Ford Australia post-2016...what should it look like?

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by fte50

Ford Australia post-2016...what should it look like?

It should look like a company whos new products dont appeal to the nation and families it betrayed, and always struggling to gain ground in market leadership.
But most of all, it should look like a company whos products can never outsell those that are made in Australia.

You might think that's what it SHOULD look like, but the reality is Ford Oz will sell more cars (proportionately) than it ever has, with an expanded range fighting for sales in pretty much every segment.

After years of neglect from consumers, a vindictive media, and a government making manufacturing more difficult every day...I think its Ford Motor Company who should be filthy on Australia, not the opposite. I don't blame them for pulling up stumps, though I'm saddened by it.

[SSD-85]

Originally Posted by jpd80

but more than hatchbacks, I think Ford's future lies with its many SUV and crossovers:
Ecosport, Kuga, Edge, Explorer and Everest.

If im not mistaken, SUV wagons & crossovers have hatches..
That's why I didnt say "hatchback" to avoid confusion.

Ill be more concise next time.

[Raptor]

I think I'll just go buy a Lincoln (age wise I'm entering my Fairmont/Fairlane years )

I don't think our Falcon's DNA is dead yet.

I wouldn't say no to a Raptor though. A Raptor for Raptor

[UberKnee]

Originally Posted by fte50

Ford Australia post-2016...what should it look like?

It should look like a company whos new products dont appeal to the nation and families it betrayed, and always struggling to gain ground in market leadership.
But most of all, it should look like a company whos products can never outsell those that are made in Australia.

Seriously? This stuff again? Why should Ford continue to sink money to no reward into a tiny market that has basically shuned the Ford product?

If people are so upset about Ford betraying Australia, maybe they should have bought more Fords in Australia.

[Bossxr8]

Mustang is a lock.

There will be no large car, Ford are pulling out of that segment, its no longer worth having one as the segment is so tiny. According to Graziano anyway.

Highly doubt the F series will come here either, no factory RHD version available.

Edge and Explorer are possibilities if they do decide to make them in RHD.

Maybe Lincoln, I dunno. They look like crap to me but everyone seems to want to enter this market, Infiniti etc.

KA has been looked at but its a premium model with a premium price. Smaller than Fiesta but probably a similar price.

[Kayos]

Give us a year bossxr8

FH may be the last daily ford I'd want to own, unless Mustang makes it here! Then it's srt for me..

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Mustang is a lock.

There will be no large car, Ford are pulling out of that segment, its no longer worth having one as the segment is so tiny. According to Graziano anyway.

Highly doubt the F series will come here either, no factory RHD version available.

Edge and Explorer are possibilities if they do decide to make them in RHD.

Maybe Lincoln, I dunno. They look like crap to me but everyone seems to want to enter this market, Infiniti etc.

KA has been looked at but its a premium model with a premium price. Smaller than Fiesta but probably a similar price.

Is it really worth having the Mustang?
as we have seen coupes only sell in limited numbers in Aus, once the novelty wears off.
They dont get repeat business.

[fte50]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

...I think its Ford Motor Company who should be filthy on Australia, not the opposite. I don't blame them for pulling up stumps, though I'm saddened by it.

Hardly, this is more about the US parent company killing off any real inhouse competition in a bid to supply a large global platform and uphold Obamas new manufacturing plan, aswell as pleasing the American Auto Workers Union.

[janddbone]

Do you want to see a return to F-series trucks? Yes
Should Mustang be a part of the lineup? Yes
What do we think about their USA SUV lineup? They will do!
Does Ford need another large sedan or is Mondeo about right today? Size is fine, needs to be RWD.
What can they do better from a marketing perspective? More of it!

[GT-spec15]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Mustang is a lock.

Bloody fantastic - though it'll need to be priced realistically if they want to actually shift some.

It'll be interesting to see if they bring in a full range, or just one or two high specced expensive models.

In any case it'll provide a halo-effect, and make Ford showrooms an exciting place to be, and that can't hurt.

[UberKnee]

Originally Posted by fte50

Hardly, this is more about the US parent company killing off any real inhouse competition in a bid to supply a large global platform and uphold Obamas new manufacturing plan, aswell as pleasing the American Auto Workers Union.

Why would they, large cars have been replaced by SUVs worldwide. This is just a case of a dying segment of the market not worth being kept alive in a small country that dont even by the product anymore. If Aussies were still buying Falcons they wouldn't be shutting down.

