"Ford Australia’s sales volumes are showing some welcome signs of recovery in 2016,

[csv8]

'"Ford Australia’s sales volumes are showing some welcome signs of recovery in 2016, with growth of 17.2 per cent across the first two months of the year.

Vitally, the turnaround is happening thanks not just to incremental volume gains from brand new model lines, the Everest SUV and sold-out-for-2016 Mustang sports car, but good growth from various existing brand staples such as the Mondeo, Kuga and Ranger.

Ford Australia delivered 12,160 vehicles in January-February, up from 10,379 over the same period in 2015. This upward growth puts Ford on track to arrest an 11-year annual sales decline in Australia.

This puts Ford fifth on the charts behind Toyota (28,644), Mazda (20,221), Hyundai (14,703) and traditional rival Holden (14,164), narrowly ahead of Mitsubishi (11,688) and Nissan (11,552).

Naturally, two months do not maketh a trend, but for Ford fans who have been watching the company’s sales fall for years on end, it may come as welcome news. Not to mention its dealers.

Ford Australia’s sales have been in steady decline since 2004. That year, Ford Australia hit 135,172 sales, yielding 14.2 per cent market share and finishing third overall.


t’s been down each and every year since, largely on the back of the decline in Falcon sales and, in fairness, a more recent decision to greatly limit fleet sales in favour of higher-margin opportunities. Brand deliveries totalled 70,454 units in 2015, equalling market share of just 6.1 per cent. Ford’s share in 2016 so far is 6.7 per cent.

As mentioned atop the story, core models such as the Ford Kuga (788 units, up 51 per cent), Mondeo (586, up 427.9 per cent thanks to greater supply), Ranger 4×2 (920, up up 33.9 per cent) and Ranger 4×4 (4153, up 36.2 per cent) are dong well in 2016, though Ford Australia might well remain concerned at becoming the ‘Ranger Motor Company’.

Additionally, the maligned EcoSport urban crossover (455, up 68.5 per cent) and excellent Transit Custom van (193, up 85.6 per cent) are also up.

Dragging the chain is the recently updated Ford Focus, on 964 units (down 47.3 per cent) and behind the Audi A3 — a telling stat. Much of this is surely down to the removal of the Ambiente base variant leading the price structure, though Ford might counter that its profits are trending up.

The Fiesta is also way down (545 units, down 44.8 per cent), as are the Australian-made models, the Falcon (656, down 25.6 per cent), Falcon Ute (288, down 26.2 per cent) and Territory (1080, down 24.1 per cent).

Production of all three ends when Ford Australia closes its Victorian manufacturing division in October this year.

Ford Australia will aim to keep the buzz going in 2016 via the launch of key new models, or at least ones that nod to its history, such as the final edition Falcon Sprint (next week), Focus RS (mid-2016) and upgraded Kuga (end of 2016). More on all that here.

MORE: Ford Australia scores big wins over nemesis Toyota in January
MORE: Ford Everest Titanium pricing defended, flagship making up 25 per cent of sales
MORE: Ford Mustang Australia: Extra cars sought, sustained success expected



Read more at http://www.caradvice.com.au/423095/f...DppFAmUDurV.99

[Wretched]

[rjk74]

Every time l see a Mondeo l think yep not a bad looking car, then annoyed because l've never seen an add for one.

[Brazen]

Focus is the real disappointment. They need to start to add options to the range, so you can lure and upsell to buyers. Ford sells cars to private buyers like they are selling to fleets.

Make a leather and sunroof option for Focus Sport. Give Titanium LED lights, sunroof.

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by rjk74

Every time l see a Mondeo l think yep not a bad looking car, then annoyed because l've never seen an add for one.

They are not bad to drive either, we have them as fleet vehicles at my work, the steering is a little vague compared to my FG but in normal driving there's not much discernible difference. They pull up better and the diesels have plenty of torque to get off from a set of lights ok. Interiors are much higher quality than my FG and ride quality is comparable. I'd still choose the Falcon as it feels more substantial on the road but the Mondeo is nothing to sneeze at.

[csv8]

Brazen..the Tech Pack should be standard on Titanium. Bring back Ambiente.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by tempted

So we're barely over 2 months into the year and they kick up a song and dance about a small increase in sales? Talk about counting your chickens before they hatch.

