VFacts Feb 2024

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Am i being sack-religious saying Ford Australia would almost be better off to go grovelling to Mazda to relive the past in bringing back the Laser off the 3 and make the Escape off the CX5 ect.

Ford sold their % in their Mazda ownership many years ago.

This won’t happen ever

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Australia is the highest selling export market globally for Mustang, and yet we will get S650 last. Makes no sense to me.



Don't get me started, a bunch of 13-year-olds could do a better than the highly educated university graduates making the key decisions within Ford.

You just know the bunch of 13 year olds would import the coolest and most powerful cars without hesitation.

"See the world as if for the first time; see it through the eyes of a child, and you will suddenly find that you are free." - Deepak Chopra

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by jpd80

It’s like they want sales to wither and die so the RHD car option ends,
either that or reduce to select runs with set numbers and colours available
“We will sell you what we decide to build” is that the way things are going?

Sort of related question: how does the Ranger fare if the new Govco fuel efficiency standards bill passes? Does Ford cop a fine for every one sold? Do they pack up shop being so reliant on one model? Or have Ford got a really good PHEV version on the way that will keep them on top past 2029?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Sort of related question: how does the Ranger fare if the new Govco fuel efficiency standards bill passes? Does Ford cop a fine for every one sold? Do they pack up shop being so reliant on one model? Or have Ford got a really good PHEV version on the way that will keep them on top past 2029?

They've got a hybrid version and they've had the 2.3L Ecoboost version since the last model that they used for the USDM Ranger. They've already done the background work it's just not offered to us to buy.

They'd just need to change up the offering for the Australian market, no more slapping a tiny diesel engine in it and calling it a day, they need to put a bit of effort in if those laws make it through parliament.

Because they've already done the background work it's not a threat to Ford, it's just a kick in the *** that they need to do better than put all their eggs in the Ranger's tub.

[Sprintey]

Thanks Franco it looks like they will be OK. If Bronco is on same platform (or Bronco Sport?) just bring that here and go square and American (build it in Thailand if you want) and bring the hybrid, Ford will have sales across the range a bit more.

I do wonder if hybrid will even be enough though, as I checked current RAV4 hybrid with its sub 5L/100km and it will not pass the CO2 level requirements by 2029.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Thanks Franco it looks like they will be OK. If Bronco is on same platform (or Bronco Sport?) just bring that here and go square and American (build it in Thailand if you want) and bring the hybrid, Ford will have sales across the range a bit more.

I do wonder if hybrid will even be enough though, as I checked current RAV4 hybrid with its sub 5L/100km and it will not pass the CO2 level requirements by 2029.

LPG hybrid, or E85 hybrid

Opinion: I drive arguably the greenest car in the country – but it’s not what you think

And though I'm lucky enough to own a variety of different cars, I tell people my daily driver is the greenest car in Australia – a Ford Territory Turbo Ghia on gas.

While it is said with my tongue firmly in my cheek, I chose this car for a number of reasons – one of which is that it has a relatively small carbon footprint out of the box when compared to most brand-new cars, including the electric variety.

The Territory and its iconic turbo Barra engine were manufactured within a couple of hours of where I am now, and my hope is that my response sparks a conversation about a car's impact on the planet – beyond the single metric of tailpipe emissions.

One of the reasons I also chose this particular Territory was because it's dual-fuel – fitted with an injected liquified petroleum gas (LPG) system, significantly reducing running costs, as well as having the benefit of delivering higher-octane fuel while also lowering tailpipe emissions.

And before the comments section kicks off about how LPG is less efficient than petrol – yes, it's true – but conservative calculations show mine uses 20 per cent more gas than unleaded. Purely from a cost-saving basis, I can live with that, given the price of LPG is typically $1 per litre less than petrol.

Then there's the fact that the majority of LPG is sourced from Australia. Not shipped from the Middle East and refined in Singapore on ships running on 'heavy fuel oil' – a horrendously bad product for the environment, chosen for its cheapness – as is the case with petrol and diesel.

My car may be an SUV with a turbocharged 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine, but it was made in Victoria and runs on a byproduct of natural gas, sourced from New South Wales, which burns more cleanly than petrol, and releases fewer particulates into the atmosphere.

