media bash falcon yet again!

[prydey]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24444825-2,00.html

I'm sure there are more important issues at hand than to all but ensure falcon ends up following the same path as the 380.

people don't tend to buy cars if they get the feeling there will be no factory support in the future or the model is discontinued.

at least the ute is still selling well.

[Bossxr8]

How do they figure all Mazda 3's are sold to the general public and not fleets, that just seems like absolute crap. Surely some of them go to fleets.

Ford have said they have invested a lot of money in Ford Australia, over 1.8 billion dollars, and they talk about future Falcon models, so they twist the words and say Ford hasn't guareented its future, of course they haven't, nothing can be quareented in the auto industry. Clowns. Start firing emails at these tools and maybe they will stop doing it.

[The Stylist]

I think that story sounds incorrect, I'd like to know where they got their info from regarding the Mazda3 and the public being the only ones buying them.

[BFZ Wagon]

It always seems to be negative negative negative against the Falcon with the media. It sucks that media has so much power over people. People will read it and go 'Oh..they said so in the paper so it must be true' Wish people would get their heads out of the sand and start thinking for themselves.

Another VERY SCARY 'thought' in the back of my head is that stuff like this (and other Falcon bashing) comes from 'inside' the company (sort of self defeatist!) so then they have an excuse to 'cut costs' and leave the country!

[Wretched]

I'd assume when purchasing the vehicle there would be an intended use detail on the form i.e. for business?

In any case that has been known for ages that the Mazda 3 is the highest selling car to private buyers.

[aye you]

geez they really need to give the falcon some time in the market before the bash the crap out of it.

[Bobman]

Ford should pull their socks up and start pushing the Falcon like Holden do with the Commodore. There was an article in the Cars Guide about this kind of thing just yesterday.

Don't blame the media on something that Ford HQ themselves do. If only some of the blokes on here could run Ford AU ;)

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Bobman

If only some of the blokes on here could run Ford AU ;)

I'd hazard a guess and say the company would last maybe one year, have spent all its money on one "hero" car that would have been outdated by the next model Commodore.

Ford have done some good work with introducing the Focus, Fiesta and Mondeo. All very strong models that should be selling well. The problem lies with the fact none of these models are well known in Australia. Ford need to build the reputation like Toyota have done with the Camry and Corolla. Look at Ford in Europe, they're a top seller making piles of $$. They have built a good reputation for building quality vehicles. Even their performance cars have good cred (Escorts and the now the Focus and Fiesta).

To build such a reputation will take time, but it needs a lot of work for that whole time by Ford. They need to plaster all three models out to the public in all forms of advertising, TV, print and just heading out with the cars to show people what they're about. Chrysler did this yesterday (and have more days planned) in addition to their other marketing exercises with their new Journey. A few of the marketing guys and girls were sent out with a few different models to just drive around the city, stopping here there and everywhere. All stock for the new Journey that have been allocated to Aus are sold. That is an awesome response.

There is no simple solution to solve Ford's woes, but brand recognition for models beside the Falcon is really needed. Of course money will need to be spent, but hey you need to spend money to make any.

The Falcon is selling as well as it will, it isn't a car that public want as much anymore. There isn't anything wrong with it (besides some quality and feature issues) but the buying public have changed. Cars such as Focus, 3, Corolla and Golf are what the general public are after. They're big enough to carry four people and luggage while returning decent fuel usage figures. Vehicles like the Territory are more suited to families now instead of the traditional sedan. Of course the sedan will live on but it shouldn't be the bread and butter model. C'mon Ford let go of the old way of thinking and move into the 21st century, let go of the falcon and share the love with the other cars in the stable, they're just as good if not better. You just need to nurture them and give them time.

[pitpal]

Im totally bewildered by those facts. Its seems to me at worst the FG is on par with the VE as i beleive the current crop of falcons are streets ahead of VE in trms of refinement, power and outright looks. I can understand a jap 4cyl outselling it in todays climate, but another aussie six so easily outselling it???

[spatel]

In NZ FG Falcon TV Adverts only started last week!!!!
I know NZ dont sell as many as Oz but the Falcon market down here is quite big, shame Ford are not pushing it as much.
FG is such a great car but you need the right advertising to promote it!