September VFACTS

[dimka100]

Sais it all doesn't it ... I think Ford is getting the clear message that imports is where its at ...

Originally Posted by aquahead2001

Goauto had this little snippet:

Falcon sales floundered another 30.4 per cent, to 1188 units, while Territory slumped 21.4 per cent, to 1096 units.

Mercifully for Ford dealers, the Focus small car and Ranger SUV helped to take up the slack, with Focus sales doubling to 1687 units and Ranger achieving 1801 sales – up from 1364 in the same month last year.

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257A8D000C8FEF

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

Whilst I understand your sentiment, I must correct that bluetooth and ipod connectivity were not standard in the early model FGs. They were optioned under the 'Tech' pack.

Craig H

Yep, and when FGII rolled around it was by that time standard, and curtain airbags, rear parking sensors, emergency brake assist and support for USB media devices was added as standard too - all on the povvo spec XT. It's 2008 styling and pricing arent helping its cause though.

Originally Posted by dimka100

Sais it all doesn't it ... I think Ford is getting the clear message that imports is where its at ...

Well...all car makers have imports as their volume sellers, the key finding from the stats is that C-sized cars and SUV's are where it's at. But there's no point cheering about sales if no money is made from them...

[jpd80]

What we're missing here is that Ford has more new products arriving next year, Ecosport and new Kuga,
those two products are in segments where a lot of growth and buyers exist, the signs are good for Ford.

Instead of monthly flagellation over Falcon and Territory sales, we should be look to Ford's vacant segments,
three SUVs could make a lot of difference, Ecosport, Kuga and T6 SUV all adding thousands of monthly sales.
I can't see any other regional competitor with anything like Ford's potential to change its circumstances.

[csv8]

I know certain FF members will see my comment as negative but please price them competively..KUGA is over priced.. Anyone have sales figures for Kuga.
?

[Poetic Justice]

Does Focus have standard cruise control? (In the base model?)

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by csv8

I know certain FF members will see my comment as negative but please price them competively..KUGA is over priced.. Anyone have sales figures for Kuga.
?

I've seen Kuga Trend for $34,990 drive away, I don't see that as unreasonable given the performance of the I-5T

[Thunder]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I've seen Kuga Trend for $34,990 drive away, I don't see that as unreasonable given the performance of the I-5T

Anyone here sat in a Kuga that has been sitting in the sun? I did at the dealership, not a nice experience. Coincidentaly, dealership only sold one Kuga.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by SCUD

Does Focus have standard cruise control? (In the base model?)

Ambunte has no cruise control standard and I don't see it listed as an option,
maybe now that Focus is built in Thailand, FoA could have it added...

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Thunder

Anyone here sat in a Kuga that has been sitting in the sun? I did at the dealership, not a nice experience. Coincidentaly, dealership only sold one Kuga.

Cars with dark interiors and no tinted glass are a problem in our climate are when left in the sun....
Many owners of Falcons with black interiors can attest to the heat build up,
especially if the windscreen is facing the sun.

[kevino]

Ambient does not have cruise and I have read in the focus forums that it cant be retrofitted.
Ambiente does not have a 6 speed manual just a 5 speed.

So the 323 Neo vs Ford Focus Ambiente comparison says for $1300 more you can get a 2 litre with more horsepower and torque , a 6 speed manual and cruise control.

I woudl like to buy a Focus but there are 4 compelling reasons for the Mazda 323 Neo------horsepower, torque, 6 speed manual and cruise.

You might say but look at the focus Trend at 22k............but not available in sedan manual gearbox form and retains only a 5 speed manual.

Comments? I ,m replacing a 2006 Focus sedan soon.

I think the Mazda 3 and Focus are the best options and would like to go Ford but..............as above.

[Poetic Justice]

So it's a bit of the pot calling the kettle black suggesting Corolla is inferior for not having cruise as standard, then, right?

New Corolla comes out end of October with cruise standard in the base model.

[BHDOGS]

I use my foot to Cruise along at a certain speed for a set period perhaps more drive education is the answer Instead of a cruise whinge thread

[XR Martin]

I had 1983 626 that had cruise control, you would think by now every car should have it.
Id certainly prefer it over most of the crap features you do get instead.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I've seen Kuga Trend for $34,990 drive away, I don't see that as unreasonable given the performance of the I-5T

Trend has come down $5k since first release ? great !! I suppose the Titanium is still $45k???? that should be $39990 drive away ????