For every litre of petrol burned, it puts out 2.3kg of CO2, while LPG produces only 1.5kg for the same amount, and emits up to 63 per cent less nitrogen oxide (NOx) – and even less compared to diesel.

https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/l...e-environment/

What Is the Carbon Footprint of E85?

The carbon footprint E85 is 53.3 grams (g) of carbon dioxide-equivilant greenhouse gases per megajoules (MJ) per energy, according to an analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association. That’s 46% lower than the 98.5 g/mj produced by regular gasoline, the analysis found.

E85 has a smaller carbon footprint than regular gasoline when its entire life cycle, including how and where it is produced, is factored into the equation.

Unlike gasoline, which often comes from foreign oil that must be shipped to the United States, ethanol is a domestic product made from corn or other biological material grown here in the United States.

Additionally, ethanol is a renewable resource – unlike oil, which is a finite resource, the corn used to make ethanol is grown year after year.
Is E85 Dirtier Than Regular Gas?

E85 burns cleaner than regular gasoline and has a smaller overall carbon footprint than non-ethanol fuel blends. It produces fewer emissions, which results in cleaner air. At the same time, it has the added benefit of providing more torque and horsepower than regular gasoline.
Is E85 Better for the Environment?

E85 is better for the environment than non-ethanol fuel blends. That’s because it has a smaller overall carbon footprint and burns cleaner than traditional gasoline, and the ethanol it contains is a domestically produced renewable resource made from corn or other biological materials.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol results in reduced tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, the carcinogen benzene and fine particulates that irritate the lungs.

In addition, ethanol has the side benefit of producing useful byproducts like distillers’ grains that can be used as a high-protein feed for cattle.

https://nebraskacorn.gov/cornstalk/f...e-environment/

Who here remembers in 1985 when suddenly legislation was introduced that we couldn't make cars run on leaded fuel anymore and they all had to be unleaded from that date forward? I don't because I wasn't born yet you old bastards

Maybe from 2029 onwards, no more unleaded, everything becomes E85 and then existing fleet is retrofitted like they did with leaded fuel cars.

[Trendseeker]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Thanks Franco it looks like they will be OK. If Bronco is on same platform (or Bronco Sport?) just bring that here and go square and American (build it in Thailand if you want) and bring the hybrid, Ford will have sales across the range a bit more.

Ford Australia says “no” to Bronco.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/whats-...medium=partner

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Trendseeker

Ford Australia says “no” to Bronco.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/whats-...medium=partner

But then again when has Ford Australia ever said yes when asked previously in such circumstances. Unlike Holden which used to drop "hints" all the time whether they eventuated or not it understood media stories kept your name in the public's mind. Some still don't know Ford employs more than any other importer in Australia by a long margin.

I just had a thought, what if for a month the engineers at Ford Aust took over sales and marketing and product planning and the sales team were given a month off...what would we get....

[Franco Cozzo]

Curious to how the Vfacts figures from 2023/2024 compare with 2013/2014 with the model breakdowns

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Curious to how the Vfacts figures from 2023/2024 compare with 2013/2014 with the model breakdowns

https://www.goauto.com.au/research-c...ales-2013.html

If you click on the different years under "All VFACTS articles" it will list the articles within each year, although you don't always get full brand, top 10 numbers.

EG. March 2013:
Top 10 Sellers for March:
Mazda3 3786
Toyota Corolla 3512
Toyota HiLux 3127
Hyundai i30 2595
Nissan Navara 2499
Holdan Cruze 2335
Toyota Camry 1916
Mazda CX-5 1830
Ford Ranger 1685
Nissan Pulsar 1644

VFACTS sales March 2013:
Brand Sales Movement %
Toyota 18,653 1.0
Mazda 9,112 -2.5
Nissan 8,408 1.2
Hyundai 8,402 7.6
Holden 8,283 -18.8
Ford 6,434 -13.7
Mitsubishi 5,147 -14.3
Volkswagen4,299 -4.1
Subaru 4,219 5.4
Honda 3,897

Top 10 selling brands for 2013
Brand Sales Variance %
Toyota 214,630 -1.6
Holden 112,059 -2.3
Mazda 103,144 -0.7
Hyundai 97,006 6.0
Ford 87,236 -3.5
Nissan 76,733 -3.8
Mitsubishi 71,528 21.5
Volkswagen 54,829 0.1
Subaru 40,200 0.0
Honda 39,258 9.6

