Why do Ford do these things??

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 12:01 AM

I love Ford but their marketing department and to some extent, their design department need a kick up the backside sometimes. Do they care? Picked up November Wheels mag. Found an ad on the new fairmont ghia. The photo of it is a very poor angle and it doesn't look anything near as good as other photos taken by members of the public. It looks like an XT at best. Who else thinks the press photos have been extremely poor?

Also to me, Ford have missed out on some minor tweaks over the years that I think could have easily been done. 1) with the ED falcon - how hard would it have been to have clear indicators on the front to distinguish it. Who else thinks that clears change the look of those cars (front on) totally?? Please don't tell me that was a cost factor??? 2) With the BFII, why not change the rear lights? Yes, keep the shape because of costs, but change the configuration ala VE SS-V compared to VE SS. That surely wouldn't cost that much in the whole scheme of things? You would instantly have a distinguishable rear end. As it is now, you have to take a microscope to tell the difference between BA - BFII rear ends. Orion comes out in 2008. BA was released in 2002. 6 years with the same behind? hmmm.

I know I may sound crazy but I think these are a couple of example of how a few easy cosmetic changes can have dramatic impact. so easy that it frustrates me as to why they weren't done.

I'm not going to even start about the marketing department. The fact that the general population think that Holden's are more Australian than Ford says it all.

What do you all think?

xr8man83 · 28-10-2006, 12:05 AM

i think your spot on the money mate i often think the same things

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 12:08 AM

It's good to know someone's on the same wavelength mate!

parawolf · 28-10-2006, 12:09 AM

They weren't done for cost variation reasons. Ford Motor Company as a global organisation is in the toilet financially. Imagine justifying that you want to make mold and paint spray pattern changes to an inflight model upgrade, which as it stands has been your best selling car in 10 - 15 years.

Basically Ford Australia needs to deliver as much cash profit to Ford global to keep the parent company afloat.

Basically "if it ain't broke". I doesn't matter how 'little' it would have cost, it would have been a variation to be signed off on.

majin_andrew · 28-10-2006, 12:10 AM

Agree 100%

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 12:13 AM

"Basically "if it ain't broke". I doesn't matter how 'little' it would have cost, it would have been a variation to be signed off on." parawolf

Yes that's true, but I would argue that these little these among others contribute to Ford's position now. You have to spend a little to make a lot.

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 12:15 AM

Can you imagine Holden releasing something like the AU? Kudos to Ford for being brave, however I would like to know who it was that actually said "yes" to the designs! How could they do that to us?! seriously

parawolf · 28-10-2006, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb2monty

"Basically "if it ain't broke". I doesn't matter how 'little' it would have cost, it would have been a variation to be signed off on." parawolf

Yes that's true, but I would argue that these little these among others contribute to Ford's position now. You have to spend a little to make a lot.

Hardly. The reason Ford is in the toilet is because apart from the Australian and European Markets, Ford has not been investing in keeping technology up to day. Unfortunately that leaves North America - their largest market. Basically Ford global is surviving on the waning sales of Mustang and F-Series.

I say waning because build quality is crap for the money compared to the more fuel effecient and attractively styled euro and asian imports for similar or cheaper money. Additionally the cost of fuel (although equiv to about AU$0.80 a litre) is 'high' for North America is killing the large car market. There is no move to improve the fuel efficency similar to what Ford Australia has done with the I6 and the ZF transmission.

It is likely that Ford will become a badge engineered company in the not to distant future, if it survives at all.

parawolf · 28-10-2006, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb2monty

Can you imagine Holden releasing something like the AU? Kudos to Ford for being brave, however I would like to know who it was that actually said "yes" to the designs! How could they do that to us?! seriously

I didn't think there was anything terribly wrong with the AU designs. About the only thing I didn't like was the huge wheel/wheel arch clearances.

TwistedEL · 28-10-2006, 12:37 AM

<--- Enough AU bashing!!!

DEVL-XR · 28-10-2006, 12:38 AM

another example is that the ef came with clear indicators on the back but the newer el came with amber indicators on the back. wtf!
i know exactly what you mean mate and it drives me crazy too! clear repeaters is another thing on older models and also with fpv the new force has the same bodykit as the gt just with a different wing, they could have changed it a bit to make it different.

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 12:40 AM

"I didn't think there was anything terribly wrong with the AU designs. About the only thing I didn't like was the huge wheel/wheel arch clearances." parawolf

yeah I like the XRs. but the forte being the base model, ie the most sales to fleet and the face of the product was terrible sitting next to the competition. Even the most blue blooded person would have to admit that the AU didn't stand a chance. It was mechanically better, but the general public buy with their eyes. The current driveline of the BF is still better than the VE omega and Berlina (4spds) but do people care?

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 12:43 AM

"another example is that the ef came with clear indicators on the back but the newer el came with amber indicators on the back. wtf!" BradensEBxr6

Exactly mate!!! What was up with that?! That was going backwards!!

uranium_death · 28-10-2006, 12:47 AM

[QUOTE=eb2monty]"another example is that the ef came with clear indicators on the back but the newer el came with amber indicators on the back. wtf!"/QUOTE]

Fully agree. Clear indicators look infinitely better than the oranges.
Same on the VTII, except the VT had orange rears while the VTII had clears, and it looked far better.

