VFACTS May 2012

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by RHR

Have one as a work vehicle and at 40k intervals they have to remove the Intercooler to get to the rocker cover pull it off and check the clearances of the tappets. Their timing belt require changing at 80k.

Now compared to the old ranger they require their belts to be changed at around 110k or 120

I just don't get the hype with them

Its because of the Toyota name. Toyotas are untouchable in the 4WD world.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by eb2monty

Are you serious? Commodore sells 1500 more per month, that's why. Plus most of the press are Holden lovers anyway.

Holdens declines with Commodore pretty much mirror Falcons decline, yet according to most people, press included, the Commodore is doing ok. Huh?

Originally Posted by DJM83

This year.

Are you sure. It still hasn't gone on sale in Europe yet. I'm positive FoA have said 2013.

Originally Posted by Nic85

Poor Falcon... It's such a shame, but how much longer can they go on like this? I say it every month. You're probably sick of hearing it by now.

Can't see why you'd care, you've never even owned one have you? Or a Ford of any description?

Originally Posted by Brazen

Wait, what? Only 4? Wouldnt this be there busiest time building up stock? It could hardly be worth the extra assembly line/parts complexity??

Stock got built up the month before for demos etc, just built to order now in single figure numbers. Can't see how its even going to pay back the money Ford spent getting the thing to market.

[Nic85]

Hilux timing belt on the 3L diesel is 150,000kms.

My old man just sold his 2007 SR5 diesel. 110,000kms in that time - 2 sets of injectors replaced under warranty ($9000 each time if out of warranty), and the rear diff died at 100,000kms.

Apart from the fact it could only tow 2.2 tonne, had an archaic 4 speed auto (and still does in 2012), had an old, rattly, underpowered diesel engine and was generally more truck like than an Oka, it was fine.

My first car was a 1984 Ford Telstar way back in 1997. I also owned an EL Falcon not long after that.

[Smoke Pursuit]

The mines are the reason Hilux is still doing so well.

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by 4.0i OHC

*cough* Territory *cough*

I see your point. Enthusiasts know that the Territory is on the same platform as the Falcon, but no one else does. At the end of the day it's 1000 Falcons vs 2500 Commodores. Sad, but true.

As a Ford fan, I've played the victim long enough. Not anymore. Focus selling 1600? Hmm, I wonder if sponsoring that little show called THE VOICE had anything to do with it?

I was cynical about the Falcon's future about 8 months ago and I let the ever 'positive' fans on here turn me around. Sorry, it doesn't look like anything will save the Falcon. A real crying shame as it is the best car in its class.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

The mines are the reason Hilux is still doing so well.

...and famers.

[Joe5619]

Come on EB4, we need you to fire & fire soon!!!


Only building 4 a day is disappointing. Have the gotten any major fleet deals yet? Surely the bloody Vic state government should be coming to the parity?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

The mines are the reason Hilux is still doing so well.

Yeah, getting kitted out as an approved "mine vehicle" with roll cage and added light bars ect,
It's just way easier to go Landcruiser or Hilux,

On topic, I'm glad to see that Ford is selling every Focus and Ranger they can get their hands on,
Imagine if we had these supplies improved by production here in Australia,

[XR Martin]

The mines will stop buying the Hilux in six months time unless the current model can achieve five star safety.

LC70 Landcruiser has zero chance of making it, so its sales will slow to a trickle.

[1TUFFUTE]

mymates reckon at thier 2 mines they work at, the hiluxes just get ordered again automatically...they dont even do any homework

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

mymates reckon at thier 2 mines they work at, the hiluxes just get ordered again automatically...they dont even do any homework

In 2006, Hilux achieved 4 stars, what's the bet that the 2012 model will get 5 stars.

Has ANCAP even tested the new Hilux yet?

[Nic85]

Base model Hilux still doesn't get Stability Control, so it can't get 5 stars.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by jpd80

In 2006, Hilux achieved 4 stars, what's the bet that the 2012 model will get 5 stars.

Has ANCAP even tested the new Hilux yet?

In 2013 Hilux will be 5 stars only a few months after the new BHP Billiton requirement comes in.

