Are the Lights still on at Ford Australia?

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Yep, starting up New Ecosport production for Export markets around the world
l

ah, the one that didn't sell anywhere in the world first time around? talk about flogging a dead horse

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by prydey

I guess some don't like accepting they are in a minority group. The thread is about ford supposedly having the lights off because they don't provide all things to all people.

I'm just pointing out, the attributes that regularly get trotted out on this forum by the anti Thailand crowd are clearly not an issue for those buying the cars.

Same rhetoric happens in all threads like this one.
I have no interest in any new ford apart from a raptor, it probably suits my needs more than my XR6T to be honest.
Quick.
Looks good.
Bike in the back.
Can access areas for bike riding that my XR6T cant.

I love reading the hate for Rangers/Everest. Most that slag em off probably wouldnt buy a new Ford even if it suited their needs.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by prydey

I guess some don't like accepting they are in a minority group. The thread is about ford supposedly having the lights off because they don't provide all things to all people.

I'm just pointing out, the attributes that regularly get trotted out on this forum by the anti Thailand crowd are clearly not an issue for those buying the cars.

Oh, I agree with you, I've never claimed I'm not in the minority.

However, on this forum we're supposedly a group of car enthusiasts, not sure if you'd get the Toyota Crown group with their 1JZGTE/1UZFE cars on Facebook extolling the virtues of how great the Toyota Hilux is.

Franco: Hey man the Ranger stops, steers and handles like a boat, and Ford offers nothing for those like me who enjoy driving that stops, steers and handles better than the Sun Princess docked in Sydney Harbour.

prydey:



We're just two people on opposite ends of the spectrum,

Subaru makes cars for Lesbians, but they still have the WRX,

Hyundai has the N series cars,

Toyota makes park benches on wheels, and they have the GR Yaris, GR Corolla and the 86.

Ford has the Ranger and the Everest.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by prydey

When you go to your supermarket and look at the soft drink aisle, the cheap brands offer every flavour you can imagine.
Coke sticks to their 3 or 4 main products. They occasionally bring a flavoured Coke but generally only in limited supply.
There are many other companies that don't feel the need to compete in every segment or try to be all things to all people.

So in your mind Ford Australia is Coke, and Toyota is a cheap brand of soft drink?
(Notwithstanding that you're completely wrong about Coke anyway.)

Originally Posted by prydey

Just because they sell it in other markets doesn't mean they are obliged to sell it here.

So when Ford already has a product, that you concede would sell well here, failure by FoA to offer that product, is in your view sound business practice??

Originally Posted by prydey

If they don't sell something you like, buy something else. Very simple.

Wow, that's so profound. Did you get that from a fortune cookie?

[Franco Cozzo]

If you look at Toyota, they're the white goods manufacturing king, loved by stale old men and uber driving types.

Company officials expect buyers will be slightly older than their mid-30s, the age of a typical 86 buyer. "There is a large population of youth that does have money to afford these cars," said Carter. "Where I think the opportunity exists is with European intenders."

Carter says that the Supra's interest among younger buyers is a sign that Toyota's aim of producing vehicles that are more fun to drive is resonating with consumers.

"That's a real unique thing with this brand and with Akio," said Pruett. "Having that guy at the head of Toyota and Lexus, and having that amount of passion in cars and for the brand, is an exciting thing that's unique."

Certainly it was hard to miss Toyoda's enthusiasm earlier this week.

"Today, the legend has returned," he said, beaming like a proud parent just before the new model's unveiling. "Supra is back, better than ever."

The 66-year-old CEO of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, has resigned, citing his age as a barrier to understanding the sentiments of younger consumers. Despite his successful tenure, which saw Toyota's transformation into a more adventurous brand appealing to younger demographics, Toyoda believes it's time for a younger management team to take over. His replacement, Koji Sato, comes from within the company and shares Toyoda's passion for cars and commitment to Toyota's engineering-driven philosophy. Under Toyoda's leadership, Toyota prioritized quality materials and precision engineering, setting it apart from other car companies and ensuring the durability and reliability of its vehicles.