Thank you Mr Happy.

A lot of us are barely over your constant whinging about Ford Aus and wonder why you even bother being a member here....again.

[Windsor220]

Ford have hardly hit rock bottom anyway they are 5th/6th. Its not like they are 20th.

To me it looks like they want to move away from being a big numbers seller chasing bulk fleets and want to move slightly more upmarket like a VW or Subaru with less volume/higher profit. They know their cars are decent and aren't charging basement level pricing. They will profit without the local operations sucking them dry.

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by tempted

So we're barely over 2 months into the year and they kick up a song and dance about a small increase in sales? Talk about counting your chickens before they hatch.
When you're rock bottom the only way is up, hardly anything to write home about. [...]

I wouldn't call a statistically correct assertion about a 10% increase in Ford sales "kicking up a song and dance". It's just a statement of fact—which you've attempted to misrepresent.

And Ford "rock bottom"? Uh... nope. Ford sales are ahead of some of the other major players; Mitsubishi, Subaru, Honda, Volkswagen etc.

Also in January, the Ford Ranger again toppled the Toyota HiLux off it's long-held perch as the highest selling Aussie workhorse ute. In fact, the Ranger was the third best-selling vehicle in Australia—behind the Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla.

Or would you like to dispute those statistics as well?

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by tempted

So we're barely over 2 months into the year and they kick up a song and dance about a small increase in sales? Talk about counting your chickens before they hatch.
When you're rock bottom the only way is up, hardly anything to write home about.
A more important question is what are the sales going to look like after October 2016 when there is nothing that will effectively replace the large chunk of local sales they will be losing.
I had an interesting chat with a fleet manager the other day who seems to think the Ranger has hit its peak and will begin to decline. Apparently there are plenty of Ranger owners that can't wait for their leases to end so they can ditch them due to quality and reliability issues and poor aftersales service. Sounds like an all too familiar story to me.

I thought you were banned? Too bad it was temporary.

Anyway, welcome back Holden CEO. Oh, and we're coming for fourth position. Watch out.

[russellw]

Originally Posted by tempted

So we're barely over 2 months into the year and they kick up a song and dance about a small increase in sales? Talk about counting your chickens before they hatch.
When you're rock bottom the only way is up, hardly anything to write home about.

We had this discussion in the February Sales Stats thread and I provided you with a very similar breakdown to the one in the OP's post but that clearly wasn't enough to deter your persistent pessimism and misanthropy.

I suspect some time for contemplation and reflection is not going to improve your overall comportment but it will at least provide the rest of us some relief from your wretched melancholia.

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

I thought you were banned? Too bad it was temporary.

Fixed that one too.

Russ

[Boosted8]

The Mustang will do well. I spotted one on the way to TAFE a few days ago - couldn't keep my eyes off of it.

[superyob]

Originally Posted by russellw

I suspect some time for contemplation and reflection is not going to improve your overall comportment but it will at least provide the rest of us some relief from your wretched melancholia.



Fixed that one too.

Russ

After nearly 6 years on this forum, I learnt a new word!!!

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by tempted

A more important question is what are the sales going to look like after October 2016 when there is nothing that will effectively replace the large chunk of local sales they will be losing.

oh come on already ffs. So far this year they've sold a grand total of 2024 falcons, utes and territorys. 16% of all Ford sales. Even if all of those sales are taken by VW (the next highest seller) then Ford would only drop from 5th to 7th. Hardly a disaster.

[FPV-F6-310FPV]

Great news, its good to see Ford regain ground, hopefully it continues in that direction from here on in.

[poppa smurf]

Damn shame, I see brilliant cars coming out of both Ford and Holden and yet we are losing them.......

seen a little red mustang sitting in a showroom here the other day.......Mr's Smurf said we should get one of those........I simply said well get used to it, that is the future.......our much loved Falcon and commodore out and imports in....

I'm very glad that ANY sales are up for Ford OR Holden but the future is set in concrete.......we are still losing them......NOT HAPPY JAN!!!!!

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by rjk74

Every time l see a Mondeo l think yep not a bad looking car, then annoyed because l've never seen an add for one.

