VFACTS - July 2024

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

With what happened on the markets today with the pacific peso (AUD) taking a shit, I don't think we'll be buying anything with our shitcoin at this rate, a lovely $100B hit to the ASX - ouchies if you're on the cusp of retiring with the hit you're going to cop on your super.

Oh well, maybe we'll attract foreign investment and become a manufacturing powerhouse again if our peso falls further

Ironically part of the reason was the mad lads at the Bank of Japan actually increasing their interest rates from a floor near zero. Like throwing a boulder into a pond.

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

Ford have all their eggs in the one basket.
They were The Falcon Company. They're now almost 100% dependent on the Ranger-Everest Platform.
One bad build year could see the entire thing come tumbling down
Toyota have strong performers in almost very segment. The RAV-4 sells like hotcakes.

The Ford Escape has essentially died without a whimper in Australia despite being a very decent car that unlike many of the mid-sized SUVs, is an enjoyable drive. Also one of few cars in its segment that has a torque-converter in it, as opposed to a bloody CVT. Of course, nobody knows that because Ford's marketing department have still not improved one bit over the past 15 years.

I think the Everest is a decent car, but too big for me. I have no need for a Ranger. Too impractical anyway.

Ford has neglected too many market segments. The mid-range SUV is fertile ground, but you aren't going to pull people away from a Rav-4 or CX-5 if you don't give them an active reason to do so. The driving dynamics, the drivetrain, the styling etc. should all have been hammered home.
The RAV-4 styling is fine (IMO), but the drivetrain is inferior, and the handling is reportedly quite mundane. Despite that, people run towards them like Homer and the ice-cream truck.

I wish Ford supported their models more. The Focus also deserved better. The final models had fixed the DSG issues and replaced with a traditional box, but I guarantee that 99% of people wouldn't know.

For Ford's sake, I just hope the Ranger and Everest are always decent relative to their opposition, or they're going to be caught with their pants down again, or completely ripped off as in the case of Holden.

I think the styling was part of the problem. Puma looks good in the higher spec trims, but even then from some angles it looks odd, almost like a bug. Escape looks very feminine, shame we’re not getting the updated model that looks a bit more butch. Focus was the same, a good looking car in higher spec trim that still looked odd from some angles.

The interiors weren’t exactly best in class either. Functional maybe, but just seemed they built it to a price.

[kevino]

All subjective
I think all 3 look good
But powershift drama s in prev models prob damaged focus
And Puma and Escape don’t think Ford Ute Aus could get any stock from Ford Eur so they didn’t bother marketing or advertising … good cars gone bye bye

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

I think the styling was part of the problem. Puma looks good in the higher spec trims, but even then from some angles it looks odd, almost like a bug. Escape looks very feminine, shame we’re not getting the updated model that looks a bit more butch. Focus was the same, a good looking car in higher spec trim that still looked odd from some angles.

The interiors weren’t exactly best in class either. Functional maybe, but just seemed they built it to a price.

Ford deliberately softened the Escape's styling for the current generation, namely, to put distance between it and the Bronco Sport which shares the same platform. Problem is that concept was only relevant for US customers because Ford stupidly limited the Bronco Sport to the US market, so every other market got a take it or leave it proposition.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

For Ford's sake, I just hope the Ranger and Everest are always decent relative to their opposition, or they're going to be caught with their pants down again, or completely ripped off as in the case of Holden.

The real test will be the new Prado. The less conservative styling might do well in that segment. Will be interesting to see Everest numbers against that.

[FTE217]

Prado has never been a looker so it won’t matter, it’s their distribution and return business and fleet.
Ford hardly over turns them but for Ranger getting ahead of them in advancements originally.
There has hardly been a Toy flop of the popular volume models even with recalls dpf dogs they keep re climbing the step ladder.
Always a challenge but they recover ground lost or near enough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Ford deliberately softened the Escape's styling for the current generation, namely, to put distance between it and the Bronco Sport which shares the same platform. Problem is that concept was only relevant for US customers because Ford stupidly limited the Bronco Sport to the US market, so every other market got a take it or leave it proposition.

You could also make an argument that the softening of Escape body was to migrate
more Focus buyers to a more profitable vehicle.

It matters little as Ford Europe has cut a lot of the Euro 5 versions and Australia can’t
import Euro 6 compliant vehicles until the fuel available here in about 18 months.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m in the camp that would love to see more compact fords here,
America/Mexico exports to us would be helpful if the vehicles were designed in RHD…
What a cluster, a RHD Maverick and Bronco Sport would be interesting models to sell here
but absolutely not on the radar unless big changes happen.

