Ford is Looking Back - XR8

[roushfenway]

I love the XR8. I've owned one and think they are a great brand, but Ford just screwed around with this one too much and lost the opportunity. Ford management marginalised the V8 Falcon with their actions over the past few years and I think it is just to late to turn that around now. It is like so much Ford Australia does, another lost opportunity.

I totally agree with this perspective. I've had three and they've all been great vehicles. But the XR8 is symptomatic of the whole systematic Ford marketing/sales/stuff-ups over the past five years at least.

I think it's best symbolised by the Falcon wagon. Treat potential buyers with contempt, a complete lack of advertising and engineering imagination, failing to upgrade the vehicle over many years, then killing off the model when sales inevitably fall over the cliff.

Try as hard as I can, I've never ever seen a Mondeo wagon on the road.

If they're moving away from the V8, the problem is they fail to highlight driving excitement anywhere else in the range. Ford spend a fortune on the WRC, but I've never seen (please correct me if I'm wrong) a mainstream Focus ad highlighting their rally involvement or Ford's rally heritage.

Anyhow, just my two-bob's worth!