Ford Aus v Ford UK - Page 2

**Polyal** · 10-02-2015, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

In UK 75% of new car sales (1.8mil /year) were manual - in Australia 85% of new car sales are automatic . Small difference , I know...
Small engined manual cars don't sell in Australia , maybe because many people only have automatic license ?
If Ford decides to go with 1 L 3 cyl Focus manual and Mazda is fighting it with2.0l 3 auto - who do you think will sell more ? So our market does dictate engine/tranny combos to manufacturers .

Im sorry but if you think Australia has any pull in what gets developed globally then your mad.

Australia also generally gets dumped with whatever combo's are left over after other countries get what they want. Hence long lead times on particular models.

Sales also depends on alot of other factors too, there are plenty examples of Ford over the years having superior product yet not selling anything like its competitors so the actually displacement means nothing.

It could be a 0.5cc engine, but as long as it produces the numbers (fuel economy and driveability) then thats all that matters. The general car buyer knows nothing other than those key indicators....oh and price and reputation which is why Hyundai, Mazda, Toyota are killing it at the moment. Nothing to do with how many cylinder it has.

Ask MB or BMW how "Australian" their range is.....or look at the cars that win the awards (Car of the year etc)...how many or localised? Next to none unless a Falcon or Commy win.

Your Mum isnt always right, we are not that special.

new2ford · 10-02-2015, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Distances in Australia are massive compared to anything in Europe .

As you know, that doesn't stand up to scrutiny unless you're driving deep into outback Australia, which very few do. Road distances between Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne/Adelaide for example are in the same order of those such as e.g. Paris-Prague, Berlin-Munich, Cologne-Nice, Munich-Rome.

But distances between major centres seem longer in Australia because of the lower allowed speeds on motorways and thus the extra time it takes to cover the distance.

simon varley · 10-02-2015, 09:08 PM

and how many people actually do those interstate drives regularly now with cheap airfares?

new2ford · 10-02-2015, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon varley

and how many people actually do those interstate drives regularly now with cheap airfares?

I suspect the typical long-distance driving distance in Australia nowadays is probably up to 300-500 km only. Beyond that, you take a plane and hire a car at destination. Quite likely the same in Europe, except that high speed train is also an option.

I used to do Sydney-Melbourne in 9-10 hours in the old days before the current speed regime (pre motorway too). Now that cars and roads are designed to drive at higher speeds more safely they've forced everybody to go slower

Back on-topic, I presume the Focus and Mondeo (even Fiesta) are designed for cruising at 160+ like their many other European counterparts. So they are therefore amply suited to long-distance Australian driving as well.

1TUFFUTE · 11-02-2015, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new2ford

I suspect the typical long-distance driving distance in Australia nowadays is probably up to 300-500 km only. Beyond that, you take a plane and hire a car at destination. Quite likely the same in Europe, except that high speed train is also an option.

I used to do Sydney-Melbourne in 9-10 hours in the old days before the current speed regime (pre motorway too). Now that cars and roads are designed to drive at higher speeds more safely they've forced everybody to go slower

Back on-topic, I presume the Focus and Mondeo (even Fiesta) are designed for cruising at 160+ like their many other European counterparts. So they are therefore amply suited to long-distance Australian driving as well.

Yes but these are now global cars. The range of city, compact,small, medium and large cars would be far more leaning to the smaller cars in the UK then in aus.
THAT says it all.

1TUFFUTE · 11-02-2015, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

...oh and price and reputation which is why Hyundai, Mazda, Toyota are killing it at the moment. Nothing to do with how many cylinder it has.

I'm always confused when people put sooo much attention on reputation. Less then ten years ago Hyundai was a bottom feeder. Look at them now. They didn't come good from good reputation

**Polyal** · 11-02-2015, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

I'm always confused when people put sooo much attention on reputation. Less then ten years ago Hyundai was a bottom feeder. Look at them now. They didn't come good from good reputation

Your right...Ford reputation was better too. I do believe the Falcon had a rough start with the XK having pretty major suspension issues and they made an MASSIVE effort with the XP to prove to the public it was a good thing.

Your success and reputation snowballs from product is atleast seen to be popular or successful through sales. Could be on styling, price or many other factors.

Yellow_Festiva · 11-02-2015, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Cars tailored to particular countries is BS..we all have the same basic wants and needs for transport.

Not entirely.

Kia got in trouble when they were importing cars with a suspension tune that was suited to the US (??) market.

They modified their cars to our tastes by firming up the suspension.

Then there is the taxi I caught in Bangkok:

Notice something missing?

danzvtil · 11-02-2015, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Your right...Ford reputation was better too. I do believe the Falcon had a rough start with the XK having pretty major suspension issues and they made an MASSIVE effort with the XP to prove to the public it was a good thing.

Your success and reputation snowballs from product is atleast seen to be popular or successful through sales. Could be on styling, price or many other factors.