Top 10 selling models for 2013
Model Sales
Toyota Corolla 43,498
Mazda3 42,082
Toyota HiLux 39,931
Hyundai i30 30,582
Holden Commodore 27,766
Toyota Camry 24,860
Mitsubishi Triton 24,512
Holden Cruze 24,421
Nissan Navara 24,108
Ford Ranger 21,752

Top 10 selling brands March 2014
Rank Brand Sales % Variation
1 Toyota 18,275 -2.0
2 Holden 9851 18.9
3 Mazda 9203 1.0
5 Hyundai 8606 2.4
4 Ford 7037 9.4
6 Nissan 6014 -28.5
7 Mitsubishi 5435 5.5
8 Volkswagen 4613 7.3
9 Subaru 3812 -9.6
10 Kia 2762 4.5

Top 10 selling models March 2014
Rank Model Sales
1 Toyota Corolla 4086
2 Mazda3 3587
3 Toyota HiLux 3105
4 Holden Commodore 2967
5 Hyundai i30 2767
6 Ford Ranger 2300
7 Toyota Camry 2085
8 Mazda CX-5 1932
9 Toyota RAV4 1888
10 Toyota Prado 1719

Top 10 selling brands for 2014
Brand Sales Variation %
Toyota 203,501 -5.2
Holden 106,092 -5.3
Mazda 100,704 -2.4
Hyundai 100,011 3.1
Ford 79,703 -8.6
Mitsubishi 68,637 -4.0
Nissan 66,025 -14.0
Volkswagen 54,801 -0.2
Subaru 40,502 0.8
Honda 32,998 -15.9

Top 10 selling models for 2014
Model Sales
Toyota Corolla 43,735
Mazda3 43,313
Toyota HiLux 38,126
Hyundai i30 31,505
Holden Commodore 30,203
Ford Ranger 26,619
Mitsubishi Triton 24,256
Toyota Camry 22,044
Mazda CX-5 21,571
Volkswagen Golf 19,178

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Sort of related question: how does the Ranger fare if the new Govco fuel efficiency standards bill passes? Does Ford cop a fine for every one sold? Do they pack up shop being so reliant on one model? Or have Ford got a really good PHEV version on the way that will keep them on top past 2029?

The PHEV version was through developed with all the other variants,
it’s just sitting there waiting to be activated.


It’s much easier to develop a hybrid from a PHEV than go the other way but I suspect that
Europe/ Euro 6 stage whatever and tightening emissions will bring it to the table long before 2028.

Watch for Eco protesters to start directly targeting diesel Utes and SUVs as the enemy of the planet.
They don’t care as much about V8/Turbo Falcon & Commodore any more because they’re “gone”.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

But then again when has Ford Australia ever said yes when asked previously in such circumstances. Unlike Holden which used to drop "hints" all the time whether they eventuated or not it understood media stories kept your name in the public's mind. Some still don't know Ford employs more than any other importer in Australia by a long margin.

I just had a thought, what if for a month the engineers at Ford Aust took over sales and marketing and product planning and the sales team were given a month off...what would we get....

No RHD Bronco was ever developed, so that’s a hard no.

Actually, interest in Bronco is starting to fall away in the US, seems like everyone that
wanted a Bronco has one now and the remaining sales are regular buyers looking for
one at a good price or small cash incentive. Higher interest rates are slowing up the
desire to buy a premium lifestyle vehicles.

I don’t think Ford AUS will really consider Bronco for Australia, they see it as
simply trading a good easy Everest sale, something it doesn’t have to do without
asking those buyers to pay $30,000 more to get the RHD bit done, few will want it
over say, a big honkin F150….

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

https://www.goauto.com.au/research-c...ales-2013.html

If you click on the different years under "All VFACTS articles" it will list the articles within each year, although you don't always get full brand, top 10 numbers.