Toyota realises it needs to get customers at a younger demographic to keep customers involved in the brand,

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

So in your mind Ford Australia is Coke, and Toyota is a cheap brand of soft drink?
(Notwithstanding that you're completely wrong about Coke anyway.)

I'm just pointing out that every brand doesn't have to be all things to all people.

Ford have remained in the top 5 manufacturers in this country since forever even when many predict their demise.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Oh, I agree with you, I've never claimed I'm not in the minority.

However, on this forum we're supposedly a group of car enthusiasts, not sure if you'd get the Toyota Crown group with their 1JZGTE/1UZFE cars on Facebook extolling the virtues of how great the Toyota Hilux is.

Franco: Hey man the Ranger stops, steers and handles like a boat, and Ford offers nothing for those like me who enjoy driving that stops, steers and handles better than the Sun Princess docked in Sydney Harbour.

prydey:

image

Subaru makes cars for Lesbians, but they still have the WRX,

Hyundai has the N series cars,

Toyota makes park benches on wheels, and they have the GR Yaris and GR Corolla

Ford has the Ranger and the Everest.

Would you honestly put ya money where ya mouth is and buy a new Ford if they made one that suited you?
Have you personally purchased a new Ford?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Would you honestly put ya money where ya mouth is and buy a new Ford if they made one that suited you?
Have you personally purchased a new Ford?

Sure, both my new car purchases have been Ford so why wouldn't I?

I bought my first new Ford when I was 17, I didn't even have a drivers licence and I had a new Ford in the driveway, oh and I paid for it with cash, not on finance, you know, so it was actually my car, not the banks.

What does Ford Australia offer to someone who was in my position as a 17 year old to get them into the brand?

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Sure, both my new car purchases have been Ford so why wouldn't I?

I bought my first new Ford when I was 17, I didn't even have a drivers licence and I had a new Ford in the driveway, oh and I paid for it with cash, not on finance, you know, so it was actually my car, not the banks.

What does Ford Australia offer to someone who was in my position as a 17 year old to get them into the brand?

Fair play.
I didnt ask for the cash payment flex. Means nothing in this thread.
Different mindsets i guess.
But i dont feel the need to slag off the rest of what they have either.
Each to their own.
Id love to see some of the folks laying it on Ford for their offerings, step into the shoes of the folks that make the big decisions and see how long they last.
I by no means are sticking up for Ford at all. But there are folks making the big decisions with a lot more knowledge than i have, and most here also.

Simple, if you dont like what they have. By something else. We did that ourselves.

[roKWiz]

Lets face it, they are a pretty lame manufacturer these days.

They had a perfectly successful medium - heavy truck market ticking along nicely years ago and just gave it all away to the other manufacturers.

[Crazy Dazz]

Ford is NOT offering what the market wants. That's the point.

Even globally, Ford is failing, and Ford Australia just compounds the issue.

Even Mitsubishi, a company that went tits up and is restricted to selling refaced Nissans, is able to offer a range of vehicles.

Companies as diverse as Kia, MG, Audi and Skoda, are showing that globally there is still demand for conventional Sedans.
Hatchbacks, in all shapes and sizes, are still selling well.
City SUVs ARE where the market is at nowadays. Everything from the Ignis to the F-Pace, and yet all FoA can offer is an enclosed Ranger.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Fair play.
I didnt ask for the cash payment flex. Means nothing in this thread.
Different mindsets i guess.
But i dont feel the need to slag off the rest of what they have either.
Each to their own.
Id love to see some of the folks laying it on Ford for their offerings, step into the shoes of the folks that make the big decisions and see how long they last.
I by no means are sticking up for Ford at all. But there are folks making the big decisions with a lot more knowledge than i have, and most here also.

Simple, if you dont like what they have. By something else. We did that ourselves.

It just hurts me from a sales background to see Ford Australia giving up share on the board, sure they're successful as it is now, but they could be even more successful.

What kind of sales person wants to give up market share? If I was head of marketing at Ford Australia, I'd be putting on the worlds biggest song and dance to get me some more things to sell.

Sweet I've got the ute market tied up, lets get some runs on the board in another category as well, how else can I snag a few thousand sales off Toyota?

