Focus beats Cruze

Fiesta_Man69 · 05-10-2012, 02:50 PM

In today's Carsguide, article by Isaac Bober.

Focus Sport beats Cruze SRIv

Verdict: "The Focus walks away with the trophy. It's much better to drive, is more comfortable in the front and back and has standard features that only a few years ago were the preserve of premium vehicles."

"The Cruze is out of step with the sharper and much more refined Focus. The steering, too, feels better in the Focus: the Cruzes is slow and feel free."

Great positive story: it also mentions the price cut of the Focus.

Hopefully this translates to sales.

kaniSS · 05-10-2012, 03:30 PM

Good, but how is it selling against the cruze?

csv8 · 05-10-2012, 03:56 PM

I could say..but will get flamed!!!

Joe5619 · 05-10-2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaniSS

Good, but how is it selling against the cruze?

One is increasing its market share; the other is decreasing its market share!! By large amounts!!

Fiesta_Man69 · 05-10-2012, 04:10 PM

It did mention the Focus was being outsold 2 to 1 but yes, the gap is closing, as more people realise the horrible Daewoo underpinnings of the Cruze (hence why it's handling is second rate).

What's great about such a story in Carsguide is that it is in a Newspaper that non car enthusiasts read: it attracts the casual observer who may be thinking about a new car purchase but would never buy Wheels/motor etc.

P6LTD351 · 05-10-2012, 06:51 PM

Well, the Focus is NOT being outsold 2-1 anymore!

September sales: Focus 1687 and Cruze 1951.

Won't be long before the Focus outsells the Cruze.

FPV GTHO · 05-10-2012, 06:57 PM

Isn't the Cruze on the same platform as the new Astra anyway? Delta something or other?

Nikked · 05-10-2012, 07:18 PM

"Ford gets Focused, ruins Holdens cruzie run"

Pepscobra · 05-10-2012, 07:47 PM

Comparisons mean nothing, sales numbers is where its at.

jpd80 · 05-10-2012, 07:51 PM

Has anyone else noticed that this year, Focus and Falcon sales appear to have switched?
A sure sign that Ford is changing with the times and even though sales are not that high,
the increases this year should give Ford fans hope that Focus has a shot of reaching Cruze...

P6LTD351 · 05-10-2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

Comparisons mean nothing, sales numbers is where its at.

Sales numbers are the outcome.

Comparisons like these are a factor in what leads to the outcome.

Hence, Focus sales increasing and Cruze sales decreasing to a point where the gap between the two is negligible. The Focus has a realistic shot at overtaking the Cruze, especially with the recent price reduction of the Focus.

MITCHAY · 05-10-2012, 08:41 PM

It's funny how many complain about people buying imports over the Falcon or Commodore yet bag the crap out of the Cruze which is Aussie made compared to the Focus.

It costs too much, doesn't have the same features etc etc...

Anyways, yes the Focus to me is a better car. I just thought it was a bit of a funny point because a lot of people bag out the Cruze

jpd80 · 05-10-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

It's funny how many complain about people buying imports over the Falcon or Commodore yet bag the crap out of the Cruze which is Aussie made compared to the Focus.

It costs too much, doesn't have the same features etc etc...

Anyways, yes the Focus to me is a better car. I just thought it was a bit of a funny point because a lot of people bag out the Cruze

And yet, Cruz sales have fallen significantly even though it now has a hatch variant,
maybe Cruze is out of sync with a lot of imports that have been refreshed recently....

Bossxr8 · 05-10-2012, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

It's funny how many complain about people buying imports over the Falcon or Commodore yet bag the crap out of the Cruze which is Aussie made compared to the Focus.

It costs too much, doesn't have the same features etc etc...

Anyways, yes the Focus to me is a better car. I just thought it was a bit of a funny point because a lot of people bag out the Cruze

The Cruze is pretty much a full Korean vehicle still. There's very little Australian about it.

I think the public are finally realizing the Cruze is an average vehicle and there are much better vehicles out there, Focus being one of the best.

LeadFoot81 · 06-10-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

It's funny how many complain about people buying imports over the Falcon or Commodore yet bag the crap out of the Cruze which is Aussie made compared to the Focus.

It costs too much, doesn't have the same features etc etc...

Anyways, yes the Focus to me is a better car. I just thought it was a bit of a funny point because a lot of people bag out the Cruze

The Cruze isn't Aussie made, its Aussie built. Holden even say so in their adverts. It isn't a proper Aussie made car (from drawing board through to finished product) like the Commodore, Statesman, Falcon, Territory. And regardless of its origins its fairly pox, nice to see buyers have realized this :P

Brazen · 06-10-2012, 11:47 AM

Holden have been surprised at the lower than expected take up rate of the hatch, but should they be surprised? It is one of those cars that seem to look worse every time you see it - even I defended its looks on release (what was I thinking?).