EG. March 2013:
Top 10 Sellers for March:
Mazda3 3786
Toyota Corolla 3512
Toyota HiLux 3127
Hyundai i30 2595
Nissan Navara 2499
Holdan Cruze 2335
Toyota Camry 1916
Mazda CX-5 1830
Ford Ranger 1685
Nissan Pulsar 1644

VFACTS sales March 2013:
Brand Sales Movement %
Toyota 18,653 1.0
Mazda 9,112 -2.5
Nissan 8,408 1.2
Hyundai 8,402 7.6
Holden 8,283 -18.8
Ford 6,434 -13.7
Mitsubishi 5,147 -14.3
Volkswagen4,299 -4.1
Subaru 4,219 5.4
Honda 3,897

Top 10 selling brands for 2013
Brand Sales Variance %
Toyota 214,630 -1.6
Holden 112,059 -2.3
Mazda 103,144 -0.7
Hyundai 97,006 6.0
Ford 87,236 -3.5
Nissan 76,733 -3.8
Mitsubishi 71,528 21.5
Volkswagen 54,829 0.1
Subaru 40,200 0.0
Honda 39,258 9.6

Top 10 selling models for 2013
Model Sales
Toyota Corolla 43,498
Mazda3 42,082
Toyota HiLux 39,931
Hyundai i30 30,582
Holden Commodore 27,766
Toyota Camry 24,860
Mitsubishi Triton 24,512
Holden Cruze 24,421
Nissan Navara 24,108
Ford Ranger 21,752

Top 10 selling brands March 2014
Rank Brand Sales % Variation
1 Toyota 18,275 -2.0
2 Holden 9851 18.9
3 Mazda 9203 1.0
5 Hyundai 8606 2.4
4 Ford 7037 9.4
6 Nissan 6014 -28.5
7 Mitsubishi 5435 5.5
8 Volkswagen 4613 7.3
9 Subaru 3812 -9.6
10 Kia 2762 4.5

Top 10 selling models March 2014
Rank Model Sales
1 Toyota Corolla 4086
2 Mazda3 3587
3 Toyota HiLux 3105
4 Holden Commodore 2967
5 Hyundai i30 2767
6 Ford Ranger 2300
7 Toyota Camry 2085
8 Mazda CX-5 1932
9 Toyota RAV4 1888
10 Toyota Prado 1719

Top 10 selling brands for 2014
Brand Sales Variation %
Toyota 203,501 -5.2
Holden 106,092 -5.3
Mazda 100,704 -2.4
Hyundai 100,011 3.1
Ford 79,703 -8.6
Mitsubishi 68,637 -4.0
Nissan 66,025 -14.0
Volkswagen 54,801 -0.2
Subaru 40,502 0.8
Honda 32,998 -15.9

Top 10 selling models for 2014
Model Sales
Toyota Corolla 43,735
Mazda3 43,313
Toyota HiLux 38,126
Hyundai i30 31,505
Holden Commodore 30,203
Ford Ranger 26,619
Mitsubishi Triton 24,256
Toyota Camry 22,044
Mazda CX-5 21,571
Volkswagen Golf 19,178

Thanks for that - would be good to just compare Ford's model breakdown compared to 2023/2024.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by jpd80

No RHD Bronco was ever developed, so that’s a hard no.

Actually, interest in Bronco is starting to fall away in the US, seems like everyone that
wanted a Bronco has one now and the remaining sales are regular buyers looking for
one at a good price or small cash incentive. Higher interest rates are slowing up the
desire to buy a premium lifestyle vehicles.

I don’t think Ford AUS will really consider Bronco for Australia, they see it as
simply trading a good easy Everest sale, something it doesn’t have to do without
asking those buyers to pay $30,000 more to get the RHD bit done, few will want it
over say, a big honkin F150….

They just need to put Bronco bits on/under an Everest.
Plenty of people spend big coin on 4wd wagons, no reason why they wouldn't on an offroad focused Everest.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I don’t think Ford AUS will really consider Bronco for Australia, they see it as simply trading a good easy Everest sale

Why Everest and not Wrangler?

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by b0son

Why Everest and not Wrangler?

You mean the rubbish brand that sell a handful of cars in Australia (Jeep) ?

[b0son]

The Wrangler, specifically the Rubicon, sets the benchmark for hardcore production offroaders.

Maybe not in reliability, but certainly ability.

[nearlythere]

Where is holden?

[Sprintey]

We brought up the CX60 in a previous Vfacts, here's a news update on it's suspension and transmission tune:

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-new...suspension-fix

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

We brought up the CX60 in a previous Vfacts, here's a news update on it's suspension and transmission tune:

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-new...suspension-fix

This is somewhat strange for Mazda, in the past chassis and powertrain calibration prowess was a given. I guess without the Ford partnership splitting development costs, the finer details are getting overlooked.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

This is somewhat strange for Mazda, in the past chassis and powertrain calibration prowess was a given. I guess without the Ford partnership splitting development costs, the finer details are getting overlooked.