[BHDOGS]

Excellent news ford keep up the good work

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by Brazen

In 2013 Hilux will be 5 stars only a few months after the new BHP Billiton requirement comes in.

Correct, Toyota has already implied that it intends to bring Hilux up to a 5 star rating but not until well into 2013.

[Brazen]

Now can they chuck the diesel in the Falcon and Falcon ute? Falcon ute sales would take off like a rocket.

Interestingly I read that over 70% of Audi A6 sedan sales are diesel even though the Audi 2L petrol (Ecoboost-like engine) uses just 6.5 litres per 100km and is 2 grand cheaper than the diesel.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Yeah, getting kitted out as an approved "mine vehicle" with roll cage and added light bars ect,
It's just way easier to go Landcruiser or Hilux,

On topic, I'm glad to see that Ford is selling every Focus and Ranger they can get their hands on,
Imagine if we had these supplies improved by production here in Australia,

Exactly, even if they made Ranger here in CKD form, it would help alleviate supply issues and make it a more viable alternative to the Hilux for mining companies. They could also work on a Police special to claw back some sales from the Hilux.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Exactly, even if they made Ranger here in CKD form, it would help alleviate supply issues and make it a more viable alternative to the Hilux for mining companies. They could also work on a Police special to claw back some sales from the Hilux.

There is also huge political pressure for mining companies to buy Australian capital items. Add to fact large fleets like Elders and Telstra and government departments would be compelled to buy it. And a lot of tradies and farmers want to buy Australian...

An Aussie Ranger would be the best selling car in the country - guranteed.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Are you sure. It still hasn't gone on sale in Europe yet. I'm positive FoA have said 2013.

I heard December, i guess thats close enough to this year, but may push into next year.
Euro schedule.
Full production 18th June 2012
Gate release of launch stock from 2nd July
Customer ordered cars built from August onwards.

[Poetic Justice]

No, quite frankly, it wouldn't.

Ranger seems to eclipse Hilux in its quality and package, and the Hilux is essentially an upgraded 2005 model.

What will happen then when a new Hilux comes out? What do you expect that to do?

Not enough people are going to be Aussie loyalists to allow Ranger, or any other ute for that matter, to dismantle the Hilux.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by SCUD

No, quite frankly, it wouldn't.

Ranger seems to eclipse Hilux in its quality and package, and the Hilux is essentially an upgraded 2005 model.

What will happen then when a new Hilux comes out? What do you expect that to do?

Not enough people are going to be Aussie loyalists to allow Ranger, or any other ute for that matter, to dismantle the Hilux.

Of course it will, Hilux is simply the deafult choice. They are all built in Thailand so why not pick the Hilux? If Ranger was built locally - that would become the default choice.

Even Holden found that the local production of Cruze had a profound influence on people's buying decisions, and that's just a small sedan. I would dare say the ute market would be much more inclined to buy Aussie than Thai.

Fleets are even more likely to buy Australian (or even forced to), hence Ford wouldnt even have to be that competitive on fleet price -making local production even more viable.

[Poetic Justice]

Like your optimism, but can't share it unfortunately. Hilux is king.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Of course it will, Hilux is simply the deafult choice. They are all built in Thailand so why not pick the Hilux? If Ranger was built locally - that would become the default choice.

Even Holden found that the local production of Cruze had a profound influence on people's buying decisions, and that's just a small sedan. I would dare say the ute market would be much more inclined to buy Aussie than Thai.Fleets are even more likely to buy Australian (or even forced to), hence Ford wouldnt even have to be that competitive on fleet price -making local production even more viable.

Remind me how many Mazda 3's (even Corolla) are sold compared to Curze? Local production will not guarantee anything. Cruze sales have not gone up at all with local production & it now includes a hatch!!

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Remind me how many Mazda 3's (even Corolla) are sold compared to Curze? Local production will not guarantee anything. Cruze sales have not gone up at all with local production & it now includes a hatch!!

Small cars have a much higher percentage of private sales with the Mazda 3 being the biggest selling private car. Even so Cruze has come from nowhere to be one of the biggest selling cars in the country.