It’s clear that Ford has a set its plan on highly profitable Ranger /Everest sales, that success
at least gives Ford a chance to at least look at a business plan for more vehicles but then,
governments pushing like crazy with electrification sure doesn’t help.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I wonder how long RAV4 hybrid buyers were waiting for their vehicles,
looks like almost a full boat load sold last month.

RAV4 wait times have been crazy long so I would say that this is a big delivery. It will be interesting to see the figures next month.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by vztrt

RAV4 wait times have been crazy long so I would say that this is a big delivery. It will be interesting to see the figures next month.

Yes, that would explain why so many in a month, I’ve heard that buyers have been hanging on
waiting a long time for these..must be a joy to finally get what you really want,
can’t deny the conviction of those buyers.
I guess the same could be said of Ranger/Everest buyers and of course Hilux/Prado buyer too…

I wonder if ramp up on boat deliveries is starting to shorten buyer wait times for vehicles.
I know wait times for certain Rangers was over 12 months before the new carrier started
so hoping it gets down to like two or three months (maybe wishful thinking)

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by jpd80

You could also make an argument that the softening of Escape body was to migrate
more Focus buyers to a more profitable vehicle.

America/Mexico exports to us would be helpful if the vehicles were designed in RHD…

What a cluster, a RHD Maverick and Bronco Sport would be interesting models to sell here but absolutely not on the radar unless big changes happen.

It’s clear that Ford has a set its plan on highly profitable Ranger /Everest sales, that success at least gives Ford a chance to at least look at a business plan for more vehicles but then, governments pushing like crazy with electrification sure doesn’t help.

The whole Ford approach to markets outside of the USA is pure laziness. At the moment, Ranger/Everest is super easy and basically sells itself, backed by plant capacity being in the right places to deliver on that. I have no doubt Bronco Sport and Maverick would have done big business in Australia, Maverick in particular for those who simply don't need a 2.8 tonne ladder frame me-too vehicle.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Maverick in particular for those who simply don't need a 2.8 tonne ladder frame me-too vehicle.

All the Strava/Running club crew, with the garmin watches, speed dealer shades, fancy runners who you'd be at a urinal at the cinemas, there's 20 others that are free but they'd come up and start using the urinal next to you, then tell you how they're 'training for a marathon' and their 5km PB at parkrun.

They tend to be outdoorsy types who you could market a 'lifestyle ute', something thats not a ladder frame clattery diesel piece of shit that you get diesel on your hands every time you fill it up and that steers like the Costa Concordia.

It wouldn't canibalise Ranger sales as they're different customers, it'll steal some off Subaru and some other SUV sellers.

https://www.ford.com/trucks/maverick/

Its a huge oversight keeping that to US-only, would do well in Australia.

Its based off Focus/C2 platform so it should steer and drive wicked, more car like anyway.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

All the Strava/Running club crew, with the garmin watches, speed dealer shades, fancy runners who you'd be at a urinal at the cinemas, there's 20 others that are free but they'd come up and start using the urinal next to you, then tell you how they're 'training for a marathon' and their 5km PB at parkrun.

They tend to be outdoorsy types who you could market a 'lifestyle ute', something thats not a ladder frame clattery diesel piece of shit that you get diesel on your hands every time you fill it up and that steers like the Costa Concordia.

It wouldn't canibalise Ranger sales as they're different customers, it'll steal some off Subaru and some other SUV sellers.

https://www.ford.com/trucks/maverick/

I'm impressed you know what strava is....

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by prydey

I'm impressed you know what strava is....

Notice I didn't say New Balance runners though,

[prydey]

I don't do running. Too old for that. I'll stick to walking and cycling.

Mind you, I reckon the smaller ford macho style SUVs would more suit the young mums in leggings with the jogging prams...

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

I don't do running. Too old for that. I'll stick to walking and cycling.

Mind you, I reckon the smaller ford macho style SUVs would more suit the young mums in leggings with the jogging prams...

Bronco Sport would fill that role superbly. But no, it would cost them too much money to make some money.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

The whole Ford approach to markets outside of the USA is pure laziness. At the moment, Ranger/Everest is super easy and basically sells itself, backed by plant capacity being in the right places to deliver on that. I have no doubt Bronco Sport and Maverick would have done big business in Australia, Maverick in particular for those who simply don't need a 2.8 tonne ladder frame me-too vehicle.

Yes, exactly right.
It’s disappointing that Ford Australia can’t access either Maverick or Bronco Sport in RHD,
I know there's been a big issue with even supplying the USA with decent numbers but now
supply restrictions are lifting and inventory growing, there’s a slight chance to revisit the request.

