Vfacts March 2011

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

I'm envisioning a falcon gliding effortlessly through the air, swooping with power and precision, returning to it's tree and nestling the young who peep up out from the nest - then pan down to the highway and we see a G6E crusing quietly and with ease, the driver and his wife looking pleased with themselves, and a couple of little kids sleeping in the back. Close up on the satnav/touchscreen. The curtain airbags. The trip computer which says "Range 900km". Voiceover says "For fifty years, Falcon has been the car of choice for Australian families. Have you driven one lately?"

Any better than the fingers advert?

Wayyy better than the fingers advert. Actually, I've always thought the Falcon has looked like an actual Falcon (the bird) from the XF onwards (except the AU).

[b0son]

Originally Posted by eb2monty

except the AU

which was a dodo

[Windsor220]

The AU was a cockroach or a pasty.

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by b0son

which was a dodo

Funny, that brings back memories of that dark day in 1998 when my friend
turned to the motoring section and started laughing; he said - "that looks like a dodo!". Having said that, gimme a series 2 or 3 XR8 220kw any day.

[ST]

Originally Posted by eb2monty

Wayyy better than the fingers advert. Actually, I've always thought the Falcon has looked like an actual Falcon (the bird) from the XF onwards (except the AU).

This:


Looks like this?

[janddbone]

At least the colours match. Lol!

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by ST

This:


Looks like this?

Well yes. Its the little subtleties. Check out the headlights as they slop towards the grille (beak-like). It gets more pronounced from XF to EA. B Series has that similar slope. Look at an FG, the nose from side on looks very much like a side on view of a Falcon. The grille inserts in a G6E Turbo even have the same textures as the Falcon (bird) above!

[vztrt]

New Zealand vehicle sales get lift off

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25786A0081BDF7

Quake fails to shake NZ market as first-quarter sales jump 14.7 per cent

7 April 2011

By JACQUI MADELIN in NEW ZEALAND

NEW Zealand remains under a state of national emergency after February’s devastating earthquake in Christchurch, but that hasn’t dented new-vehicle sales which at 22,187, are up 14.7 per cent for the first quarter over the same period last year.

New-car registrations rose 12 per cent year to date, with commercials up 24 per cent in part due to Christchurch-driven demand in March.

Used import sales have fallen by 3.8 per cent to 21,279.

Motor Industry Association CEO Perry Kerr said the year’s strong start might still be tempered by the unknown effects of the Christchurch earthquake and the devastation in Japan.

“The industry in Japan is still assessing the consequences of the damage to the numerous component suppliers as well as the effect on production from plant shutdowns,” he said.

Mr Kerr said that stock – which hit an all-time low in April 2010 – has since increased, with distributors now holding three months’ supply.

“However, in all likelihood future supplies of new vehicles from Japan, Thailand and Australia will be affected. This will lead to shortages.”

Mr Kerr said buyers who had done their research were prepared to wait.

Toyota led the NZ market in the first quarter with 4937 sales for 22.5 per cent share, a sales rise of 27.5 per cent on last year.

General manager sales and operations Steve Prangnell sees strong retail demand, greater business confidence, and, moving into April, buyers aiming to avoid earthquake-driven shortages.

Mr Prangnell said the Christchurch quake had so far had a positive effect on sales.

“Between Hyundai and ourselves we’ve benefited from the all of government procurement tender, with Christchurch seeing a lift in demand from infrastructure companies like EQC [Earthquake Commission] and other companies with government contracts,” he said.

“But it’s hard to supply to that as we haven’t forecast it and it’s mainly commercials – EQC wanted Corollas but infrastructure needs light trucks or vans.”

Second-placed Ford’s 2082 sales represent a rise of 10.2 per cent, ahead of Holden on 2006 sales, down 4.3.

Like many brands, Ford has a Christchurch dealer out of action, although it has partially emerged from the reduced cordon around the city’s ‘red zone’ and hopes to reopen on a limited basis next month.

Ford managing director Trevor Auger said: “Being the only [functional] building on the block might be a problem but the dealer’s surprised by how much traffic there’s been – a lot more than expected.”

Mr Auger said dealers were reporting a strong private market late in the month, especially in Auckland.

Fourth-placed Hyundai sold 1742 new vehicles, up 39.8 per cent. Chief operating officer Tom Ruddenklau said government contract business was starting to come through, “though my sense is it’s still not where it will be in terms of overall volume”.