Lets try not to turn at least one 'End Of Ford Aus' thread on this forum into a Ford sucks thread.

[GT-spec15]

Correct

The intention of this thread is to discuss Ford's future post-Falcon....not to rant about what's happening currently, as there's been plenty of that already.

[Lardman]

If they had the miami block in a mustang? Hell yeah.

[chevypower]

Isn't Ford Australia going to survive for global produce engineering and development, or is this not the case? I would like to see some global RWD/AWD Lincolns with Ford Oz doing chassis development. I know, we all wish that.

F-series should wait until 2015 for export when the new Atlas design comes out. Don't offer too many choices and it will be sustainable. Keep the lineup simple. Limit it to the F250, 4x4 only, super and crew cabs only, two trim levels, and 2 engines: (4.4L V8 diesel from the Range over and 6.7L Power Stroke). Standard electronic 3.55:1 locking axle. No chassis cab (the bed is removable). Limiting choices will keep costs down anyway.

[Crazy Dazz]

Ford are abandoning The Falcon, Territory, and Australian manufacturing in part because their simply is not enough demand. If it was only cost of production, and the demand was still here, we would probably see some version of the Taurus sold as a Falcon. But there isn’t, so we won’t.
Why anyone would think there is sufficient demand then for Mustang or an F350 is beyond me.
The Taurus itself is on its last gasp, the 2015 model will probably be it, and I seriously doubt they’ll be building a RHD version just for us.
As has been suggested elsewhere, we may see the Territory name stuck on something like the Ranger SUV (ewe.)
They MAY make more of a push to flog the Mondeo, there are many more variants available in Europe.
There are rumours that a new Mustang will be internationalised, including a RHD version. If so, then there’s a chance of a few being flogged here at ridiculous prices, but again that is hardly like to be a major push.

For the most part, the “expanded range with 30% more models” claim is crock of ****. Most other models you can think of COULD have been flogged here anyway, IF Ford thought it was viable.

[BHDOGS]

i predict with the fall of the dollar, oil prices rising leading to the collapse of the Australian government and the rise of vigilantly gangs who roam the roads searching for what little oil is left. Ala mad max style

[prydey]

Originally Posted by brett.r.johnstone

Does Ford need another large sedan or is Mondeo about right today? Size is fine, needs to be RWD.

ummm, why? only a handful would even care. have a look at the top selling passenger cars, and none of them are rwd.

[GT-spec15]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Why anyone would think there is sufficient demand then for Mustang or an F350 is beyond me.

My understanding is that F-series was a very strong seller when they came here some years back, and resale values remain strong which points to a solid demand for them even on the used market. Why not bring them in again? Many Australians lug big loads, whether for work or play.

As for Mustang it will all come down to price. If they can have it in showrooms at a reasonable figure I reckon they will find homes, but it will need to be substantially less than the ~$150k they seem to start at for private import.

A 'base' V8 Mustang GT for around $75k would be a good thing.

[stang65]

Originally Posted by prydey

ummm, why? only a handful would even care. have a look at the top selling passenger cars, and none of them are rwd.

So what about the handful? they buy and tell there friend and they tell there friend and they tell there friend. It`s funny all these people that say nobody cares about RWD in a large car.

I know a lot of people who do, I`m in the forties age bracket. I know these young snapper heads don`t care, they generally only drive four cylinders which are normally FWD maybe because they haven't driven RWD or their to tight to spend the money.

I have a friend 30 gave his mum the VT commodore so he could have the Corolla and there was only one reason for that and that was the price of petrol. Then you have the ladies( apart from the female enthusiasts...god bless them). They either want a cheap Four cylinder and wouldn't know which wheels were being driven unless someone told them or they want an expensive euro......

[Alan D Segal]

Originally Posted by GT-spec15

A 'base' V8 Mustang GT for around $75k would be a good thing.

No it isn't. It is around $31k in the US. Can't see how charging more than double for the same car here is a good thing.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Alan D Segal

No it isn't. It is around $31k in the US. Can't see how charging more than double for the same car here is a good thing.

Dead right. If they want to shift decent volume it's time to stop shafting down-under customers. This is a global Mustang and brings greater efficiency that comes with significantly increased production volumes. That should be reflected in ther asking prices if Ford are serious about selling them.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Dead right. If they want to shift decent volume it's time to stop shafting down-under customers. This is a global Mustang and brings greater efficiency that comes with significantly increased production volumes. That should be reflected in ther asking prices if Ford are serious about selling them.