I wonder what the cost differences are between say taking an off-the shelf and very highly regarded ZF 8 speed TC-auto vs the costs of developing this setup in house plus all the negative press.

I find it odd that Mazda thought it was OK to release these vehicles considering part of their aim with the new rwd-biased platform for it's CX-x0 models was to go upmarket in perception and obviously price. Ride quality and powertrain smoothness/quietness are just given requirements in this area.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

This is somewhat strange for Mazda, in the past chassis and powertrain calibration prowess was a given. I guess without the Ford partnership splitting development costs, the finer details are getting overlooked.

Post 'zoom-zoom' era Mazda are a joke, they're on the trajectory of Honda, which was another great auto manufacturer who drank the koolaid and tried to emulate white goods pioneer, Toyota but badly failed.

As far as their sketchy in house developed transmission is, typical engineers trying to reinvent the wheel and fix something there's no problems with, should have just used the 8sp ZF box and be done with it.

[XR Martin]

It's no different than Toyota with the current Corolla, they put a torque converter in a CVT gearbox to try to make it feel more like a normal gearbox. A whole bunch of early ones had to be recalled and the gearbox replaced.
They are still not great, and I reckon the previous one had a smoother box.

https://www.clintonstoyota.com.au/ne...-cvt-assembly/

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

This is somewhat strange for Mazda, in the past chassis and powertrain calibration prowess was a given. I guess without the Ford partnership splitting development costs, the finer details are getting overlooked.

I don't remember Ford offering fixes on the 10 speed auto changes on the previous ranger. I know that was constantly bagged by the reviewers.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

I wonder what the cost differences are between say taking an off-the shelf and very highly regarded ZF 8 speed TC-auto vs the costs of developing this setup in house plus all the negative press.

I find it odd that Mazda thought it was OK to release these vehicles considering part of their aim with the new rwd-biased platform for it's CX-x0 models was to go upmarket in perception and obviously price. Ride quality and powertrain smoothness/quietness are just given requirements in this area.

Shades of a an originally good idea about bringing back multiple I-6 RWD vehicles
that’s been progressively scaled back because Euro brands didn’t launch as expected.

We’re possibly looking at a replacement for the CX-7 later this year and the CX-60 caught my eye
but honestly, all we need is the CX-8 and the location of the Cx-60 timing belt worries me.
The CX-60 reminds me of a misbegotten BMW with equally costly post warranty issues.
I can’t take the chance, so that’s a no from me.

[kevino]

Geez JPD80 can’t you get a Ford SUV?
Oh that’s right Ford don’t sell any in Aus
What a screwed up coy. Don’t sell products that Ford enthusiasts would buy and introduce to ten other people
I saw a Europcar rental Everest yesterday mmmm FOA selling its premium model ( well 1 of 3) to rental coys now.

[Falcon SXR8]

Did these people not test drive the mazda before buying it? Seems odd to complain about the ride and shift quality,something that should have been picked up on a test drive of the vehicle.

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Post 'zoom-zoom' era Mazda are a joke, they're on the trajectory of Honda, which was another great auto manufacturer who drank the koolaid and tried to emulate white goods pioneer, Toyota but badly failed.

As far as their sketchy in house developed transmission is, typical engineers trying to reinvent the wheel and fix something there's no problems with, should have just used the 8sp ZF box and be done with it.

Mazda tried to have it both ways. Deliver less and charge more. It's like a shrinkflated supermarket product going up in price.

In retrospect the ND MX-5 was really the first symptom of this, no attention paid to steering calibration at all, in a car that is meant to be all about the handling. Really big backwards step over the NC in all areas except kerb weight.

For what Mazda are charging it's hard not to justify stretching to a BMW.

[kevino]

Give Skoda a tick
Skoda Kamiq run out $32990 da
Skoda Karoq new base but includes heaps $39990 da

Mazda will go the way of the dinosaurs

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by kevino

Give Skoda a tick
Skoda Kamiq run out $32990 da
Skoda Karoq new base but includes heaps $39990 da

Mazda will go the way of the dinosaurs

Add in a seven year warranty and a dealer network that stretches pretty much as far as Mazda's does, why pick Mazda over Skoda.

Not to mention Skoda's sedans aren't a billion year old design