Cruze sales have increase markedly with local production - its sold around 2800 last month and has overtaken Commodore. Corolla sales have fallen off a cliff since Cruze rocked up. The same thing would happen to Hilux with local Ranger.

Ute sales are much more fleet focused than small cars, which have a compulsion in many cases to buy local where possible. Ranger would virtually be the front runner in every fleet in the country due to local production.

Private ute buyers are much more likely in my opinion to value local production than the iPhone-generation which buys small cars like the Cruze - even so Holden research shows that even local production in small cars was a major purchase consideration when buying the Cruze. And these small cars are probably confined to the city - imagine how much this feeling of buying local would be amplified with local production of a LCV which is designed and built for the Australian outback and conditions.


Another reason I know Im right is that this forum always gets it wrong :-) Just waiting for all the fleets to start grabbing 40 grand Ecoboost Falcons... cough cough. Anyway lets just restrict Ranger to Thai production and let it get outsold - easy answer.

[BroadyFord]

How on earth can Falcon survive until 2016 on those numbers?

If someone had told me 5 years ago that Falcon would be a niche vehicle only bought by enthusiasts and some fleet buyers, I would have considered them bonkers!

[RHR]

Originally Posted by Nic85

Hilux timing belt on the 3L diesel is 150,000kms.

I stand corrected

[bobthebilda]

Vfacts has 96,000 cars being registered for May 2012, which is quite a decent jump over last months (and even same time last year).

http://www.fcai.com.au/sales/latest-sales-reports

The only problem is, if the figures that started this thread are correct, none of the jump is the result of increased local sales. 4x4 utes, large and medium SUVS and small cars are powering along.

[turbodewd]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

Vfacts has 96,000 cars being registered for May 2012, which is quite a decent jump over last months (and even same time last year).

http://www.fcai.com.au/sales/latest-sales-reports

The only problem is, if the figures that started this thread are correct, none of the jump is the result of increased local sales. 4x4 utes, large and medium SUVS and small cars are powering along.

If you look at the pie graph theres no ACT despite it being bigger than Tas or the NT which both get a slice...what the?!

As long as the Falcon beats the Aurion, Maxima, Liberty and Mazda 6 then Im happy these days.

"Sales of locally manufactured vehicles are up 11.0 per cent compared to the same period last year. "

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Small cars have a much higher percentage of private sales with the Mazda 3 being the biggest selling private car. Even so Cruze has come from nowhere to be one of the biggest selling cars in the country.
.

It did that before local production started!!

Originally Posted by Brazen

Cruze sales have increase markedly with local production - its sold around 2800 last month and has overtaken Commodore. Corolla sales have fallen off a cliff since Cruze rocked up. The same thing would happen to Hilux with local Ranger..

I'd hardly call 300 odd units more sinse local production started, increase markedly

Originally Posted by Brazen

Ute sales are much more fleet focused than small cars, which have a compulsion in many cases to buy local where possible. Ranger would virtually be the front runner in every fleet in the country due to local production.

Private ute buyers are much more likely in my opinion to value local production than the iPhone-generation which buys small cars like the Cruze - even so Holden research shows that even local production in small cars was a major purchase consideration when buying the Cruze. And these small cars are probably confined to the city - imagine how much this feeling of buying local would be amplified with local production of a LCV which is designed and built for the Australian outback and conditions.


Another reason I know Im right is that this forum always gets it wrong :-) Just waiting for all the fleets to start grabbing 40 grand Ecoboost Falcons... cough cough. Anyway lets just restrict Ranger to Thai production and let it get outsold - easy answer.

Explain to me where all the fleet cars sales have gone if it is not small cars? It was not that long along Falcon & Commodore were selling 11-12000 each month, with lets say 70% fleets that is 7700-8400 in fleets sales each month. Most of them aren't come from commodore & Falcon anymore, they have to be somewhere..


If Australian made was so important, both Falcon & Commodore would not be selling as poorly as they are right now!! Sadly, Australian made means little, even to the government.. Sad, but it is true.


The only benefit to local Ranger production (or any local vehicle production) would be unlimited supply.

[BP'93]

Holden/Ford/Hyundai/VW/Toyota Breakdown of Model table anyone???