It's Christmas in July on Popular Ford Models

[Donut King]

It's Christmas in July on Popular Ford Models

Ford Australia today announced a host of key enhancements across its popular Falcon, Territory, Ranger and Focus model lines, including more safety equipment, additional features and revised pricing. Effective from July 1, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is now fitted as standard equipment on all automatic petrol and XR Falcon sedans, and across the entire Territory range, further improving the already strong safety credentials of Ford's family car and top-selling SUV models.

DSC has been added to the standard specification of all automatic transmission-equipped petrol Falcon XT, Futura and Fairmont sedan models, along with all normally aspirated XR6 variants – six-speed manual, four-speed automatic and six-speed automatic.

Falcon XR6 Turbo and XR8 models, as well as Fairmont Ghia, are already fitted with DSC as standard equipment.

Also part of the greater standardisation of key features, a number of high-series items, previously available as an option, are now fitted as standard on selected Falcon XR models.

The premium Interior Command Centre (ICC) – featuring automatic climate control air conditioning with dual zone temperature control and premium audio system with large colour screen, six-disc in-dash CD player, 150-watt amplifier and 150-watt sub-woofer – is now standard on XR6 with the optional six-speed automatic transmission, and all XR6 Turbo and XR8 models.

In addition, 18-inch alloy wheels are also included in the feature-packed upgrade on XR6 six-speed automatic, and both manual and automatic XR6 Turbo models (18-inch alloy wheels are already standard on XR8).

"With the release of BF Falcon MkII in October last year, we took the deliberate strategic action of repositioning some of our most popular Falcon models, in order to deliver an even more customer-focused price and specification set for our vehicles," Ford Australia President Tom Gorman said.

"We have now taken these actions a step further, building on the overall competitiveness of the Falcon brand with the most comprehensively equipped Falcon range we have ever released.

"These latest Falcon offerings deliver sensational value to customers and further increase the attractiveness of the entire Falcon range."

In addition to the greater levels of standard equipment and safety features, changes have also been made to the recommended retail pricing on Falcon, further improving the overall value proposition on a number of individual models.

"Recommended retail pricing on the Falcon XR range has been reduced by up to 4.3 per cent," Mr Gorman said.

"However, if you incorporate the value of the premium features and safety equipment that has been added across the Falcon XR range, the overall value equation has improved by as much as 14.6 per cent.

"In conjunction with the host of improvements and pricing actions we introduced on BF Falcon MkII, the current Falcon range is now a standout in terms of value for money."

See pricing pages for full BF Falcon MkII pricing information

Territory

The Territory model range has also been improved as a result of increased safety equipment, additional interior features and revised pricing on most models, cementing its position at the top of the SUV sector.

With the advent of DSC on Territory TX RWD and TS RWD models, the complete Territory line-up is now equipped with the latest in chassis control systems, adding to the already high levels of active safety built into each Territory.

Territory Ghia RWD and AWD models, along with the Territory Ghia Turbo, will all gain extra comfort features from September 1.

A memory function will return to the six-way power driver's seat as standard equipment on all three Ghia models, along with an electrochromatic interior rear vision mirror.

Recommended retail pricing on all normally aspirated Territory models has changed, with most models benefiting from a reduction of between 3.8 per cent and 5.8 per cent.

"Territory has been a clear leader in the Medium SUV segment since it was launched, playing a major role in the boom that has seen sales of SUVs increase dramatically over the past few years," Mr Gorman said.

"With the Compact and Medium SUV segments now more hotly contested than ever before, these changes will see Territory continue to be the first choice amongst SUV buyers and maintain its leadership position."

See pricing pages for full SY Territory pricing information

Ranger

Mr Gorman also announced new pricing for the PJ Ranger line-up, along with the addition of air conditioning as a no cost option on the entry-level, manual transmission XL Single Cab cab/chassis models.

"Ranger has proved extremely popular since it was officially launched in late 2006, especially following the arrival of the five-speed automatic transmission variants earlier this year," Mr Gorman said.

"Customers can now take advantage of fantastic value deals right across the Ranger line-up with price reductions of up to 13.4 per cent on 4x2 models and up to 7.7 per cent on 4x4 models."