Mr Ruddenklau reported a strong resurgence in private sales.

Mazda sits fifth for the month on 1499 sales, down 7.6 per cent, with Nissan on 1390, up 10.2.

Mazda managing director Andrew Clearwater also noted a return by private buyers and strong sales in Christchurch despite his dealer operating out of temporary facilities. The dealership is inside the red zone, and Mr Clearwater says it could be six months before it is allowed back.

Suzuki, in seventh place, sold 1350 cars (up 10.7 per cent), while Mitsubishi sold 1293 (up 12.3).

Volkswagen had a good quarter on 891 sales, up 40.8, with Honda rounding out the top 10 at 869 sales (up 31.1 per cent).

Honda NZ managing director Graeme Seymour credits Insight and Jazz for the result.

He also reported a strong month from his Christchurch dealer, despite the fact that for part of the month it was inside the cordoned off area.

“The sales are coming from normal business and not as you might suspect replacement cars from the earthquake,” he said.

With vehicles still inside the cordoned-off area, full replacement numbers may not be known for some time.

The returning private buyer benefitted niche brands badly hit by the recession but showing a resurgence in March, with Citroen (81 sales) up 125 per cent for the quarter, Dodge (67) up 76.3 per cent and Volvo (69) up 38 per cent.

Christchurch-driven demand for light commercials underpinned March’s top-sellers, with Toyota HiLux first on 514 registrations, Corolla second on 355, then Suzuki Swift (307), Nissan Navara (270) and Toyota’s Yaris rounding out the top five closely followed by Ford’s Ranger.

NZ top 10 makes March 2011:
Rank Make Sales % Share
1 Toyota 1895 22.9%
2 Ford 698 8.5%
3 Holden 679 8.2%
4 Hyundai 614 7.4%
5 Nissan 582 7.1%
6 Mitsubishi 567 6.9%
7 Mazda 537 6.5%
8 Suzuki 447 5.4%
9 Volkswagen 354 4.3%
10 Honda 341 4.1%

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

I'm envisioning a falcon gliding effortlessly through the air, swooping with power and precision, returning to it's tree and nestling the young who peep up out from the nest - then pan down to the highway and we see a G6E crusing quietly and with ease, the driver and his wife looking pleased with themselves, and a couple of little kids sleeping in the back. Close up on the satnav/touchscreen. The curtain airbags. The trip computer which says "Range 900km". Voiceover says "For fifty years, Falcon has been the car of choice for Australian families. Have you driven one lately?"

Any better than the fingers advert?

Your ad is great. Much better than some of the later Falcon stuff.

For a performance advert. I always hoped when Lowndesy was driving the green eyed monster V8 Supercar, that they could start with an animated perigrine Falcon, zoom into the face, the eyes would turn an evil green, you hear the screech of attack which morphs into a V8 supercar noise. The eyes close. Interrupting the noise, not unlike a gearchange. Screen goes black. Noise blares again as the roadgoing car bursts from the screen. Ends with the cue of Falcon: Wild spirit lives on.

[Benjamin Smith]

Wow these adverts sound awesome, like the idea of using the bird in the adverts. Maybe they could have something like sound of falcon bird squawking have voice over say the falcon has a meanising attack sound, go black, so does this one, play sound of v8. Ford need aggressive adverts again.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by eb2monty

Correct. When my friend was looking at Government auctions, he didn't even consider a Falcon. When he was interstate, his hire car was an FG XR6. Said it was a fantastic drive and was really surprised and IMPRESSED. It was too late though because he already bought a 380. It was really interesting, and I think it reflected Joe public's view, in that he was deciding between a 380, VE and a Camry. No Falcon. THIS IS THE PROBLEM, FORD! ARE YOU LISTENING? PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT THE FALCON. IT'S YOUR JOB TO CHANGE THE PUBLIC'S MINDSET. GET DOWN AND DIRTY. KICK YOUR MARKETING TEAM IN THE *** AND OVERHAUL YOUR APPROACH OTHERWISE FORD AUSTRALIA WILL BE IMPORT ONLY. TALK ABOUT 'QUALITY CONTROL' IN YOUR ADDS, BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF HEARING 'BUT IT'S A FORD' FROM PEOPLE. BRING BACK 'BUILT FORD TOUGH' SLOGANS. HELL, BRING BACK 'HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD...LATELY?' WITH THAT NOSTALGIC 90'S JINGLE. SHAKE IT UP OR SHIP IT OUT.


