Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Smith
I think if 5 star crash ratings are achieved (no reason why they cannot) and power levels offered matching Ranger and Hilux then the tide will turn more quickly. Actually I'm surprised they haven't already tried to hit the 150+kw diesel power level to really get stuck into the market leading brands. Maybe the fact the Chinese home market favours petrol has slowed this from occurring.
And lets be very frank...as good as Ranger and Hilux are the products are overpriced. The fact most Japanese brands and Ford charge more is because the market has paid the money. When the Chinese brands offer more for less and if their image of being "inferior" is disproven it will be interesting to see what the market will do.
I wonder if a Chinese built Ford is of lessor quality than a North American built Ford or a EU built Ford? Of course if they all used the same component spec/trim quality level and assembly QC was identical it should make no difference what the "Made in XXXXX" stamp says.
Some of us are old enough to remember where Japanese products, not just cars, sat image wise in their early days.
|
Agreed, and now they're sending production to the old GM plant in Thailand they will be even less 'Chinese'.
Sure they'll still have componants made in China but so do many mainstream products.
The Chinese will get it right, just like the US defence strategy, they'll throw weight of numbers at it until they succeed and will value market share through lower price point over profit margin to achieve it and the encumbents are worried no matter how brave a face they show outwardly.
The concern for local Ford fans should be how well the next 'Americanised' styled Ranger is received, it could easily be another AU Falcon episode where it is as robust as could be but considered unappealing to look at.
I may be biased with recent developments but i consider the PX2 look to be the sweet spot for Ranger styling which the new one will move well away from.