In any regard, disappointment in not having access to those vehicles should not give way to
spiteful invective regarding the success of Ranger and Everest and the “Ranger Motor Company”
Would that they could Ford Australia working its backside off to get more product but friggin hard.

In my mind, Toyota and Mazda are getting too many easy sales from Ford people who want
vehicles that Ford doesn’t supply, I hope there’s a way of showing head office what could be

[prydey]

Originally Posted by jpd80

In my mind, Toyota and Mazda are getting too many easy sales from Ford people who want
vehicles that Ford doesn’t supply, I hope there’s a way of showing head office what could be

I don't think so.

Ford, time and again, have had good products in those segments and they just don't sell.

Even on this forum, if someone asks for recommendations on a car to buy, Ford are rarely mentioned.

Then when Ford decide to pull the product, the knives come out.

Personally I think Ford have shown their ability to adapt to the market here and even once local manufacturing closed they have found a way to stay in the top 5 brands here, despite the predictions of doom on this forum.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by prydey

I don't think so.

Ford, time and again, have had good products in those segments and they just don't sell.

Even on this forum, if someone asks for recommendations on a car to buy, Ford are rarely mentioned.

Then when Ford decide to pull the product, the knives come out.

Personally I think Ford have shown their ability to adapt to the market here and even once local manufacturing closed they have found a way to stay in the top 5 brands here, despite the predictions of doom on this forum.

All I know is that I bought a CX-8 brand new last month because Ford had nothing to offer in what I want.
Surveyed several Mazda dealers here in Brisbane when looking for a vehicles, surprised by how many
people who owned Fords also buy new Mazdas…

I know that anecdotal from several dealerships in my area but it sure beats that whiney
people don’t wants Fords when they’re offered…..can you blame them when the prices are up there
or they come with a pre fkd dry clutch DSG that Ford won’t honour warrant on…

I could go on but the point is by the time Forrd tried to save its name, the damage was done.

I think it’s time to hit the reset button and try again but understand if Ford disagrees.

[CyberWasp]

I am also in the crowd of buying a Mazda when wanting a Ford.
When the wife's car was due for an upgrade we waited for the updated Escape to come but it never eventuated so hello CX5 Turbo.

Also I like the new Maverick Tremor edition, it would suit me better for what I am doing than my current Thai Special, and would be cheaper to buy and run i would imagine.

Also I am guessing we can see what direction the front styling cues of an updated Ranger will look like when ever that happens in the future.

[Franco Cozzo]

People still want cars, but unfortunately, Ford is discontinuing all of them

It’s been just over a year since Ford stopped producing the Fiesta, and I still can’t believe higher-ups thought it was a good idea. The Fiesta’s discontinuation was another blow to those who still want cars. In 2022, the Mondeo met the same fate, and the Ka city car was discontinued in 2019. The sales numbers clearly reflect that the shift towards crossovers isn’t working out.

According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Ford’s performance this year has been poor. Demand in the European Union, European Free Trade Association, and the UK has dropped by 16.9 percent, with only 226,365 cars sold. This data covers 27 EU countries, along with four in the EFTA, while the UK is counted separately since leaving the EU in early 2020.

https://enginepatrol.com/fords-sales...are-declining/

Not sure I buy supply out of Ford Europe being the problem for Ford Australia then they're tanking in sales in Europe

[kevino]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

https://enginepatrol.com/fords-sales...are-declining/

Not sure I buy supply out of Ford Europe being the problem for Ford Australia then they're tanking in sales in Europe

Did you not read about Ford EU cars being set to EURO6 fuel and our fuel is EURO 5 not changing till 6 Dec 25.
Did you miss that memo.
It was placed in your in tray.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by kevino

Did you not read about Ford EU cars being set to EURO6 fuel and our fuel is EURO 5 not changing till 6 Dec 25.
Did you miss that memo.
It was placed in your in tray.

Thats cute, that doesn't explain the last 5 years

[galaxy xr8]

My wife and I are also in that segment where we bought a Mazda CX-5 Turbo over the Ford equivalent, personally we believe the Mazda was and is, hands down the better vehicle.
We had previously looked over the Ford range but the Mazda was just so much better in all aspects, and having the Mazda for 3 years now we are extremely happy with it. So much so that I regret in some way of purchasing the Territory over the CX-9 at the time.

