The Falcon must change!

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

If Ford and Holden start producing mid sized and large cars off the same platform,
the Asian Mid sized brigade would really struggle against locally developed cars..

Maybe this should be the aim of Ford and Holden for their next product cycles,
cover two important and profitable segments with locally developed vehicles.

If Falcon used a longer wheelbase, the change up/down in vehicle size could be made easier
by using common cabin and changing nose/tail lengths and moving rear seat position about...

All this chopping and changing of cars overlooks a couple key problems. The same dealer network is selling them and the same corporate culture at Ford Aust is supprting them. Game over.

Until those change nothing is moving Ford up the sales charts.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

All this chopping and changing of cars overlooks a couple key problems. The same dealer network is selling them and the same corporate culture at Ford Aust is supprting them. Game over.

Until those change nothing is moving Ford up the sales charts.

Spot on there, and what's more, the mid size sector is much more competitive than the large sector. Just because Ford would make a RWD mid sizer does not make it a given that it will outsell its Asian rivals which would be better built and better backed, to use the term of Mitsubishi.

[T-Pak Addict]

I live in the burbs and while I couldnt afford to buy a new car, I refuse to buy a 4 cylinder. I hate front wheel drives with a passion that is not equalled. What do I drive?? A BA Egas, While not the most powerful car in the world, I can still work on the car without swearing too much, it costs the same as a 4 cylinder to run, it has plenty of room to chuck the kids in and enough room to chuck some gear in the boot.

Yes I love my car, great for trips or tooling around town. It has all the features I need... Please dont change a thing!!!

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

All this chopping and changing of cars overlooks a couple key problems. The same dealer network is selling them and the same corporate culture at Ford Aust is supprting them. Game over.

Until those change nothing is moving Ford up the sales charts.

You mean the fact that they are selling more cars to private buyers then before is the fault of the dealer network??

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Spot on there, and what's more, the mid size sector is much more competitive than the large sector. Just because Ford would make a RWD mid sizer does not make it a given that it will outsell its Asian rivals which would be better built and better backed, to use the term of Mitsubishi.

Something just dawned on me, maybe the I-4 Ecoboost Falcon is our mid sizer.
If so, maybe its job is to change people's perception.......

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by vztrt

You mean the fact that they are selling more cars to private buyers then before is the fault of the dealer network??

The percentages are more. I dont know if the figures are there to support if the actual number of private buyers has gone up though.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

The percentages are more. I dont know if the figures are there to support if the actual number of private buyers has gone up though.

The fact that the budget XT Falcon now gets built on request speaks volumes.
Until about 18 months ago, it used to be the majority of Falcon sales with a 60/40 split ....

[JC807]

Originally Posted by mik

it looks to me like an equal lexus is quite a bit more expensive at $126,900.00 unless its a poverty pack lexus? back it up with some facts and figures if your gonna make a statement like that.
i left out the drive away price is $137000.

doesn't need to be equivalent model. base model BMW/Merc/Lexus still seen by most as a better "status statement" to be driving than a top model Caprice/Fairlane kind of car.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

All this chopping and changing of cars overlooks a couple key problems. The same dealer network is selling them and the same corporate culture at Ford Aust is supprting them. Game over.

Until those change nothing is moving Ford up the sales charts.

I'm sick to death of this kind of comment. Have you bought a new Ford lately?? As a 30 year old man who just bought his first brand new Ford (XR6T : ) in November last year, I personally could not be happier with the Ford dealer network. Every single area of my new car buying experience from Ford has been great!! The only complaint I have is I'm actually starting to get sick of them calling & sending surveys to see if I was happy!!

Try buying a new Ford & see how good the network actually is in the year 2010!! Sometimes I think Ford fans are Fords biggest problems

[4.0i_SiX]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The fact that the budget XT Falcon now gets built on request speaks volumes.
Until about 18 months ago, it used to be the majority of Falcon sales with a 60/40 split ....

I dunno really, it just seems that the XR6 is the new work hack. they might as well can the XT IMO

XR6 is the new base model

[Bossxr8]

Therein lies the problem, people who have had bad experiences in the past will not go back. Thats why you don't give them bad experiences in the first place. Some dealers may have learnt that but others seem to not care.

