FG Falcon Upgrade Delivers More Equipment and Better Fuel Economy - Page 6

jpd80 · 11-04-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

Agreed. While the Falcon Ute may be more expensive, it's much more car-like and can handle anything you can throw at it. Holden are in a position where their utes are pretty much show ponies, which I have no objection to, but Ford have the ability to truly market the ute as a genuine workhorse. It doesn't effect the sedan resale as much, and also gets the ute back into that arena. Very good point mate. Perhaps a diesel option here would be of benefit, I'm not so sure Ford could put the EcoBoost in it and market it as a work horse.

While Ford and Holden both sell similar numbers annually,
Holden sells far more V8s than Ford's combined V8/T6 numbers.
You can check that out for yourself in Russell's technical resources section.

It's those SS and SS-V Ute sales that add value and revenue to Holden.
If only Ford could go with them....

Ghiadude · 11-04-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

While Ford and Holden both sell similar numbers annually,
Holden sells far more V8s than Ford's combined V8/T6 numbers.
You can check that out for yourself in Russell's technical resources section.

It's those SS and SS-V Ute sales that add value and revenue to Holden.
If only Ford could go with them....

Fords ute styling has a lot to do with that.

Bobman · 11-04-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Im laughing out loud at people thinking the FG should have a restyle already.

Can't see why they wouldn't make a subtle styling change; such as BA1-BA2, BA-BF or BF1 to BF2. Even the BF3 Wagon got a chrome piece on the grille!

:

Joe5619 · 11-04-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT Falcon

Re the Territory, do Ford employ crackpots in their marketing research department? I cannot see how the Territory will gain sales when the TDV6 is released. They've missed the boat by not a country mile - perhaps a continent would be closer to the mark. They'll be lucky to revive sales to it's halcyon days levels.

Considering the SUV market is 50% petrol & 50% Disel, you're dreaming if you dont thing sales will increase when TDV6 comes. Add a new shape & inside & Ford will have a winner again!!

dannyhilton · 11-04-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

It's those SS and SS-V Ute sales that add value and revenue to Holden.
If only Ford could go with them....

I have seen the breakdown of this data, and not for a second would I doubt it. I cannot remember the last time I saw an Omega ute, and just about every Holden ute I see is an SS-V. While Fords new V8 will help, they really can't touch this market with the product they offer, at least in their current specifcatiin levels. This is why I've suggested Ford chase fleet sales with the R6, get a couple of XT into the mix and then keep the rest as is. This way Ford are getting some more market share while not erroding the sedans resale. The ute market can handle having a fleet hack, as those XR ute sales will remain strong enough, plus people expect utes to be work horses.

I'm just throwing a few ideas around. I by no means am an expert here, just my opinion as an outsider looking in. The production process is far too complicated for me to attempt to understand. But should Ford be able to ramp up some volume, it would seem logical to use the ute as a fleet hack to try to shield the sedans (although we all know the XR6 is becoming quite a fleet frendly vehicle).

I guess after numerous posts all I'm hoping for is for Ford to be viable, if that means smaller production and more private, or targeting the fleets, or a combination, so be it. The longer the Falcon is here the richer our lives will be.

Joe5619 · 11-04-2010, 01:33 PM

delete

Joe5619 · 11-04-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

Then when they do change it, its wrong they should have done this and that. You cant please everyone.

Not wrong, just sick of poeple saying, they want all these changes when other makes & models dont get these update as often as we get with Falcon!!

sxckevo · 11-04-2010, 02:13 PM

Alrighty I think it's time everyone on here storms down to broady and kick these no good marketing morons to the cleaners!!! After being apart of this forum for a while now I have noticed that there seems to be ALOT of people on here that could run and organise ford the way it should be. Where did they hire the current research department!! They are so fustrating I want ford to be loved but these morons are just sitting on there hands all day aaahh maybe we can source some of those genuises from apple Inc over to run it properly. Anyway that's just me speaking my mind

oh and I to think that ford should show there belief in the brillant product they have produced and up the warranty to 5 years

phillyc · 11-04-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

While Ford and Holden both sell similar numbers annually,
Holden sells far more V8s than Ford's combined V8/T6 numbers.
You can check that out for yourself in Russell's technical resources section.