Ahhh....now I feel better

Ford can talk about quality control monty, but I would much rather they practiced it. That and a complete refusal by Ford to recall a car for anything or be proactive in fixing problems before owners or journalists make enough of a stink in the media to get Ford to do something, means they simply aren't' serious about quality. Many people got burn't in the past and many people haven't forgotten. Eventually your product gets a bad name. FG has been paying the price for the B series issues and the new Terri will pay the price in lost sales too for Fords failure to look after Territory owners properly. These lost sales and the reputation that goes with it are of Fords own making.

Save a dollar today and loose two dollars tomorrow, but hell I won't be here when that happens. That has always been the thinking and practice of Ford Australia management.

Dan

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Save a dollar today and loose two dollars tomorrow, but hell I won't be here when that happens. That has always been the thinking and practice of Ford Australia management.

Dan

That's Ford's thinking and practice worldwide. Who could forget that heart-warming humanity they displayed over the deadly Pinto fuel tank or the dodgy Firestones on the early Explorers? Never mind if people die or get horrifically injured, it's cheaper to pay out their lawsuits than recall the cars and fix the problem...

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Ford can talk about quality control monty, but I would much rather they practiced it. That and a complete refusal by Ford to recall a car for anything or be proactive in fixing problems before owners or journalists make enough of a stink in the media to get Ford to do something, means they simply aren't' serious about quality. Many people got burn't in the past and many people haven't forgotten. Eventually your product gets a bad name. FG has been paying the price for the B series issues and the new Terri will pay the price in lost sales too for Fords failure to look after Territory owners properly. These lost sales and the reputation that goes with it are of Fords own making.

Save a dollar today and loose two dollars tomorrow, but hell I won't be here when that happens. That has always been the thinking and practice of Ford Australia management.

Dan

I'm afraid you're spot on

[Falcman0o7]

Originally Posted by Brazen

I am still stunned that Holden can be selling these many Commodores for a car which is effectively 5 years old. And it has no LPG in the wagon.

Commodore really should be selling as many as Falcon.

It's the badge and nothing more...

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Falcman0o7

It's the badge and nothing more...

yep, if the same cars had the opposite badging, the sales would also be opposite. for whatever reason, thats the way it is in australia.

kangaroo's, meat pies, football and holden cars....

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by prydey

yep, if the same cars had the opposite badging, the sales would also be opposite. for whatever reason, thats the way it is in australia.

kangaroo's, meat pies, football and holden cars....

Holden know how to sell a car VERY well. Their marketing is pretty good, and what's more, its persistent. None of this crap like Ford pulls when they will run a good ad for like a week and then you'll never see it again. Although I will say the Fiesta ads are pretty persistent so maybe that has changed.

The other thing is, the VE is not the horrid ugly steaming pile of poo that many would have you believe. Sure the FG beats it in a lot of areas, but it is still a decent car and combined with better than decent (and comprehensive) marketing campaigns, its little wonder they are selling as well as they are in the current climate.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Holden know how to sell a car VERY well. Their marketing is pretty good, and what's more, its persistent. None of this crap like Ford pulls when they will run a good ad for like a week and then you'll never see it again. Although I will say the Fiesta ads are pretty persistent so maybe that has changed.

The other thing is, the VE is not the horrid ugly steaming pile of poo that many would have you believe. Sure the FG beats it in a lot of areas, but it is still a decent car and combined with better than decent (and comprehensive) marketing campaigns, its little wonder they are selling as well as they are in the current climate.

is there any link between tv ads and actual sales? i think we all assume that tv advertising = sales, but i don't know many people that bought a car because they saw an ad on tv. sure, i agree, holden seem to have a lot more ads and some of them are quite well done, but if i said that was the reason for commodore outselling falcon, it would be a 100% guess and assumption.

i guess its about exposure in the end, so no doubt it probably does have some effect. i wonder if holden have some sort of survey when people buy cars, so that they can establish what medium attracted the buyer.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by prydey

is there any link between tv ads and actual sales? i think we all assume that tv advertising = sales, but i don't know many people that bought a car because they saw an ad on tv. sure, i agree, holden seem to have a lot more ads and some of them are quite well done, but if i said that was the reason for commodore outselling falcon, it would be a 100% guess and assumption.

i guess its about exposure in the end, so no doubt it probably does have some effect. i wonder if holden have some sort of survey when people buy cars, so that they can establish what medium attracted the buyer.

