2016 - Year in review

[russellw]

2016 can only go down in the annals of Ford Australia as the year of mixed emotions for anyone who feels any passion for the brand and what it has represented in this country.

We lost an icon in the final Falcon production after 54 years but (equally tragically), we also lost the brilliant EcoLPi version of the Falcon and arguably the best of the crossover SUV's in the Territory. Both will be difficult to replace not only as vehicles but in the hearts of many as well. For those of us who grew up with the Ford and Holden (or even Chrysler) products of the 60's, 70's and beyond, it's a particularly poignant times as these vehicles represented cheap, robust (and even primitive) freedom for generations of young people at a time when the only other options consisted of British and American imports. They transformed this country in ways that it is hard to comprehend even from this time point and they are an inseparable part of what formed our social fabric.
Times have changed, however, and the 'big car' for a 'big country' that the Falcon and Kingswood (or even Commodore) represented so well, are no longer what middle Australia wants or even needs. Mind you, that isn't to say they need pseudo (increasingly smaller) SUV's or (increasingly larger) crew cab utes either but those are what they are buying and in unprecedented numbers.

On the plus side, the Ranger has cemented a place as a top two (and occasionally top) contender in the 4x4 Ute segment; Mustang has been a sales success and has outsold the Falcon for most of the year and Ford sales overall are up more than 16.7% to the end of November in a market that has only grown by ~1.8% this year and in a year when former arch-rival Holden dropped almost 8% in sales.

Mondeo, Fiesta and Focus all continue to do not much in their respective segments and neither do Kuga and Ecosport although the latter pair have been showing small improvements in the latter half of 2016.

Everest has proven to be another also ran, with full year volumes a tenth those of the (sliding) Territory.

The year ahead should be interesting with both Commodore and local Camry production ceasing so that we end up an all-import market.

Cheers
Russ

[Mechan1k]

End of an era really for FoA
At least we are still involved in the R&D part of Ford's Global Operations.

[GO FURTHER]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

End of an era really for FoA

I often wonder how AFF will fair in the years ahead, with the Falcon primarily responsible for its popularity over the years?... Also with the Territory gone as well.

Will membership decline?
Will posts decline?

I can't see the newer generation of buyers of Mondeo, Fiesta and Focus doing much modding, their own service / repairs or asking as many questions on these forums.

Maybe the Ranger and Mustang will fill the void?

Interesting to see how AFF will evolve with the new releases from FOA in the future?

[Express]

Originally Posted by BAXRSIX

I often wonder how AFF will fair in the years ahead, with the Falcon primarily responsible for its popularity over the years?... Also with the Territory gone as well.

Will membership decline?
Will posts decline?

I can't see the newer generation of buyers of Mondeo, Fiesta and Focus doing much modding, their own service / repairs or asking as many questions on these forums.

Maybe the Ranger and Mustang will fill the void?

Interesting to see how AFF will evolve with the new releases from FOA in the future?

Even if only imports are available there will still be people who are proud of their new cars and seek out forums to discuss them.

Car enthusiasts young and old will still be talking about, showing and repairing their older models.

Members will still be interested in car related posts and the world in general.

The forum won’t die out while Fords still exist in garages and apart for some of the latest base models I can’t really see the cars disappearing out of circulation and into the boneyard like in the past when the owners knew there were replacements on the way.

And if the new import Commodore is as ugly as it appears it may be then all the more reason to be here having a dig at Holden.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by Express

Car enthusiasts young and old will still be talking about, showing and repairing their older models.

.

True members talk about there love of 20, 30 and 40 year old Fords as much as those who have newer models.
We are here because we follow the oval.

[OzJavelin]

There will still be a lot of people on here talking about their Falcons, Fairlanes, LTDs, Territorys for a lot of years .. a lot will still be on the road .. takes a lot to kill an Aussie Ford.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by BAXRSIX

I can't see the newer generation of buyers of Mondeo, Fiesta and Focus doing much modding, their own service / repairs or asking as many questions on these forums.

Its been going on for many years having been around the small euro fords for a few years now. They just arent as mainstream as falcons. Venture into other parts of the forum and you will see. But most of it is on FB pages etc. But does happen and in bigger quantities than you think. But a decent portion of falcon owners shun them because wrong way drive white good.

[EB#]

Anybody know what the total sales figure for Falcons was in 2016? (Have been scoping around for the info, but can't seem to track it down).

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by EB#

Anybody know what the total sales figure for Falcons was in 2016? (Have been scoping around for the info, but can't seem to track it down).

Check out this thread in the Statistics section https://fordforums.com.au/vbportal/v...articleid=1648. Scroll down to the Large Segment heading and the stats are there. Falcon appears to have sold 4,434 units at a quick glance.