It's those SS and SS-V Ute sales that add value and revenue to Holden.
If only Ford could go with them....

I really do think that 'sports ute' market wants IRS.

phillyc · 11-04-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

I guess after numerous posts all I'm hoping for is for Ford to be viable, if that means smaller production and more private, or targeting the fleets, or a combination, so be it. The longer the Falcon is here the richer our lives will be.

Agree completely.

phillyc · 11-04-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sxckevo

Anyway that's just me speaking my mind

oh and I to think that ford should show there belief in the brillant product they have produced and up the warranty to 5 years

What a great way to celebrate 50 years of Falcons with a new Ford 5 year warranty!

ieatsports_cars · 11-04-2010, 11:10 PM

i wonder if their are going to be colour changes !! the colours are becoming a bit old

Deco28 · 12-04-2010, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ieatsports_cars

i wonder if their are going to be colour changes !! the colours are becoming a bit old

That's the reason the Commodore stays 'fresh'.

Of all the new SIDI SV6s I've seen, >50% would be the two new colours, Poison Ivy and Wildfire, i think it is.

Falc'man · 12-04-2010, 01:00 AM

Good point, Deco28, they've done well with the new colours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sxckevo

Alrighty I think it's time everyone on here storms down to broady and kick these no good marketing morons to the cleaners!!! After being apart of this forum for a while now I have noticed that there seems to be ALOT of people on here that could run and organise ford the way it should be. Where did they hire the current research department!! They are so fustrating I want ford to be loved but these morons are just sitting on there hands all day aaahh maybe we can source some of those genuises from apple Inc over to run it properly. Anyway that's just me speaking my mind

oh and I to think that ford should show there belief in the brillant product they have produced and up the warranty to 5 years

Too true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boss315

Has anyone figured out why the G6ET has gone up so much?

Maybe it was too cheap to start with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghiadude

thats not entirely true
sidi 3.6
sidi 3.0
AFM 6.0
sportswagon!!
Granted all except the 3.6 and wagon were a step backwords

:

lol... and you can add AFM 6.0, too.

mcnews · 12-04-2010, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyc

I really do think that 'sports ute' market wants IRS.

Not necessarily. The current ute rear end is just fine on smooth roads it is only when roads turns crappy that the rear end struggles. Also on the smooth stuff the wider track of the ute sees the rear end break away later and smoother than the sedan (we had both a turbo sedan and ute and it was a big difference how much later the rear started to step out on the ute compared to the sedan). Fitting 19s to the BF utes though makes them much worse in the rear, the FGs don't seem to have the same problem on the 19s.

Gobes32 · 12-04-2010, 10:08 AM

Ford's major problem in ute sales, in my humble opinion, is that Commodore's are cool and Ford's aren't........ I personally love the VY and VZ SS ute's, if I won Tatts I would almost certainly buy one. And yet I am a Ford supporter. Nothing against BA/BF utes, mechanically they are superior, but everytime I see a VY/VZ ute with nice HSV wheels and decent exhaust, i damn near snap my neck to get a glimpse.

ieatsports_cars · 12-04-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deco28

That's the reason the Commodore stays 'fresh'.

Of all the new SIDI SV6s I've seen, >50% would be the two new colours, Poison Ivy and Wildfire, i think it is.

personally i LOVE the poison ivy colour !! ford should introduce new colours

however it was ford was the company that indroduced the new colours, Holden up to the VY keept all the same colours well it seemed liked it any way

jpd80 · 12-04-2010, 04:01 PM

Build one XT in LHD, fit it with 5.0 V8, Ute bench seat and Column auto,
paint it up in California Highway Patrol colours and send her across to LA.

See what comes back.....