Do you see Camry or Corolla ads?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Do you see Camry or Corolla ads?

agreed.

its always the same arguments in these threads.

no ads apparently = no marketing

and

not featuring prominently in the sales charts = not profitable.


just glad some of the people on here aren't running the show.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Do you see Camry or Corolla ads?

Yes, at least 4-6 a night!!!! and where are they on the sales chart!!!!!!

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by csv8

Yes, at least 4-6 a night!!!! and where are they on the sales chart!!!!!!

Come on captain negative... Camry sales are predominately fleets and rental car companies.

Most of my friends now have Camrys as company cars... The only reason why Toyota has such high Camry sales is because of fleet and govco purchases (some of which are purchasing them for under 20k new) at fleet pricing.

Ford needs more stock, simply!

Ranger Wildtraks, XLT's, Mustangs and Mondeos.. If they had more stock, they would sell 15% - 20% more a month easily!

[Sioso]

When the FGX was released it took about a month before I spotted one on the road, as for the Everest I'm seeing 2 or 3 everyday.

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Give Titanium LED lights, sunroof.

And a six speed manual gearbox.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by csv8

Yes, at least 4-6 a night!!!! and where are they on the sales chart!!!!!!

Yep, because the number of ads you have on tv is directly proportional to sales.

Seriously....

I wonder why it takes 3 years for someone to get a marketing degree when they could have just covered this off in a 30 minute lecture in Marketing 101 by Professor csv8 ..... I always thought those business students had a lot of free time...now I know why

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by tempted

So we're barely over 2 months into the year and they kick up a song and dance about a small increase in sales? Talk about counting your chickens before they hatch.
When you're rock bottom the only way is up, hardly anything to write home about.
Sounds like an all too familiar story to me.

So why the hell are you here ?? (c)

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

Yep, because the number of ads you have on tv is directly proportional to sales.

Seriously....

I wonder why it takes 3 years for someone to get a marketing degree when they could have just covered this off in a 30 minute lecture in Marketing 101 by Professor csv8 ..... I always thought those business students had a lot of free time...now I know why

Captain negative is still pushing his anti Ford agenda...

Since when do people buy cars based on TV advertisements? If we all did that we would all be buying Hyundai I20's... Sigh...

[Brian_H]

Originally Posted by DAZZLR

So why the hell are you here ?? (c)

Hahahaha!!! - for once 'ol Daz you're on the money. Fancy that, I find myself agreeing with your comment!

[TUF_302]

Rangers on the decline?? I'm currently doing a bit of travel each day for work and the amount of Rangers i see each day is huge!, cant be that many issues with them

[Dr Smith]

In the last 30 days I've watched free-to-air TV maybe 5 hours in total, Foxtel/Netflix maybe 30 hours, I listen to radio all the time while on the road and its mostly am for sport and talk-back as they also have the best traffic reports/listener warnings and I'm on the internet/pc by far the most time, upto 4 hours a day.

My point is I'm in the market to replace a van and I mean a top end Vito or VW. No amount of advertising is going to sway my decision however I've spent hours and hours on the net researching, watching and reading reviews. The internet is my first point of call and by the time I hit the dealerships all I really want is a very good roadtest, the price and availability and competitive financing but I'll go there already quoted by my regular providers.

PS. Saw my first Mustang, black, coupe..fantastic in the flesh and no photo does it justice.
Starting to see more Mondeos and they look good but the rear needs an Australian designer to take over as the upmarket front isn't matched at the rear and never has, an FGX rear looks far better.

[DFB FGXR6]

From todays Herald Sun -

"TABLETS TAKE OVER
Australians are watching less broadcast television as many young viewers choose to watch video on phones and tablets.
The number of hours in front of the box has dropped in all age groups, with the exception of over-65's, the latest Australian Multi-Screen Report said.
Hours of TV watched in the December quarter fell about 6 percent on 2014.
Under 25's are watching the least amount of TV, but online viewing has nearly doubled in just 12 months on smartphones and tablets"




So if people are these days watching less broadcast TV, why would Ford spend millions and millions of producing and airing TV ads for vehicles that are not likely to sell in large numbers?
Ford are currently spending plenty on TV ads for Ranger, Focus and Everest but these are popular and important market segments.
Mondeo (and Falcon) are in declining or stagnant market segments that don't warrant mass TV advertising expenditure.

[janddbone]

Territory is still the second best selling Ford!