobs dont mind it as they see it as somehow being superior (being 'Euro' and all)
But when it comes to Ford its a problem, and ive known people to not buy a car based on this minor issue.

Try having a Territory and a BMW in the garage and regularly swapping between them. I drive around more corners with my windscreen wipers on than you can poke a stick at!

new2ford · 08-04-2015, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

You're telling me Ford is in the same league as ... BMW, Mercedes Benz and Audi?

Well now you mention it ....

In a frantic search to find something to replace the Territory's combination of practicality and driving experience, those are the only brands I've found to match.

Actually I think Ford has a lot going for it if they go about it properly. It has a great trio of Euros at one end of the market and the Australian-designed Ranger and Everest at the other. They have the potential to make a killing with these, much more than anything Holden has.

vztrt · 08-04-2015, 09:56 AM

Anyone have the Falcon Ute numbers?

**Polyal** · 08-04-2015, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

Just literally spat Coke all over my monitors.

You're telling me Ford is in the same league as Lexus, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Audi?

Get your hand off it.

I am pretty confident it was sarcasm.

More of a reflection that while morally its great that Ford have superior products in terms of finish and performance the flip side is it costs. And most people are not seeing the quality benefits that are there and on some products its dubious.

The comment before about if its not ST/RS/XR then why bother sounds about right.

Imolator · 08-04-2015, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Problem is why would you buy Focus (unless you were going ST/RS) when you can have the better Mazda 3?

The NA Petrol Focus is junk with its 2L engine and 5sp manual, at least with the SP25 (mid range model) Mazda 3 you get a decent 2.5L engine and 6 gears, and if you want an auto it has a 6sp slushbox not a DSG. Not only that its made in Japan still not Thailand like the Focus.

I don't know If I would call the Focus junk, but surfing brouchures it does engine wise look old school in comparison to the much of the competition.

I wonder if the DCT in the Focus can be blamed for lack of sales. AFAIR the Focus sold approx 670 in Feb compared to the Golf which has a DSG also selling about 1780.

This March the Golf sold 2198, so it having a DSG is doing well. Cant find Focus figures for March yet but would be surprised if it improved on Feb figures.

I reckon its not product that is hurting Ford. Its the combination of years of crap marketing, corporate leadership and a really bad Dealer network.

Their previous arrogance and general treatment of their customer base has finally come home to roost.