Dr Smith · 12-04-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Build one XT in LHD, fit it with 5.0 V8, Ute bench seat and Column auto,
paint it up in California Highway Patrol colours and send her across to LA.

See what comes back.....

And get the Aussie press to tell everyone we're building US police cars rather then more correctly submitting a vehicle for tendering contracts with no orders for anything yet...

jpd80 · 12-04-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

And get the Aussie press to tell everyone we're building US police cars rather then more correctly submitting a vehicle for tendering contracts with no orders for anything yet...

But, but, we could have a second shift like Holden and, and....

Wow, deja vu......

Gobes32 · 12-04-2010, 08:49 PM

Call me a pessimist if you must, but I cannot see the American police wanting to buy an Australian vehicle.

Brazen · 12-04-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Build one XT in LHD, fit it with 5.0 V8, Ute bench seat and Column auto,
paint it up in California Highway Patrol colours and send her across to LA.

See what comes back.....

You have described a bloody good police car! Just an aside, on the American car forums I frequent the most positive thing said about Ford's new police Tauras is the column auto, apparently that is almost a necessity on a American police car.

Dr Smith · 12-04-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Call me a pessimist if you must, but I cannot see the American police wanting to buy an Australian vehicle.

No, you're a realist. Let's be honest, as long as the US economy is butt dragging and jobs are on the line, anything "Made in USA" will mean local jobs saved. If Statesman's export sales don't pick up I wonder if it can be kept.

And as Brazen stated, a column shift auto allows for better placement of all the electronic gizmo's these cars have to carry.

jpd80 · 12-04-2010, 10:17 PM

Sorry to throw out the bait on the 5.0 XT, in another reality it would be a shoe in as a cop car...

Road_Warrior · 12-04-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Build one XT in LHD, fit it with 5.0 V8, Ute bench seat and Column auto,
paint it up in California Highway Patrol colours and send her across to LA.

See what comes back.....

Or use the turbo I6 with Territory AWD system, running on straight LPG

Paxton · 12-04-2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

No, you're a realist. Let's be honest, as long as the US economy is butt dragging and jobs are on the line, anything "Made in USA" will mean local jobs saved. If Statesman's export sales don't pick up I wonder if it can be kept.

Probably not built locally, but they're already exported as CKD to China and South Korea. I would hedge a bet that Holden would likely import the Statesman from China should an Australian production version no longer be commercially viable.

jpd80 · 13-04-2010, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

Probably not built locally, but they're already exported as CKD to China and South Korea. I would hedge a bet that Holden would likely import the Statesman from China should an Australian production version no longer be commercially viable.

Not sure about South Korea but I thought that the Chinese
Buick Park Avenue zetas were stamped and built there....

Poor old Caprice is going the same way Fairlane did, it's only saving grace
is good sales in China as Buick Park Avenue and the hope of a US cop car...

naddis01 · 13-04-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

If Statesman's export sales don't pick up I wonder if it can be kept.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Poor old Caprice is going the same way Fairlane did, it's only saving grace is good sales in China as Buick Park Avenue and the hope of a US cop car...

Word has it the Statesman model is going to be dropped here later this year leaving Caprice as the only LWB model.

irlewy86 · 13-04-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Build one XT in LHD, fit it with 5.0 V8, Ute bench seat and Column auto,
paint it up in California Highway Patrol colours and send her across to LA.

See what comes back.....

Make it a paddy wagon and see what happens. Reading some of the comments on the Caprice PPV and Taurus they bang on about how much equipment they need and to separate the prisoners from the driver as they are often violent.... Seems odd they have never tried a paddy wagon.

Brazen · 13-04-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

Probably not built locally, but they're already exported as CKD to China and South Korea. I would hedge a bet that Holden would likely import the Statesman from China should an Australian production version no longer be commercially viable.

I doubt it, the Statesman in China is a very high-end Merc and BMW competitor almost hand-assembled. Over here the Statesman is built alongside tens of thousands Commodores and middle east exports. Holden is in a much much better position to continue building the Statesman and supply the US market than China.