It's about brand image,,,,,

How many of your friends are interested in buying a Ford. Especially a Falcon ?

What's the "Goss" around the BBQ ?

My experience is that Ford's are on the nose.....

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by prydey

i guess its about exposure in the end

And there it is. Nobody (apart from most of us on FF lol) thinks about cars all the time. But those who are thinking about buying a car invariably remember the product exposes itself the best to the consumer. Accordingly the little light goes on inside the mind about that product when the buyer is actually ready to get off their backside and do the deal.

[prydey]

to try to relate it to my life, if i'm looking to buy a digi camera, i generally research it myself, even though ads like fuji finepix are embedded in my brain from their annoying ads. same with tv's or most other things i see advertised on tv that i am in the market for.

as said, we are car people, so its hard to try to 'guess' how non car people may think. i'm not convinced its all about tv advertising though.

[Road_Warrior]

No it's not all about TV advertising, but it is an important part of a marketing campaign.

And the camera analogy you gave is pretty much spot on to how a non-car person would look at it.

[jpd80]

The other thing we should keep in mind is just how little profit Ford seems to make even with
local manufacturing, in 2009 they barely scraped $16 million profit out of $2.2 billion in revenue.
Either there's some serious profit transfer going on or the whole Falcon/Territory
program would seem to be under water by a long way....

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by prydey

yep, if the same cars had the opposite badging, the sales would also be opposite. for whatever reason, thats the way it is in australia.

kangaroo's, meat pies, football and holden cars....

Hasn't always been like that though. Falcon was number 1 for much of the 80s and at times through the 90s.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by au2000

again, i can't say for certian, but holden has offered a large discount to gov departments in vic for commodores, we normally have hybrid toyotas & lpg falcons, this time they have scrubbed the lpg falcon for a lpg commodore, when asked why to the supreme bean counter , it was all about purchase price & nothing more.... like ive said before, every sedan & divi van in vic is a commodore, so if my dept which buys less cars per year than vicpol is buying commodores at a discount, imagine how many more of those 4000 plus commodores across australia are being purchased for gov duties?....

But how much of a return does Holden get for parts and servicing from those few thousand extra vehicles they are selling?

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

But how much of a return does Holden get for parts and servicing from those few thousand extra vehicles they are selling?

the dealer network will get coin for service..
holden wont, if anything cost on warranty item's..
as the cars are auctioned with in the 3yrs period.

but to move stock keep the line going readying for the next model..

[Bent8]

Call it a hunch but I think the current global economy might have something to do with the spate of poor car sales at the moment.

And I hate to say this but it's only going to get worse, people are tightening the belt, making do with what they have.

Factor in the cost of an average tank of fuel ($100+) and it all makes sense.

It's not Ford's marketing or lack thereof, it's not poor product either...people don't have as much spare cash as they did before the Nov 2008 GFC.

Also, for those stock market gurus, the AUD is not getting stronger, the US dollar is practically finished, and when oil is pegged in USD, that's not a good sign at all!

[jpd80]

In spite of the poor showing by Falcon and territory, Ford actually has had
a significant sales increase over same time last year thanks to the surge in
Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, Escape and Ranger sales.
This is actually good news and says that Ford's sales are much more healthy
than previously anticipated, it looks like buyers are becoming switched on to
smaller more fuel efficient Fords, good to see....

[bobthebilda]

Vfacts have just released local car production numbers for March 2010.

A total of 18295 vehicles were produced locally. With 10,838 of those being bought locally, it either equates to roughly 7400 being exported, or some being stored.

Even giving Toyota 6000 of those exports, and adding to their 2400 local sales, Its clear the high australian dollar is making things a bit hard for Toyota's local manufacturing.

[Joe5619]

Also noticed a new TV add last night for XR6 down to 35K driveout.. Should help for Aprils number.. But please Ford, no less than 35K drive away please!!

[stevz]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Also noticed a new TV add last night for XR6 down to 35K driveout.. Should help for Aprils number.. But please Ford, no less than 35K drive away please!!

They are still using that gay music in their ads which makes me cringe every time I hear it.