Hyundai grew from basic, humble beginnings with product that improved with each generation, Australians will reward that. Ford rested on their laurels and are now paying the price.

1TUFFUTE · 11-02-2015, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Hyundai grew from basic, humble beginnings with product that improved with each generation, Australians will reward that. Ford rested on their laurels and are now paying the price.

Not sure about that. Fords line up has been worldclass for along time and now boasts some of the worlds best engines, small cars, utes and trucks. Hyundai made a very steep climb and has only recently added large cars and even vans too their lineup. That aside Hyundai as a brand has done barely anything of worldclass leading notoriety. And honestly, saying ford rested on their laurels is just plain not correct! (All I'd give you in that department is the advertisement of the Australian local large car that was allready a niche car and made redundant by the import laws). Unless I forgot something which I'm happy to be reminded off.

Deo · 12-02-2015, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Notice something missing?

Steering wheel?

Sent from my GTi-9305 using bloody Tapatalk

malazn mafia · 12-02-2015, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Notice something missing?

Radio?

1TUFFUTE · 12-02-2015, 04:21 AM

The rest of the picture?

JG66ME · 12-02-2015, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Not entirely.

Kia got in trouble when they were importing cars with a suspension tune that was suited to the US (??) market.

They modified their cars to our tastes by firming up the suspension.

Then there is the taxi I caught in Bangkok:

image

Notice something missing?

No heater, just air con. This was common in locally assembled cars in Thailand. My dad lived there and his Nissan did not have a heater.

danzvtil · 12-02-2015, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG66ME

No heater, just air con. This was common in locally assembled cars in Thailand. My dad lived there and his Nissan did not have a heater.

The car in that pic doesn't have AC either, im sure a heater would be of zero use in Thailand.

danzvtil · 12-02-2015, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

Not sure about that. Fords line up has been worldclass for along time and now boasts some of the worlds best engines, small cars, utes and trucks. Hyundai made a very steep climb and has only recently added large cars and even vans too their lineup. That aside Hyundai as a brand has done barely anything of worldclass leading notoriety. And honestly, saying ford rested on their laurels is just plain not correct! (All I'd give you in that department is the advertisement of the Australian local large car that was allready a niche car and made redundant by the import laws). Unless I forgot something which I'm happy to be reminded off.

Hyundais success in Australia will not hinge on whether or not their large car sells (it wont, niche only).

And with ford resting on its laurels, ultimately doesn't matter, they could be building the number 1 selling car here, but it wont be enough volume to justify building them here.

Yellow_Festiva · 17-02-2015, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

The car in that pic doesn't have AC either, im sure a heater would be of zero use in Thailand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG66ME

No heater, just air con. This was common in locally assembled cars in Thailand. My dad lived there and his Nissan did not have a heater.

Bingo - no heater. I can't recall if the car had air-con or not to be honest (I'm almost certain it did) but yes, the temp control has no heat function at all, just degrees of coolness.

XR Martin · 17-02-2015, 03:59 PM

On that Hiace, the switching of the A/C is controlled by the dial - notice the 'off' position.
In ones sold here its a button in the middle of the left hand dial.

GTP534 · 17-02-2015, 05:32 PM

I worked in Brunei for many years.

Climate similar to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, etc. Hot, humid, tropical, all year round.

I thought the climate there was far more harsh than what we see here in Australia.

Japanese cars generally were more reliable and gave less trouble than Korean, Chinese and even the European cars.

I did see a handful of Australian built Fords there (BA XR6 and XR6 Turbo, and Territories) and saw a heap of Mitsubishi 380's, all black colour, bound for Brunei Government duty.

SumoDog68 · 19-02-2015, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Im sorry but if you think Australia has any pull in what gets developed globally then your mad.

Australia also generally gets dumped with whatever combo's are left over after other countries get what they want. Hence long lead times on particular models.

Sales also depends on alot of other factors too, there are plenty examples of Ford over the years having superior product yet not selling anything like its competitors so the actually displacement means nothing.

It could be a 0.5cc engine, but as long as it produces the numbers (fuel economy and driveability) then thats all that matters. The general car buyer knows nothing other than those key indicators....oh and price and reputation which is why Hyundai, Mazda, Toyota are killing it at the moment. Nothing to do with how many cylinder it has.

Ask MB or BMW how "Australian" their range is.....or look at the cars that win the awards (Car of the year etc)...how many or localised? Next to none unless a Falcon or Commy win.

Your Mum isnt always right, we are not that special.

There are some minor modifications for Australian delivered cars , for example new Alfa 4C weighs roughly 150kg than its Euro version.
"
. For the Australian market, the 4C boasts a reinforced rear subframe, some reinforcement of the front subframe, new cross members for side impact protection, reinforced windscreen structure and minor modification to the carbon-fibre tub. All up, according to FCA, these changes add 55kg to the dry weight of the car, taking it up to 950kg in Australian specification." then there is another 75kg or so that they don't explain.