Not to mention the after sales, where I have had the Territory (which we bought brand new) serviced through Ford dealerships and the Mazda (also brand new) serviced through Mazda dealerships, well the Mazda experience has been ever so pleasing to the point where at one stage we had a few issues with the actual service but they recognised their mistake and couldn't do enough to rectify the problem and actually went way out of their way to turn the experience completely around. Where as for the Ford dealership and service of the Territory, well I've been through two different dealerships now just to find one that treats you with respect and every time I had the car there it became a nightmare, so much that I dreaded the time when it was time to service the car.

We are still in a major dispute with the last service (dealership) that is going through VCAT at the moment.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

My wife and I are also in that segment where we bought a Mazda CX-5 Turbo over the Ford equivalent, personally we believe the Mazda was and is, hands down the better vehicle.
We had previously looked over the Ford range but the Mazda was just so much better in all aspects, and having the Mazda for 3 years now we are extremely happy with it. So much so that I regret in some way of purchasing the Territory over the CX-9 at the time.

Not to mention the after sales, where I have had the Territory (which we bought brand new) serviced through Ford dealerships and the Mazda (also brand new) serviced through Mazda dealerships, well the Mazda experience has been ever so pleasing to the point where at one stage we had a few issues with the actual service but they recognised their mistake and couldn't do enough to rectify the problem and actually went way out of their way to turn the experience completely around. Where as for the Ford dealership and service of the Territory, well I've been through two different dealerships now just to find one that treats you with respect and every time I had the car there it became a nightmare, so much that I dreaded the time when it was time to service the car.

We are still in a major dispute with the last service (dealership) that is going through VCAT at the moment.

Pretty much the exact opposite to me.

No regrets with the Escape.

Dealer looks after us very well also and has done for years prior to buying a new car from them.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

https://enginepatrol.com/fords-sales...are-declining/

Not sure I buy supply out of Ford Europe being the problem for Ford Australia then they're tanking in sales in Europe

While sales are down, looking at sales in other regions does highlight how small the market is in Australia.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by prydey

While sales are down, looking at sales in other regions does highlight how small the market is in Australia.

That is correct, however it shows the attitude from Ford head office that they're still willing to turn their back on a market of 400M people in Europe. This is typical of American business, I've mentioned a couple times here how they think the world ends at their east and west coasts, and buying from them they treat you like a lepper, and you should be thankful they're even engaging with you at all.

Which is why China dominates business globally, complete opposite.

I suspect Ford won't exist in passenger vehicle space by 2030, and will primarily be focused on light commercial vehicles with a primary focus on North American market, and maybe some offerings to markets like Thailand/Australia/NZ where we're primarily these segments.

They're on a similar trajectory to GM, focusing everything on North America.

Its no loss really because as the big American companies turn around and say no, China says yes and is introducing new vehicles and brands to our markets constantly.

Your next new vehicle purchase will be Chinese I suspect.

Watch what Ford and GM will do to protect the North American market, they'll pull a Harley Davidson and go crying to the US federal government to implement tarrifs so they don't have to compete in their own market.

[kevino]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Thats cute, that doesn't explain the last 5 years

Ford Europe will close
Stating- due to lack of demand
The fact FOrd killed off Mondeo Ka Fiesta and next year Focus - well …..

[au2000]

Ford oz is just following in the footsteps of Henry ford…
You can have any ranger you want…. As long as it’s black

[Sprintey]

I can save Ford Europe

Take 1 Thai Factory
Make a Ranger
Delete the chassis (save $$$ on steel) - now a monocoque
Put little wheels on it
Take an Angle Grinder
Cut off 50cm from the tub
"2026 Focus"

Raise 2cm
"2026 Edge"

Take same Angle Grinder
Cut off 70cm from the tub
"2026 Fiesta"

Raise 2cm
"2026 Puma"

Can also export these to Oz in volume in boats from Thailand

You're welcome.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by prydey

While sales are down, looking at sales in other regions does highlight how small the market is in Australia.

Funny you should mention that, Ford head office is taking a bigger role in the running of Ford Europe.
To me, it looks like the chiefs are mighty displeased at how the place has been mismanaged
into the ground as well as the flow on to ROW markets. A sick Ford Europe means a sick ROW.

I feel for them because they did everything Bill Ford wanted with transitioning away from diesels, cars
and even ICEs but that has seen a devastating consequence on sales in Europe and supply to ROW
markets like ours…Europe is selfish to deal with and looks after home market first and what’s left over
production is given to internal export customers like Australia and when it pulls the rug on Euro 5 builds,
then there goes our sales.

Thinking there’s justification for a C2 production line in Thailand that could build multiple vehicles for our region
in both left and right hand drive. Sourcing vehicles from the other side of the world doesn’t seem to be working.