See pricing pages for full PJ Ranger pricing information

Focus

Pricing for the new Focus range will start from $19,990 for the entry-level manual CL hatchback and sedan, including dual front airbags and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as standard equipment.

Side airbags, curtain airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control (TC) will also be available on CL models as part of an optional safety pack.

Full pricing and specification for the entire 2007 Focus range, including the all-new turbo-diesel Focus TDCi, will be released later this week.

[Donut King]

[PepeLePew]

And once again Ford kicks existing owners in the guts on resale....

[paule11]

had a gut feeling there would be better deals a few weeks after I purchased

[XR8putts]

Is this the big announcement?

Good value in there though, could even call it an BF Mk3

[FTE217]

Sorry for current owners but at least they are being pro active in the battle for new car sales against players with more resources importantly better marketing stratergies.
Confirms my thoughts as a private buyer never to buy new.

[daz82]

Just be thankfull that they didn't discount heavily, and mainly jsut added more equipment.

[mowog]

Except for the 18's which I dont like look of.. I optioned all that in my XR6 Turbo Ute and got a discount of $5k.

But it is good value for current buyers.

Its interesting to see some of the Territory items that were deleted are now back. I also believe that AWD tyres are now optional on the AWD Territory.

[King Nothing]

As said above, is this the big announcement? I mean it's good and all, and will help move a few cars. I guess its better than a new stripe package. Personally I was looking for something a bit more "wow!" though. They had better be saving something good for 08.

[Smoke Pursuit]

This will bring the XR models into line with the VE, as VE SV6 comes with 6 stacker and 18's, interesting to see they now include climate control standard aswell.. I hope we dont see a repeat of the BA intro with the Orion where they delete standard features on the next model.....

[mickvc1]

I guess with a three and four day weeks at the ford production line, they had to do something to move their cars territory is nearly outselling falcon with production almost 50/05

[The Stylist]

Originally Posted by King Nothing

As said above, is this the big announcement?

I don't believe that it is. Still not sure what the "big announcement" could be about either.

[Outbackjack]

I was all set to get a new orion XR8 or perhaps mayber even a GT. But after seeing what ford has done since buying my new XR8 in 12/07, that will be my last ever new ford...... Perhaps my last ever ford.

Who can afford to keep buying fords????

[fou_bleu]

Well, at least Ford is making it's cars affordable!

[prydey]

yeah how rude of ford to release improved models and features hurting current owner resales :

what did you expect when you bought a new car? no upgrades in the future? your car wasn't going to be affected by depreciation? get a grip guys!!

the way i see it is this is good news for the future. it means this should be the minimum level of features on the orion as very rarely do they take away options after adding them to a previous model. a bf2 xr6 6sp now has everything and more than a au or even ba fairmont ghia except for maybe a bit of woodgrain.

value for money is what its all about. us being ford fanatics would probably buy a ford regardless but there are many out there that are just looking for a good value family car and quite often toyota and mitsi and holden have more features for the money than ford.

[SpoolMan]

I am presuming the the (a) & (m) are Sedan and Ute?

[Smoke Pursuit]

(A) - Auto

(M) - Manual

utes wont get this option.

Funny enough it wont hurt resale on BFII sedans as its not a new model, the only time it will hurt you is if you actually paid the extra for the options, but if you have a Basic XR6 / T / 8 it wont hurt your resale, assuming you paid less then retail when you bought.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by prydey

yeah how rude of ford to release improved models and features hurting current owner resales :

what did you expect when you bought a new car? no upgrades in the future? your car wasn't going to be affected by depreciation? get a grip guys!!

the way i see it is this is good news for the future. it means this should be the minimum level of features on the orion as very rarely do they take away options after adding them to a previous model. a bf2 xr6 6sp now has everything and more than a au or even ba fairmont ghia except for maybe a bit of woodgrain.

value for money is what its all about. us being ford fanatics would probably buy a ford regardless but there are many out there that are just looking for a good value family car and quite often toyota and mitsi and holden have more features for the money than ford.

