THE tide could be turning for Ford as Australians nominate it as one of their next ca

[csv8]

THE tide could be turning for Ford as Australians nominate it as one of their next car choices.
A Roy Morgan Research survey says Ford joins Volkswagen and Toyota as having products that private motorists prefer and intend to buy over the next year.

The comprehensive survey also reveals that car sales will accelerate this year and create another bonanza for manufacturers and dealers.
The researcher's "Car Buying Intention" survey, released this week, says an estimated 648,000 Australians intend to buy a new car in the next 12 months - a 5.9 per cent increase on its short-term average of 612,000 - and that vehicle sales will exceed 2011's 1.008 million.
Roy Morgan communications director Norman Morris says Ford's inclusion was probably attributed to its new model range.
"Ford's Fiesta and Focus, for example, are seen as fresh products that people want to own," he says. "There's also more product coming from Ford. In general, I'd say there's more happening at Ford and that's attracting buyer interest."
Roy Morgan surveys 55,000 Australians and 15,000 New Zealanders during the year.
Mr Morris says 2012 looks likely to be a potential record year for the industry.
"For the fourth consecutive month, long-term new car buying intentions have improved, finishing the year on an all-time record high," he says. "More than 2.26 million private-buyer Australians are in the market for a new car in the next four years. These are private buyers - not fleet or government buyers."
The good news comes hard on the heels of a difficult year in 2011 when natural disasters in Japan and Thailand resulted in supply problems.
"But despite this, the Australian automotive industry still managed to exceed one-million new vehicle sales for only the fourth time in history," Mr Morris says. "This year looks likely to be a potential record year for the industry with both long and short term intentions finishing the year on a positive note."
In addition to the refreshed product hitting the showrooms, buyers are being lured to owning a new car because of cuts in the interest rates.
Mr Morris says "the automotive industry appears to be one industry benefiting from these decisions."
Mr Morris says of the mainstream brands, Volkswagen and Ford have shown the greatest improvement over the past 12 months.
"Both manufacturers posted improvements of at least 20 per cent year on year," he says. "BMW and Mercedes-Benz look likely to continue their struggle in 2012 to be the top luxury passenger vehicle seller, with both brands posting strong improvements."

[Wretched]

Fiesta and Focus are brilliant new products and deserve the praise.
Mondeo is another that needs to be mentioned.
All three are good value for $$ and have brilliant dynamics.

[andrich]

good news!!!!! They talk the talk so now hopefully they walk the walk...

[Gobes32]

It's no surprise, Ford have a really good range of cars for sale atm, even the Falcon is a good car, it's just a simple matter of the public realising this..........

[Professor Farnsworth]

yes but intending to buy does not put figures on paper

i've been intending to buy a new one for a few years now.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Fiesta and Focus are brilliant new products and deserve the praise.
Mondeo is another that needs to be mentioned.
All three are good value for $$ and have brilliant dynamics.

i would have thought the falcon would have got an include in that list Wretched, Eco Lpi is pretty hard to beat in value for money i reckon.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by mik

i would have thought the falcon would have got an include in that list Wretched, Eco Lpi is pretty hard to beat in value for money i reckon.

not in my list.

[mik]

fair enough.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by mik

i would have thought the falcon would have got an include in that list Wretched, Eco Lpi is pretty hard to beat in value for money i reckon.

Focus sourced from difficult Ford Europe, + 1500/mth is excellent news
Fiesta from disaster prone Thailand, 880/mth is welcome
Mondeo is hard to get at the best of times, should be built at Broady.

Ford needs to keep playing to its strengths and build the numbers...
Falcon and Territory will come back to life with discount prices...

[Luke Plaizier]

The Dealer network often surfaces up in conversation on this site. I wonder if the Dealer Network are up to converting these opportunities?


Lukeyson

[jpd80]

$19,990 drive away Focus is the reason for increased sales ...a and advertising Titanium too.

Oh and $25,990 drive away Escape would make business, hope they do it...

[blueoval]

I am seriously considering the Focus Titanium TDi powershift hatch at the end of this year. The mrs loves the thought of frugal fuel economy and Active Park Assist. But the hatch looks amazing and big enough to throw my bike in the back (with the front wheel off). Hopefully I can get a 2nd hand one for under 30k with sunroof.

[HULK EF]

looks forward to the current escape retiring with replacement of a new model. -extra sale's.

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Focus sourced from difficult Ford Europe, + 1500/mth is excellent news
Fiesta from disaster prone Thailand, 880/mth is welcome
Mondeo is hard to get at the best of times, should be built at Broady.

Ford needs to keep playing to its strengths and build the numbers...
Falcon and Territory will come back to life with discount prices...

I thought the base Focus was sourced from South Africa and the XR5 from Cologne?

The tide has been turning for a while with the Falcon (and large car segment), i'm sure it isn't seen as "fresh' and a product people want to own nowadays unfortunately. It needs a radical makeover to freshen up and it's just not worth doing anymore.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Kieron

I thought the base Focus was sourced from South Africa and the XR5 from Cologne?

All new Focus now come form Germany until Thailand comes on line.
That was previous Focus, the South African Plant is being configured for Ranger

The tide has been turning for a while with the Falcon (and large car segment), i'm sure it isn't seen as "fresh' and a product people want to own nowadays unfortunately. It needs a radical makeover to freshen up and it's just not worth doing anymore.

EcoLPI is important to fleet sales, that's why Holden is doing dedicated LPG as well..

Ecoboost Falcon will test the waters with Mid Sized buyers, similar economy, more room and more power.

[Luke Plaizier]

I wonder why Australia couldn't get ranger? Size and profit margin seem ideally suited to our factory.


Lukeyson