[Paxton]

It can't be all bad for Falcon - it seems Broadmeadows have had to go back to a six day week. Any insiders care to confirm this?

[Fordman1]

I hear Broadmeadows lost 2 days in March due to the AC vendor problem.

They'll be working a couple of Saturdays to pick that volume up.

The next 12 months are crucial to Falcon..

Lets hope there are a lot of Saturday's to follow....

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by 4.0i_SiX

I dunno really, it just seems that the XR6 is the new work hack. they might as well can the XT IMO

XR6 is the new base model

Or a G6 LE for that matter.....


and to think we used to look forward to the XT SR pack.....

[4.0i_SiX]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Or a G6 LE for that matter.....


and to think we used to look forward to the XT SR pack.....

Well yeah thats true, will they only be a limited run though? At least it gives the falcon a better image on the road though. No XT's running around with missing hubcaps

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

I hear Broadmeadows lost 2 days in March due to the AC vendor problem.

They'll be working a couple of Saturdays to pick that volume up.

The next 12 months are crucial to Falcon..

Lets hope there are a lot of Saturday's to follow....

It was more than two days, but this could explain a bit of the overtime. They were going gang busters just before Christmas.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by 4.0i_SiX

I dunno really, it just seems that the XR6 is the new work hack. they might as well can the XT IMO

XR6 is the new base model

I think this is pretty accurate. Look at the Falcon fleet in any car hire company at a city airport - it will be almost entirely XR6's. Was certainly the case when I hired one in Brisbane in December, the Avis car park was XR6 central.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I think this is pretty accurate. Look at the Falcon fleet in any car hire company at a city airport - it will be almost entirely XR6's. Was certainly the case when I hired one in Brisbane in December, the Avis car park was XR6 central.

Better resale for the hire companies as well. Funny you mention Avis, weren't they exclusively Holden for large cars until very recently?

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Better resale for the hire companies as well. Funny you mention Avis, weren't they exclusively Holden for large cars until very recently?

I don't know. As I said, when I went to collect my hire car, their carpark was XR6 central. But of course they had Holdens as well but only VE Omegas.

Better resale perhaps - but you've got to wonder about the bottom line for Ford given they would be a bulk fleet purchase and attract the rudimentary fleet pricing. Which kind of renders the 'rich model mix' argument somewhat impotent as the profits of a private sale on those higher-end cars quite clearly aren't there, at least in the rental car park.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Paxton

It can't be all bad for Falcon - it seems Broadmeadows have had to go back to a six day week. Any insiders care to confirm this?

1 or 2 Saturdays a month.

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

1 or 2 Saturdays a month.

For you, as well? Is this every month?

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

1 or 2 Saturdays a month.

Short term ....

It'll be interesting to see what happens in Qtr 2 and 3

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

Short term ....

It'll be interesting to see what happens in Qtr 2 and 3

What are you letting on?

Are you expecting an upshift, or down shift in sales?

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Paxton

What are you letting on?

Are you expecting an upshift, or down shift in sales?

No idea my contacts aren't letting on..

any insiders know ?

[Road_Warrior]

2nd quarter is when the FG update is due, no? Join the dots. They must be planning an increase in production capacity to meet the anticipated demand for the new product.

There must be some rather cool improvements/changes to the car to give Ford that sort of confidence.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

2nd quarter is when the FG update is due, no? Join the dots. They must be planning an increase in production capacity to meet the anticipated demand for the new product.

There must be some rather cool improvements/changes to the car to give Ford that sort of confidence.

Lets hope so...

Hyundai are now No 3 aren't they ??

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Paxton

For you, as well? Is this every month?

Yes and yes.

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Yes and yes.

Interesting. This is good news then.

[jpd80]

Shame the EB I-4 won't be available at FG II launch, that the kind of
fleet sales exposure would put Falcon out there in front of customers....

[Road_Warrior]

Do we actually know whether FGII is actually going to be FGII (ie a Mk II update) or a new model a-la BA to BF?