Some of these Features wont be standard on Orion, i doubt climate control will be standard on XR models, this is just a save our *** for the moment campaign, just like the AU series III was, remember the Forte had full colour coding, but that was dropped on the BA? Just like Six Stack CD Players on XRs were standard on AUII, but dropped on AUIII, fords always adding and deleting options its a joke.

[FPV8U]

Ouch that will burn my re-sale a little bit more, but they need to be competitive with a VE so whatever it takes.

Hoping Orion XR8 will maintain similar pricing and specs.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by prydey

yeah how rude of ford to release improved models and features hurting current owner resales :

what did you expect when you bought a new car? no upgrades in the future? your car wasn't going to be affected by depreciation? get a grip guys!!

the way i see it is this is good news for the future. it means this should be the minimum level of features on the orion as very rarely do they take away options after adding them to a previous model. a bf2 xr6 6sp now has everything and more than a au or even ba fairmont ghia except for maybe a bit of woodgrain.

value for money is what its all about. us being ford fanatics would probably buy a ford regardless but there are many out there that are just looking for a good value family car and quite often toyota and mitsi and holden have more features for the money than ford.

No new car owner should have to tolerate almost 50% depreciation in less than 2 years.
Buy a new ford at your own risk guys......

[bathurst77]

Originally Posted by PepeLePew

And once again Ford kicks existing owners in the guts on resale....

Oh come on!
Now people are whinging when a company IMPROVES its models or value?
Cars are like PCs and most household items, you know when you buy it that not long after you get it home a new better one will come along.

Get over it.

Press release.
Ford today announced it was not going to improve any of its product for the next 6 years. Tom Gorman was quoted as saying
"We want people to know that if they buy a Ford today, it will not lose any resale due to better performing or value cars coming out next year."

"And to all those people who were hoping for major improvements and increased output for the Orion or FPV range, you can relax. We will leave it to GM and other manufacturers to kick their current owners in the guts, we want to look after our owners resale values by never improving again."

"In fact just to make those owners of pre 1980 cars feel comfortable, we are proud to announce the re-introduction of recirulating ball steering, drum brakes, carburettor engines and a raft of 1960s technology."

[PepeLePew]

<SNIP>

[PepeLePew]

<SNIP>

[prydey]

depreciation at that scale is not just a ford thing. fords resale, particularly on n/a xr6 has actually improved quite a lot.

not many car resales are above 50% after 3 years. its the price you pay for buying a new car.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

No new car owner should have to tolerate almost 50% depreciation in less than 2 years.
Buy a new ford at your own risk guys......

Its the same with Holden, theres only a few cars around that hold their value, most have a Toyota badge , eg. 100 series cruisers!!

[Falcon Freak]

Ford has to do something to generate sales as the BF MkII model will need to put up a fight for another 10 months. Although Orion will be launched at the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show, the car won't go on sale until April 2008.

It is said that lessons are learnt the hard way. It appears that Ford Australia didn't experience enough pain when the VT Commodore thrashed ELII Falcon in 1997 and 1998. How else can you explain Ford giving the opposition an almost two year head start with an all new model??? :

FF

[Smoke Pursuit]

EL Falcon u mean...

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by Donut King

Focus

Pricing for the new Focus range will start from $19,990 for the entry-level manual CL hatchback and sedan, including dual front airbags and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as standard equipment.

Side airbags, curtain airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control (TC) will also be available on CL models as part of an optional safety pack.

Full pricing and specification for the entire 2007 Focus range, including the all-new turbo-diesel Focus TDCi, will be released later this week.

So does this mean your now getting the Euro built Focus or is Sth Africa able to do Curtain Airbags ?

[jdg]

Sorry if im breaking old news but Ford Also announced that the V8's will go from 290 to 302kw.

http://editorial.carsales.com.au/car...w/2724488.aspx

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by jdg

Sorry if im breaking old news but Ford Also announced that the V8's will go from 290 to 302kw.

http://editorial.carsales.com.au/car...w/2724488.aspx

It hasn't been "announced" by Ford. It is "believed" to be what Ford will do later this year as reported in the article.