Ford NZ changes source of Focus

The Stylist · 21-09-2005, 07:34 PM

From car.co.nz

Ford New Zealand announced today that from 2006, all new Focus models available for sale in New Zealand will be sourced from Europe.

Consumers will notice few discernable differences between the current South African models and the European variant, while the current range of powertrain and body styles on offer will remain unchanged.

"Focus is re-establishing itself as one of the world's most popular cars, and is finding particular favour in Southern Hemisphere markets supplied by Ford of South Africa," said Ford New Zealand Focus Brand Manager, Suzanne van Pels.

"Demand for the all new Focus has outstripped supply, and in an effort to assist we have agreed to allocate our volume to Ford Australia and in turn have been able to secure our volume requirement out of Europe," concluded Mrs. van Pels

Teki04 · 21-09-2005, 09:48 PM

Yea, that would be right! As if you wouldnt give up your South African Focus for the European one! Lets give ours to NZ and other countries so we can get ours from Europe!

Would be good if we could have all the CL and LX Focus sourced from South Africa, and the Zetec and Ghia from Europe... that way we could get the curtain airbags on top models!

Does the South African plant make the Diesel Focus as well?

zetec · 21-09-2005, 09:49 PM

Means more Focus for us and New Zealand still gets enough also! Shows just how hard Ford is trying to provide enough cars for us here in Oz!!!!

whippet_zetec · 22-09-2005, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

Means more Focus for us and New Zealand still gets enough also! Shows just how hard Ford is trying to provide enough cars for us here in Oz!!!!

Matt

I find that such a cop out statement, if Ford had been genuine they would have made sure they had their supply issues sorted even before they started advertising the new Focus...dont get me wrong I think the new Focus is a winner but this is just a knee jerk reaction by Ford and nothing pro-active.

22-09-2005, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whippet_zetec

Matt

I find that such a cop out statement, if Ford had been genuine they would have made sure they had their supply issues sorted even before they started advertising the new Focus...dont get me wrong I think the new Focus is a winner but this is just a knee jerk reaction by Ford and nothing pro-active.

Umm, didn't they base there supply a little bit more than average LR Focus sales? I can't see a feasible way that Ford could have guaged how sucessful the LS is.

whippet_zetec · 22-09-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArgonEF

Umm, didn't they base there supply a little bit more than average LR Focus sales? I can't see a feasible way that Ford could have guaged how sucessful the LS is.

I am sure Ford did base their import numbers on the LR Focus sales, but surely they would have had a heads up on the sales that were going to be coming through with the amount of pre-sales interest which I know was huge.

I am not having a shot at Matt, more that Ford is only now doing what they can because those waiting arent happy and they have been caught short.

MAGPIE · 22-09-2005, 04:38 PM

I have heard that Ford NZ wanted the extra airbags that the euro Focus gets so they can market its 5 star crash rating, its not all just as simple as saying....

"were doing it to help the aussies out" BOLLOCKS !

Anyway great move by Ford NZ, bring it on. Focus Zetec might stack up against the SP23 a little better now.

Timmeh · 22-09-2005, 11:36 AM

It was hard for them to gauge the success but measures should have been in place to at least stockpile some vehicles for the initial rush or something - the waiting is costing Ford sales.

Ah well... I guess it comes down to three simple words. Not my problem! :monkes:

Still sucks for people waiting tho.

Tim

22-09-2005, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmeh

It was hard for them to gauge the success but measures should have been in place to at least stockpile some vehicles for the initial rush or something - the waiting is costing Ford sales.

Ah well... I guess it comes down to three simple words. Not my problem! :monkes:

Still sucks for people waiting tho.

Tim

I'm one of them

:

zetec · 23-09-2005, 12:06 AM

Not at all Todd, never meant as a cop-out, in all honest truth it's what I meant, Ford trying to get more anyway possible. It's not my place to comment because I don't know the intricacies, all I know is they're doing all they can to meet demand and never intended to be short on supply.

guym · 23-09-2005, 04:47 PM

Zetec you are getting wrong, Ford here is totally focused on the Falson (which I read an article the other day was out sold by the corolla in the last couple of months) and only wants a cheep focus in this market, therefore are happy to source from South Africa. They should have looked into the future and built a local focus based on the Europe version fully optioned up so be sold round this region. Then in time when you can't give a large car away they will still have a production plant in AUS. Therefore we get a lower spec vehicle with faults. Look where the market is going, smaller but far better equiped cars.

MAGPIE · 23-09-2005, 06:40 PM

From a June Focus article

Quote:

Ford New Zealand sales and marketing manager Graeme Whickman says he'd like to see the car step up to the full safety armoury that buyers in Europe and England enjoy, but cannot say when that might happen.

Quote:

Ford NZ would take curtain airbags "at a heartbeat," he added.

Quote:

A Focus with curtain airbags scored the maximum five stars in a crash test conducted recently by the independent European New Car Assessment Programme.

Quote:

A five-star score is a coveted result, but not one Ford NZ can use to promote the car, Whickman told XtraMSN Motoring. "Until we get those (curtain devices) we cannot present the five-star story."

zetec · 23-09-2005, 07:25 PM

guym looks like you've got it all sorted, you might as well put in you resume for president, you seem to have a full understanding of the market and know everything about it.

Just remember everything you read in articles is totally true and thus you should judge everything about the auto industry not by actually knowing through experience but by what you read, that's all you need.

guym · 24-09-2005, 01:19 PM

Zetec, I don't assume to know it all, but lets look at some simple facts, In Europe fuel prices are higher than here and they buy predominantly smaller cars, eg the Focus is the biggest selling vehicle in the UK, Petrol prices here are on the increase, Holden are laying off 1400 employees due to lack of demand and are quoted as saying that the 24 hour production line appear to be a thing of the past, volumes of large cars here have dropped, the world is a changing place and fuel usage is playing a big part of that. People can draw there own conclusion, but just so everyone is clear I believe the day of the big car is slowing. If we can learn from others, and Europe is a good guide as their fuel prices are highers than ours people will want smaller more economical vehicles in the future. After all in the UK last time I asked it cost $110.00 to fill a Focus sized car, now what would that be if it was a Falcon or a Commodore. We can all do the maths.