[kevino]

I would not say its a cruise control whinge fest.
In my case I commute 60kms along a quietish motorway to work. Having cruise set at 110km/hr keeps speeding tickets away and make the driver easier.
AS when I get to to work I drive a multi cog manual gearbox truck another 200-500km a day and then get back in the car cruise control just makes my day a little easier.

Ones ankles calves etc get a little worn out driving trucks, hence my desire for cruise control in the car.

[Brazen]

Sadly it looks almost certain that Falcon won't reach 15000 sales this year.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by csv8

KUGA is over priced

Better not look at the price of the top-spec Mazda CX5 then.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Yep, and when FGII rolled around it was by that time standard, and curtain airbags, rear parking sensors, emergency brake assist and support for USB media devices was added as standard too - all on the povvo spec XT. It's 2008 styling and pricing arent helping its cause though.

I think I sound like a broken record, but pricing is the biggest issue. I wish their pricing strategy reverted back to what Ford used to do with pricing - big car for the price of a small. Most buyers pick small cars over large purely due to price, the fuel economy aspect is way down the list of priorities, hence record SUV sales.

[Nikked]

Cruise control? Is that what those little buttons are on my EL's steering wheel.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Brazen

I think I sound like a broken record, but pricing is the biggest issue. I wish their pricing strategy reverted back to what Ford used to do with pricing - big car for the price of a small. Most buyers pick small cars over large purely due to price, the fuel economy aspect is way down the list of priorities, hence record SUV sales.


image

Were Ford really selling them for the price if a four, or were the tariffs pushing the fours to the price of a six...

Ford can't be expected to give away the cars. If its not going to be the price getting them into a large car, it'll be economy. Then running costs. Then resale. Then something else. By the time they fix everything they'll be sent out of business.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by kevino

AS when I get to to work I drive a multi cog manual gearbox truck another 200-500km a day and then get back in the car cruise control just makes my day a little easier.

Ones ankles calves etc get a little worn out driving trucks, hence my desire for cruise control in the car.

so why look for a manual gearbox?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by csv8

Trend has come down $5k since first release ? great !! I suppose the Titanium is still $45k???? that should be $39990 drive away ????

How about $41,990 driveaway

[Mad_Pom]

Originally Posted by csv8

I know certain FF members will see my comment as negative but please price them competively..KUGA is over priced.. Anyone have sales figures for Kuga.
?

It has the same engine (with different tune) as the old XR5. This is very close to being a hot hatch.

When the next version arrive next year, with smaller engines and diesel, this will be a different vehicle.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

I use my foot to Cruise along at a certain speed for a set period perhaps more drive education is the answer Instead of a cruise whinge thread

I completely dissagree.. Less time spent looking down at the dash at 100+ to ensure you're not speeding & more time looking at the road can only a good thing!!

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I completely dissagree.. Less time spent looking down at the dash at 100+ to ensure you're not speeding & more time looking at the road can only a good thing!!

yup, i use cruise all day every day. i even disagree with those who say its only for the highway.

the FG setup is extremely easy to use (best cruise setup on any car i've driven) and i use it even in 50 zones. as long as i have a few car lengths ahead of me, cruise is on. you can flick it on and off and change speeds without looking at the buttons... i love it.

i hate driving cars without cruise.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I completely dissagree.. Less time spent looking down at the dash at 100+ to ensure you're not speeding & more time looking at the road can only a good thing!!

Do you look when you change gears too? Speed management isn't that difficult.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

Do you look when you change gears too? Speed management isn't that difficult.

No, I know wear the gears are, but Im not good enough to "sense" how quick Im going, I need to look at the dash for that one!! Why do I need to manage it but I can push a button that will manage it for me.. I guess things like ABS are crap to you too??

[Brazen]

Want sales ? Just make this already

[prydey]

i think that styling is stuck in last century

[Thunder]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Cars with dark interiors and no tinted glass are a problem in our climate are when left in the sun....
Many owners of Falcons with black interiors can attest to the heat build up,
especially if the windscreen is facing the sun.

Kuga has a full glass roof! With no availability to open it at all, and the "shade" cloth is full of holes, so you always get the sun in! Not good for Australia.

Glass roof should have a proper "full" curtain or at least the availability to open roof like a sunroof.