Here is a thought.

Once they do not have all the expenses of running a factory maybe the prices will drop accordingly.

[tezxr8man]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Mustang is a lock.

There will be no large car, Ford are pulling out of that segment, its no longer worth having one as the segment is so tiny. According to Graziano anyway.

Highly doubt the F series will come here either, no factory RHD version available.

Edge and Explorer are possibilities if they do decide to make them in RHD.

Maybe Lincoln, I dunno. They look like crap to me but everyone seems to want to enter this market, Infiniti etc.

KA has been looked at but its a premium model with a premium price. Smaller than Fiesta but probably a similar price.

It's kind of random isn't it that everyone wants to sell a car here, pretty soon brands are only going to sell 3 or 4 cars here the model range is so saturated

[GT-spec15]

Originally Posted by Alan D Segal

No it isn't. It is around $31k in the US. Can't see how charging more than double for the same car here is a good thing.

I have news for you Alan - cars are substantially more expensive here than overseas for a number of reasons. A new base Porsche 911 in the States is around $80k, the same car here, $230k.

There is no way FoA will import the Mustang and sell it for the same as a mid-range Focus.

Do the math.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by flappist

Here is a thought.

Once they do not have all the expenses of running a factory maybe the prices will drop accordingly.

That's a very pleasant thought but more likely the bean counters at Ford will be on a mission to recover losses down-under and will use the historically high prices paid by Australian / N.Z. customers for performance product to extract additional margins.

[GT-spec15]

Bingo.

Why would they pass on the 'savings' and merely maintain the current lacklustre financial position?

[Rodge]

^^ I have one or two insights into how bean counters think They'll price it at what they think the market will accept and market it hard with creative marketing leveraging off Mustang's heritage.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Dead right. If they want to shift decent volume it's time to stop shafting down-under customers. This is a global Mustang and brings greater efficiency that comes with significantly increased production volumes. That should be reflected in ther asking prices if Ford are serious about selling them.

Im probably looking at this from a one eyed aspect, and no doubt will be shot down for voicing my views on this, but since I haven't really voiced it on the million other threads relating to this topic, I'll say what i have to say. If this offends, it is not my intention and perhaps its showing my naive look on the matter.

They (Aussie car manufacturers in general) will only decrease prices when the employees, suppliers, CEO's, shareholders and govco accept a lower rate of pay as well as next to no 'rights' that unions demand. Sound fair? laughable to us Aussies isn't it? well that's why some overseas manufacturers are opting for Asian countries to assemble their cars. Mainly due to the 'you dont work, you dont eat/support family' mantra. tough luck. it's not fair for the workers over there I know. It's all in the name of the mighty dollar and maximizing profits.

The way I have come to understand it is manufacturing/producing has a flow on effect. Unions demand more pay/rights for the workers, shareholders demand better returns for their investments, Consumer's demand bang for their buck, in return the manufacturer puts prices up to compensate, critics complain, sales fall, and the cycle continues until the weakest link fails, manufacturer shuts its doors and we all complain about how they should have done this, that and the other, scratch our heads and wonder what if.

I see this thread going around in circles much like the other 20 variants there are on this subject.

Bottom line with anything really, is we have developed a nation of 'want, want, want, now, now, now', and less 'give' because the 'aslong as I'm ok, screw you' attitude is prevalent we will never learn. We are then quick to spout high criticism for not getting what we want, when we want it, because we are told 'we deserve it'. it's a selfish recipe we have all burnt each other with that same thought process because it's become the norm.

We are all to blame here, we have all contributed to this mess in some way. myself included. It's human nature.

Until attitudes change we will see more and more manufacturers (not just in the car industry) going the way of the dodo. Short of divine intervention i think we will continue to tread on each other to 'get ahead because we deserve it' for years to come if we don't self destruct in the mean time.

flame away

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by brett.r.johnstone

Does Ford need another large sedan or is Mondeo about right today? Size is fine, needs to be RWD.
What can they do better from a marketing perspective? More of it!

I actually think an AWD EcoBoost(tm) Ford Fusion (in Sport and Titanium spec) loaded with tech, and an Aston Martin face could take the Aussie mid-size segment by storm.

A lot of people think (either rightly or wrongly) that AWD is betterer than front or rear wheel drive. Hell, Subaru base their whole marketing strategy around that fact.

TBH Ford's best chance of getting me back in a sedan-esque car would that very model.

[stang65]

I think you might have a point .