Has Ford Simply got it Wrong?

[markb]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

"Why isn't that other car a Falcon"...?

Of course, unfortunately "advertising" and "Falcon" are two words that are rarely seen together...

Up to the last 4 months I haven't had a TV so couldn't comment on this but currently there are multiple ecoboost ads during shows like the biggest loser on channel 10 and the project I think.

So I am not sure what you are talking about if taking QLD into account - sure it's not what you are talking about as a comparision but it's on every night in prime time.

Like the OP said there are no ads for hilux or corrolla or any other cars other than the new barina? ford is there advertising Fiesta, Terri and ecoboost - not sure what else than can do?

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I don't think it would have done much to overall sales considering we have down days coming up, but i've been absolutely pumped in turbo builds the whole month of April. Its only just died off in the last few days and gone back to normal.

Thanks Boss for the info. How many turbo engines were built in April?

This is what Ford need to do. Get more people into their true performance cars. There should be more margin in these costs with the Turbos going for about $5k more than the atmo sixes. Surely, even with turbo, intercooler, plumbing, uprated gearbox etc the cost would be $2k. So a much better margin.

Falcon is a sports / performance / luxury large sedan. It is no longer mainstream.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by markb

Up to the last 4 months I haven't had a TV so couldn't comment on this but currently there are multiple ecoboost ads during shows like the biggest loser on channel 10 and the project I think.

So I am not sure what you are talking about if taking QLD into account - sure it's not what you are talking about as a comparision but it's on every night in prime time.

Like the OP said there are no ads for hilux or corrolla or any other cars other than the new barina? ford is there advertising Fiesta, Terri and ecoboost - not sure what else than can do?

not to mention the ford kuga in association with the high rating show 'the voice' on ch9. massive exposure right there.

[phillyc]

Under Polites there was a renaissance in product with the launch of the Territory and BA Falcon. The Territory has been to Ford and the Falcon platform a real blessing. The average transaction price is much higher.

Unfortunately under Gorman, he killed the Territory diesel that was already in development back in 2004-5. Unfortunately they missed many years of even higher margins and many sales due to the lack of diesel. Hello development money gone astray. Ford need to continue to grow Territory. One way is offer a Zetec/XR Territory in both diesel and petrol form.

Gorman also didn't show much interest in V8Supercars and didn't do hardly any cross promotion of the terrific success that they had with BA-BF with Ambrose, Lowndes, Whincup, Ingall, Bright or Frosty. The linkage with performance and Falcon was effectively forgotten. The opposition marketed the link regardless of their lack of success in the era. Hence better image.

Ford need to regrow Falcon and get some large FPV sales happening. They also need to attract people who are interested in just an economical(Ecoboost) family car too in order to maintain volume.

[prydey]

and for those who insist on singling out the falcon all the time, maybe a visit to the tech resources page every once in a while wouldn't hurt. here's an example of the info readily available thanks to the great work by Russ.



maybe i'm seeing different, but looks to me both commodore and falcon are trending pretty much identical.

also, if you look at last months sales, FORD was actually up 8%, the highest of the top 5 makes.

so whilst their large car may not be going gang busters (no large car is!) the FORD products are actually doing pretty well, so i think FORD are actually doing much better than any give them credit for.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Thanks Boss for the info. How many turbo engines were built in April?

This is what Ford need to do. Get more people into their true performance cars. There should be more margin in these costs with the Turbos going for about $5k more than the atmo sixes. Surely, even with turbo, intercooler, plumbing, uprated gearbox etc the cost would be $2k. So a much better margin.

Falcon is a sports / performance / luxury large sedan. It is no longer mainstream.

I couldn't say the total, but it was around 12-15 on most days of April.

[ryeman]

Ford US got it wrong in not understanding the NON US market desire for diesels in sedans and SUV versions of same.
They would have practically owned the top end of Oz if they had had diesel 20 years ago as an option in their utes particularly.(farmers etc)
Outside the F series they have no real interest in diesels.
Cede management to the German arm.l

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I couldn't say the total, but it was around 12-15 on most days of April.

That's cool. An estimate of 250 for the month is a nice figure. Means that potentially there was better than about 1 in 5 Falcons (sedan or ute) which were a turbo.

For most of 2011 the FPV percentage was running around 10%. Even if there was 50-100 FPV sold in April 2013, then that is about 5%.

So, 25% of Falcon sales are effectively high performance buyers! Just need to maintain that percentage and increase volume... But with the plant at 148/day, until the newer 2014 Territory and 2014 Falcon arrive that won't change. We are locked into 1200 Falcon & 1200 Territory a month.

I think Ford are right to have the prices they now have if it forces more people into the higher profit performance cars.

[jpd80]

Courtesy of Tech resources, this graph underscores the market trend over the last ten years,
clearly SUVs are replacing large sedans if not the heart than certainly in the driveways of most buyers...

[getjpi]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Unfortunately under Gorman, he killed the Territory diesel that was already in development back in 2004-5. Unfortunately they missed many years of even higher margins and many sales due to the lack of diesel.

What an asinine decision.
Petrol SUVs don't tend to sell that well outside of the US and the Gulf States. They can't claim ignorance on this.

As bad as the other lot canning the Commodore with the VM Oil Burner when it was almost ready.

A Calais sportwagon with the 3L VM Motori TDI and 180 odd KW/500nm, more lost export opportunity....

[getjpi]

Originally Posted by ryeman

Ford US got it wrong in not understanding the NON US market desire for diesels in sedans and SUV versions of same.
They would have practically owned the top end of Oz if they had had diesel 20 years ago as an option in their utes particularly.(farmers etc)

Indeed...

It's not like the engines were unavailable either, given that Ford Europe were using PSA XDs of varying capacities for years in everything from the Escort upwards and then from the late 90s building for themselves and PSA.

There is a long history of co-operation in this space amongst makers in Europe. The 2.5 litre oil burner sold by GM in the Open/Vauxhall Omega was sourced from BMW.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by ryeman

Ford US got it wrong in not understanding the NON US market desire for diesels in sedans and SUV versions of same.
They would have practically owned the top end of Oz if they had had diesel 20 years ago as an option in their utes particularly.(farmers etc)
Outside the F series they have no real interest in diesels.
Cede management to the German arm.l

China and the US is Fords biggest market, neither of which want diesels.

The less soot chuckers on the road the better.

[UberKnee]

As it pertains to Ford Global looking after us, we're small fish. A tiny piece of the global puzzle and total profit that Ford makes.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by UberKnee

As it pertains to Ford Global looking after us, we're small fish. A tiny piece of the global puzzle and total profit that Ford makes.

people don't seem to get this one simple MASSIVE fact. Ford aus cannot do everything it may want to get done...and it certainly cant take blind leaps on perceived markets without solid data. They get it wrong here ..its gone for good. I mean theyre building world class cars for the prices now and its a close call on sustainability...but still people ask and demand ford do more. Come on people...seriously...are you really the experts here??? no.. so give it up