Ford sometimes change, but don't do the right changes at the right time.

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 12:50 AM

"Fully agree. Clear indicators look infinitely better than the oranges.
Same on the VTII, except the VT had orange rears while the VTII had clears, and it looked far better."

exactly. The rear end of the VTII flows much better than VT. It is amazing that such a little change can have a dramatic impact

TwistedEL · 28-10-2006, 12:51 AM

The base model AU would have been a million times more pleasing on the eye if only they hadn't used those grills...

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 12:56 AM

"The base model AU would have been a million times more pleasing on the eye if only they hadn't used those grills..." Twisted EL

Yes! That "teeth" grill is the thing responsible for tarnishing the whole range as it is the base model that the range is judged upon.

You know what I would have done if I was Ford when it was known that the public hated the look? I would have slapped all of the AU's (maybe except the ghias) with the XR front quick smart. People will say "yeah but what are the XRs going to have then" My answer? The same, just with full bodykit and add ons. The VT - VX SSs didn't have a unique front (lights).

ef_classic · 28-10-2006, 01:05 AM

The AU was, and still is a great car.
IMO the main reason it didnt sell is because it was up against the VT which had like a year to make an impact.

DOC · 28-10-2006, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb2monty

What do you all think?

Im sure you have some valid points, and not personal , or aimed at you, but people must live boring lives if these things are their biggest issue in life.

Just once i would like to see all of these people who sit there and point the bone that this is not right and that's not cool, there should be more power, i need a yellow one with blue spots, get off thier bum and go and work in these places and help make the changes they talk about and get with the programme and make the changes they strongly believe in.

Unless you place yourself in a postion to help make these changes you must go the changes made by the people who are prepared to do it.

End rant here.

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 01:17 AM

"Im sure you have some valid points, and not personal , or aimed at you, but people must live boring lives if these things are their biggest issue in life." Doc

I understand where you're coming from but I'm on here 'cos I love ford. some of these people that work and decide to make changes within the company are not fans so to speak. I'm a primary school teacher, how am I supposed to get a job in Ford's design department? The fact is just because i don't work there doesn't make my opinions any less valid. They may seem like small quibbles but they identify the lack lustre and "she'll be right" culture within the company. Yeah get rid of the V8, the XF EFI will establish our image. How can anyone defend that decision?? Do I need to work there to know that was absurd?? That's what frustrates me. These guys are lucky enough to work in the company and it seems like they just don't take notice of the obvious things....end rant!

uranium_death · 28-10-2006, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ef_classic

The AU was, and still is a great car.
IMO the main reason it didnt sell is because it was up against the VT which had like a year to make an impact.

I think the AU was a rather interesting design. But people don't care about facts.

Perception and bullshit is what rules the day.

Once again, the false perception of Holden "meaning a lot to Australia" says it all. All their Commodores (except the VE) have just been modified Opel platforms. Yes....very Australian. And sourcing half their crap from Korea also goes a long way.

The Falcon has been designed FOR Australians since the XA, while the XW was made different slightly for the Australian market in '67/68.

I love meat pies, non-Carlton and UNited Breweries branded beer, mars bars and Australian cars.

Which is why I say: There's nothing quite like a Falcon.

DEVL-XR · 28-10-2006, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb2monty

"another example is that the ef came with clear indicators on the back but the newer el came with amber indicators on the back. wtf!" BradensEBxr6

Exactly mate!!! What was up with that?! That was going backwards!!

damn straight, idiots whoever said, oh lets put amber indicators in the NEW el base models, that'll look fully sic mate!! after all, the ef looked crap with clears in the taillights!!"

:

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 01:23 AM

uranium death you are right! Jo blo would have no idea that the Commodore (bar the VE) is a european design, yet slick advertising and stealth marketing have aussies thinking they have an australian car!! The falcon has always been more australian since the XA but public perception doesn't reflect that. All it requires is a slick marketing strategy. Hell, if reality TV can suck people into thinking it's REALity, anything is possible!!

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 01:27 AM

"damn straight, idiots whoever said, oh lets put amber indicators in the NEW el base models, that'll look fully sic mate!! after all, the ef looked crap with clears in the taillights!!"

he he, yeah I'd like to be a fly on the wall in one of the meetings where these so called "industry experts" make these decisions. What possesses them? A fear of success?? Oh no we have a number 1 selling car, lets make some changes so we can be in the wilderness for the next ten years. Oh how about we pass that AU design that the janitor drew, that should help us....

TwistedEL · 28-10-2006, 10:17 AM

Harsh... real harsh...

P6LTD351 · 28-10-2006, 11:20 AM

yeah I know TwistedEL but it just frustrates me sometimes. Remember all these things I'm saying I can say them 'cos I'm a Ford fan. If the 'other' camp said these things, well that's another story. Sort of like if you say stuff about ur own race. It's cool. But if another race says something about yours, well......

Bossxr8 · 28-10-2006, 01:09 PM

Its a simple fact that the 500 million invested in BA has to be made back, and spending money on a model that is close to being replaced is wasting money. Changing things like tail lights may seem like a small thing but the development costs as well as ADR testing etc can blow the cost out considerable, while adding very few if any extra sales. Engineers can come up with some great ideas but unless they are cost effective they won't make it into production.