Interestingly I think the Cruze wagon will do well because it looks reasonable and I think there is a real untapped potential for a small to mid sized wagon under 30 grand from a mainstream manufacturer such as Toyota, Ford or Holden. If it sells well I wouldn't be surprised if Holden drops local production of the hatch and replaces it with the wagon for next gen Cruze.

Focus is great, I just feel it is a little cramped but everything else it does really well.

**DJM83** · 06-10-2012, 11:56 AM

Its a pity we dont get the S-Max in OZ its a bloody good car. Seen as we dont get the Focus estate.

csv8 · 06-10-2012, 12:00 PM

Cars Guide Courier Mail 06/10/12..have a comparison between the Cruze SRi-V and Focus Sport !! not a fair comparison, as the comparable car is the Focus Titanium..Still, the Focus won..which is more important...

Falcman0o7 · 06-10-2012, 12:01 PM

Very good!

Brazen · 06-10-2012, 12:04 PM

Focus wagon looks great

**Fordman1** · 06-10-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Focus wagon looks great

image

Just got back from Europe and I must say the Focus Wagon looks great on the road

csv8 · 06-10-2012, 12:59 PM

There is an ST Wagon, as well. which we will never see.....
From Ford UK website...
"The Focus ST is now available as an estate as well as a 5-door. Find out more about the driving experience, the levels of performance and efficiency, the safety features and the design of this extraordinary car.'

Pepscobra · 06-10-2012, 01:12 PM

I don't understand why Ford Oz can't bring in the full compliment of the Euro Fords. Bring in one, bring in all.
One of the biggest criticisms towards Ford is lack of choice.

**DJM83** · 06-10-2012, 01:20 PM

I do agree, but go and have a look at the Ford UK site its a big range
Models we dont get
KA
B-Max
C-Max
S-Max
Galaxy
Focus Estate.
And they are just the passenger, then there is the commercial ones aswell.
I can understand why they dont.

greenfoam · 06-10-2012, 01:37 PM

I saw a white cruze SRIv hatchback today, it looked really good! I'm still not sure I like the new Focus as much as the last model looks wise. Obviously I'd buy a Focus if I was going to buy either of them but seriously the Cruze is looking pretty sexy in the hatchback version. You can see why people buy them.

I've also become a huge fan of the Veloster and the Toyota 86 recently, not sure what's happening to me.. lucky I still got excited when I saw a late 60s Camaro the other day or I'd be worried.

FPV GTHO · 06-10-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

I don't understand why Ford Oz can't bring in the full compliment of the Euro Fords. Bring in one, bring in all.
One of the biggest criticisms towards Ford is lack of choice.

I wouldn't be surprised if its related to the same ADR issues that affect production and supply.

Wretched · 06-10-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Focus wagon looks great

image

That's the ST wagon. I'm glad Ford are not bringing that here. If they did I would have real problem justifying keeping my Focus.

The Focus in my opinion is finally getting the recognition it deserved, it is finally the car that is deserving of the world class tag.

**DJM83** · 06-10-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

That's the ST wagon. I'm glad Ford are not bringing that here. If they did I would have real problem justifying keeping my Focus.

The Focus in my opinion is finally getting the recognition it deserved, it is finally the car that is deserving of the world class tag.

It always has been a world class car IMO (ownership aside).

Agree on the ST wagon, it looks fantastic.

1TUFFUTE · 07-10-2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

Comparisons mean nothing, sales numbers is where its at.

your way off....to buyers its about owning a better car...or as this comparison reminds us...if you buy a cruize..a much worse car.
for ford and holden its not about numbers...its about PROFIT. Doesnt help holden one bit if they gain big numbers buy selling large numbers due to price cuts sales and zero margins does it.
And from what ive heard alot...ford is always keen to keep a profit over some stupid numbers race

jpd80 · 07-10-2012, 09:43 AM

Actually, the Mazda 3 is a much better guide to what Aussie buyers want than worrying about Cruze.
Now that Focus is built in Thailand, perhaps Ford can better align the Ambiente with regional preferences.
Europe doesn't consider cruise control and 2.0 DI and alloy wheels on base model as essential but for Australia,
I think we're seeing some sales bleed to Mazda 3 Neo due to perceived deficiencies in those areas with Ambiente.

The American experience has been to skip the 1.6 altogether and use 2.0 DI across the board, and in another twist,
Ford Nth America is now supplying 5-speed manual transmissions on Focus across the board due to demand..