I don't want Ford Australia to fail, the company globally made some wicked cars in their recent history, they've just decided to pick one avenue for Australia and chase it rather than put some effort in and win a couple extra side hustles.

They've got nothing to hook a 17 year old kid into the brand, we're handing all the 17 year olds to MG.

That 17 year old kid is going to buy a few new cars in their lifetime, and they're probably going to buy MGs just like how I bought new Fords.

At the time, no one made a better hatch than Ford Europe, and to this day, they're still king of the front drivers - and Ford just threw the segment to everyone else.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by prydey

I'm just pointing out that every brand doesn't have to be all things to all people.

To be successful, they do.

Originally Posted by prydey

Ford have remained in the top 5 manufacturers in this country since forever even when many predict their demise.

You need to catch up. Ford hasn't manufactured here for almost a decade

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Simple, if you dont like what they have. By something else. We did that ourselves.

And?
What do you want, a medal?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

To be successful, they do.


You need to catch up. Ford hasn't manufactured here for almost a decade

Ford is one of 60+ manufacturers that sell vehicles in Australia. They always ranked in or close to top 5 and continue to do so.

As for success, it depends how you measure it.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

And?
What do you want, a medal?

Not at all.
Posted what I chose.
Never asked for praise as i never purchased to appease you or anyone else.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by prydey

I guess some don't like accepting they are in a minority group. The thread is about ford supposedly having the lights off because they don't provide all things to all people.

How did Ford get to the position where they have so few SUVs, during the biggest automotive shift in the last 50 years (adoption of SUVs and every niche being opened up in this segment), especially when they started the shift with a landmark car at exactly the right time?

Lights have been off in this segment for them, notwithstanding good Everest sales.

[prydey]

I think it's very easy to spend other peoples money

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by prydey

I think it's very easy to spend other peoples money

Government does a great job of it, not effectively, but the spending part

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Could be Doc..

It’s also a reason why back in parking is becoming a thing at shopping centres.
Lots of work places insist on it for quicker evacuation but now that’s spilling over
into shopping centres. Great for Utes and SUVs to see when they leave but back in
a lower sedan or hatchback and you’re still stuck with can’t see past the higher bonnets…..

I drive a LWB Vito, I block everyone's view no matter which end I park first

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

It just hurts me from a sales background to see Ford Australia giving up share on the board, sure they're successful as it is now, but they could be even more successful.

What kind of sales person wants to give up market share? If I was head of marketing at Ford Australia, I'd be putting on the worlds biggest song and dance to get me some more things to sell.

Sweet I've got the ute market tied up, lets get some runs on the board in another category as well, how else can I snag a few thousand sales off Toyota?

I don't want Ford Australia to fail, the company globally made some wicked cars in their recent history, they've just decided to pick one avenue for Australia and chase it rather than put some effort in and win a couple extra side hustles.

They've got nothing to hook a 17 year old kid into the brand, we're handing all the 17 year olds to MG.

That 17 year old kid is going to buy a few new cars in their lifetime, and they're probably going to buy MGs just like how I bought new Fords.

At the time, no one made a better hatch than Ford Europe, and to this day, they're still king of the front drivers - and Ford just threw the segment to everyone else.

I guess the big question (and I'd really love to know) ...is...How much is left up to Ford Australia and what they can source from other divisions, namely Ford Europe and it's RHD built vehicles and how much is controlled by outside bosses.

Does it have, or ever had, full autonomy to source anything RHD built, was that vehicle made available plus what would it have wanted to source but have been hamstrung by decisions of say Ford Europe to end production sooner or later making a long-term choice not worth it?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

I guess the big question (and I'd really love to know) ...is...How much is left up to Ford Australia and what they can source from other divisions, namely Ford Europe and it's RHD built vehicles and how much is controlled by outside bosses.

Does it have, or ever had, full autonomy to source anything RHD built, was that vehicle made available plus what would it have wanted to source but have been hamstrung by decisions of say Ford Europe to end production sooner or later making a long-term choice not worth it?

