FORD Won't Introduce Luxury Models to Australia.

[csv8]

"The blue oval will remain a blue-collar brand in Australia, ignoring a push to gentrify Ford in Europe.

The carmaker is looking to cash in on more profitable premium segments in Europe with a new Vingale sub-brand that adds luxurious extras like quilted leather seats to cars such as the new Mondeo.

It unveiled its vision for a Vingale Lounge at the Paris motor show, a contemporary showroom defined by soft-touch leather chairs and tailored services led by a personal "relationship manager".

Roelant de Waard, vice president of marketing, sales and service for Ford Europe, says the lounge could change the way people think perceive Ford, by offering "a quiet and luxurious environment, furnished with high quality materials".
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"The Vignale Lounge ensures that from the moment a Vignale customer first steps into the dealership they are immersed in a world that complements perfectly our new Vignale model range," he says.

The lounge areas will be separate from Ford's regular sales floors.

The treatment also includes a free monthly car wash and a valet service for planned maintenance.

Ford's branded merchandise arm has been bolstered by the new Vingale collection, featuring silk scarves and ties or handbags to match a car's leather trim.

But Ford Australia isn't interested in taking on established luxury brands.

Company spokesman Neil McDonald says the Vingale treatment is not likely to appear locally as the manufacturer has no plans to sell luxuriously appointed models in Australia.

McDonald says the Vingale Lounge will also remain on the sidelines.

Instead, Ford will work to spruce up its sales arm with a range of strategies that include concierge staff in dealerships, intuitive tablets loaded with information on the sales floor, online service scheduling and increased personalisation options.

"We're working to build our customer relations as we transition to becoming a full-line importer in Australia," McDonald says.

"We've commenced a raft of new initiatives to improve our customer relationship and dealer experience.

"We're concentrating on that in the short term."
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/f...03-10przm.html

[chevypower]

If only Ford would get serious about Lincoln.

[pearlhead]

[fgpsi]

Originally Posted by chevypower

If only Ford would get serious about Lincoln.

Lincoln have looked like crap for a while now but I did see a lwb fusion spy pic that is apparently going to be a lincoln and it looked the ducks guts

[au2000]

Just came back from the states, I've gotta say thee new Lincoln looks better in the flesh

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by au2000

Just came back from the states, I've gotta say thee new Lincoln looks better in the flesh

I have to agree, the new MKZ looks alright.

[LeadFoot81]

Disappointing, but a wise move. Ford Oz have enough to worry about at the moment.

[Franco Cozzo]

Those Vignale seats look like those gay V-neck jumpers with diamond patterns that golfers wear.

[Bobman]

Doesn't matter, most intelligent folks will move to European makes after Falcon, instead of poor quality American-made Fords.

[fgpsi]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Doesn't matter, most intelligent folks will move to European makes after Falcon, instead of poor quality American-made Fords.

Build quality is probably better than FoA these days

[Nikked]

Is a "luxury" car really needed when the specs of cars are getting higher? Leather and electronic gizmos are enough to keep people happy.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Is a "luxury" car really needed when the specs of cars are getting higher? Leather and electronic gizmos are enough to keep people happy.

Luxury to me denotes a certain level of quality over and above the high end spec cars. It's more than just the equipment list, it's also the use of top quality high end equipment, fron the quality of the leather to fit and finish.

I think it's disappointing that Vignale isn't coming.

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Doesn't matter, most intelligent folks will move to European makes after Falcon, instead of poor quality American-made Fords.

Yup, Buyers of upper spec fords(Falcons) will move to euro and bargan hunters, who mostly have already moved on will go bargain brands. I do think once the locals are gone Ford will be in trouble.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Doesn't matter, most intelligent folks will move to European makes after Falcon, instead of poor quality American-made Fords.

Ford Australia will sell more European cars than American cars post Falcon.

All of the Ford range except Ranger, Edge and Mustang will have either been designed, engineered or built in Europe.

Originally Posted by mr smith

Yup, Buyers of upper spec fords(Falcons) will move to euro and bargan hunters, who mostly have already moved on will go bargain brands. I do think once the locals are gone Ford will be in trouble.

I do not agree that Falcon is in any way an "upper spec Ford". The next Mondeo Titanium will make the G6E look like a poverty pack based on the spec sheet alone.

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by chevypower

If only Ford would get serious about Lincoln.

They're investing $2B. I hope that means they can offer a RWD car.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

They're investing $2B. I hope that means they can offer a RWD car.

Good idea...just about 10 years to late

[mik]

I would not like to be a car maker these days, competition is cut throat , how much money would you have to spend to compete with what's on offer, and after you've spent all that money you hope to get a return for all your efforts.
It's a tuff gig.

[csv8]

Opel back in 2015 and SEAT 2016..too many cars in our market for the population..

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Good idea...just about 10 years to late

Yes it is late, but it's never too late.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

They're investing $2B. I hope that means they can offer a RWD car.

From what I can gather, most of the investment is relation to pushing Lincoln into the Chinese market.

[Dave R]

Ford already has a very good image in Europe, but down here they are the Falcon motor company to many- I really don't think they could pull off a luxury unit with the way people currently perceive the brand. Maybe down the track.

[Stefan]

Fairlane/LTD wasn't selling, Falcon is not selling. Why in gods name does someone think a Lincoln would sell.

[Vesper Martini]

People are going to have to realise if they want a RWD car they will need to look at a sports car like the Mustang or a BMW Merc etc.
There will be no RWD replacement for the Falcon you are the minority

[danzvtil]

Ford in Australia don't need another niche, low volume product line (hello Falcon and Territory!)
They are a mass producer of vehicles and must have cars in EVERY growth and volume segment:
Fiesta TICK
Ecosport TICK
Focus TICK
New Mondeo TICK
Kuga TICK
Tezz Replacement TICK
Ranger TICK
Large RWD LUXO cars BZZZZZZT.
The future looks bright for Ford AU as an importer.

[damo76]

Too much chinese crap here. Oh and people buying the chinese crap.

[Andrew S]

This is all probably my fault for visiting my local Dealership in T-shirt shorts and thongs.
Im sorry, I'll try to locate a shirt and tie......

[blackf6]

Originally Posted by Andrew S

This is all probably my fault for visiting my local Dealership in T-shirt shorts and thongs.
Im sorry, I'll try to locate a shirt and tie......

PPFFFTT. That's how we all go out. I drive my GT barefoot. Must be a bogan.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Those Vignale seats look like those gay V-neck jumpers with diamond patterns that golfers wear.

yeah but those gay diamond pattern v neck jumpers are warm in winter ...... so im told

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Fairlane/LTD wasn't selling, Falcon is not selling. Why in gods name does someone think a Lincoln would sell.

I believe the market for RWD sedans with powerful engines has gone upscale. The people who buy mainstream brands like Ford want value not only in purchase price, but it has to meet all economic needs, such as fuel costs. This market also cares more about technology features, than which set of wheels are being driven. In essence, if Lincoln has the right products, they will sell more of them at a higher price than Ford would sell large 6 cylinder RWD cars at a lower price. The right products would be comparable to the Jag XE, XF, and XJ, and Cadillac ATS, CTS, CT6 etc. A long wheelbase RWD with a hood ornament isn't going to cut it, nor is a rebadged Ford.

[hedgehobb]

Normal = leather seats.
Luxury = leather seats... with cross stitching.