I reckon they've been hamstrung for decades, but there's just been a lack of leaders who've been capable enough to negotiate the road blocks at Ford USA.

Geoff Polites is probably the last decent CEO that Ford Australia has seen, everyone else is some hatchet job flog who feathers their own nest as they rotate in and out of the clown show. Everyone else has just thrown their hands up in the air and gone 'oh its too hard'.

There's obviously serious inter-division politics at Ford between all the branches, you need a CEO who can play politics.

[kevino]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Yep, starting up New Ecosport production for Export markets around the world
let’s hope this version is a bit more upmarket, could be a shock after the the Puma.

I wonder what other engineering and production will be outsourced to India,
feels like some manufacturers will be leaving China in the next few years.
Either way, this could be the start of something good for our region…

Thanks
Could be interesting
Obviously a low cost plant

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by prydey

Territory is actually bigger than Everest in every dimension except for ground clearance.

You sure? I just googled it and Everest is bigger in every way.

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

To be successful, they do.


You need to catch up. Ford hasn't manufactured here for almost a decade

In the late 90’s and 00’s Channel 10 was the most profitable TV network in Australia. They did this by chasing and dominating the younger demographics. Then around 2010 they decided to branch out and chase other markets, diluting their offering and now they’re inches from going under.

So no, you do not have to be all things to all people to be successful. You just have to understand the market you want to play in.

Ford knows dual cabs.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

You sure? I just googled it and Everest is bigger in every way.

Sorry, I meant to say previous. New Everest is bigger.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

In the late 90’s and 00’s Channel 10 was the most profitable TV network in Australia. They did this by chasing and dominating the younger demographics. Then around 2010 they decided to branch out and chase other markets, diluting their offering and now they’re inches from going under.

So no, you do not have to be all things to all people to be successful. You just have to understand the market you want to play in.

Ford knows dual cabs.

Not a good comparison because no one under 40 watches TV,

They also know front driving hatches, as in best in market type 'know'.

So its not like they're entering a 'new' field, they've been the market leader (as in technological leader) there since the WP/WQ Fiesta and LR Focus.

The only car Ford had that appeals to 'younger' demographics is the Puma, and they didn't even bother trying to advertise them to that demographic - 30-something females.

The 30-something females instead are all froffing at the mouth for the RAV4 hybrid.

They've got nothing for the 17/18 year old to attract a Gen Z buyer getting into their first car.

[Ratmick]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Not a good comparison because no one under 40 watches TV,

They also know front driving hatches, as in best in market type 'know'.

So its not like they're entering a 'new' field, they've been the market leader (as in technological leader) there since the WP/WQ Fiesta and LR Focus.

The only car Ford had that appeals to 'younger' demographics is the Puma, and they didn't even bother trying to advertise them to that demographic - 30-something females.

The 30-something females instead are all froffing at the mouth for the RAV4 hybrid.

They've got nothing for the 17/18 year old to attract a Gen Z buyer getting into their first car.

Some people over 40 don’t watch tv either mate

Would have considered a Ford hatch is they still made them. Have no interest in a tradie Ute, nor an Everest.

[kevino]

Mmm
So Ford s appeal to Boomers Gen X and Corporates.
Some of their buyers will die off over time
Need to have product to keep the brand in mind for under 40 s under 35 s
But has the boat sailed
Has Ford got any capability to produce a car to appeal to under 40 s under 35 s
Have they laid off their Euro engineering guys that designed all those great Euro hatches and suv s
It’s probably time to stop wishing for a new Focus Fiesta Escape Mondeo etc
The boat has sailed

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by kevino

Mmm
So Ford s appeal to Boomers Gen X and Corporates.
Some of their buyers will die off over time
Need to have product to keep the brand in mind for under 40 s under 35 s
But has the boat sailed
Has Ford got any capability to produce a car to appeal to under 40 s under 35 s
Have they laid off their Euro engineering guys that designed all those great Euro hatches and suv s
It’s probably time to stop wishing for a new Focus Fiesta Escape Mondeo etc
The boat has sailed

From what their USA CEO was talking about I assume the next generation of their small cars are going to be EVs.