Ecoboost Territory - would it sell?

in_xcess · 06-09-2012, 09:40 AM

Ford's second best seller last month was Territory. It goes without saying it's been a great success for Ford since its introduction and since the new model and diesel.

It has been discussed loosely in other areas of the forum but use this thread as market research. Should Ford grow its market presence with an Ecoboost variant?

They have been caught testing one despite denying there weren't plans for it.

I'd see it marketable as 'Territory Lite' or 'Territory City' and attractive to a female demographic, cashed-up metrosexuals and townie families wanting the size but not the expensive diesel model.

No, it won't be flash as a towing vehicle but this proposal isn't considering the torque-needy market.

The original 'Amazing' ad campaign was very successful and points to how families see the model and the 'built like a truck, drives like a car' dropping kids off at school ad points to how it could be marketed to women.

Could/should Ford consolidate on its success and go 4cyl with Terry? Would it sell?

mike_nofx · 06-09-2012, 09:54 AM

As a man, I could never bring myself to buy a car labeled "lite" or "city"

EDIT: even if buying a car for the wife.

But seriously, I doubt anyone would buy a 4cyl territory.

|Nate · 06-09-2012, 09:56 AM

I don't think the territory should get the EcoBoost.

That's why Ford sells the Kuga, to tend to their "lite" and "city" markets.

in_xcess · 06-09-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

As a man, I could never bring myself to buy a car labeled "lite" or "city"

You wouldn't be the market then!

But would your wife, sister, mum in law drive it?

Would you hire one when on a family holiday to... Insert preferred destination here.

Remember the market's a funny thing. The original Mustang was designed and marketed to secretarys.

Brazen · 06-09-2012, 09:59 AM

Not sure about Ecoboost Territory.

A diesel Falcon ute however is a no brainer. Back when AU ute was released the market favoured petrol, and the AU ute sold approx 2000 a month. Since then the market has migrated to diesel, where now only 4% of the segment is petrol.... Of course the Falcon ute hasn't kept up with this shift.

in_xcess · 06-09-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Nate

I don't think the territory should get the EcoBoost.

That's why Ford sells the Kuga, to tend to their "lite" and "city" markets.

Kugas overpriced and not selling.

Territory now has 'brand' going for it.

Many IT users vowed in past decades they would never buy an Apple product. How many of us now have something i on their desk or in their pocket?

I'd bet an ecoboost would make up 5-10% of terry sales in its first 6 months based purely on a dealer saying to a potential buyer 'have you considered the ecoboost?' as it would be $5,000 less (or even more) than I6 potentially.

SumoDog68 · 06-09-2012, 10:31 AM

Yes it would sell few hundreds of Ecoboost V6 from F150 (272kW and 569Nm) :-) to mums and dads who miss terry turbo ...

SumoDog68 · 06-09-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Not sure about Ecoboost Territory.

A diesel Falcon ute however is a no brainer. Back when AU ute was released the market favoured petrol, and the AU ute sold approx 2000 a month. Since then the market has migrated to diesel, where now only 4% of the segment is petrol.... Of course the Falcon ute hasn't kept up with this shift.

Diesel utes are 4WD dual cabs which Falcon ute is not - Ranger covers that market...

Werd. · 06-09-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by in_xcess

Many IT users vowed in past decades they would never buy an Apple product. How many of us now have something i on their desk or in their pocket?

I wouldn't be seen dead with an iPhone, but that's not really the topic at hand

Anyway, I don't think the 2.0L Ecoboost would go down well in the Territory, maybe a detuned 3.5L ecoboost just for the torque. Obviously it wouldn't need the 272KW that it puts out in the F150..

Though it would be very easy for Ford to market a performance oriented Territory again...

Maybe they should have 2.0L in the base models and the 3.5L in the F6X

RASER · 06-09-2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Nate

I don't think the territory should get the EcoBoost.

That's why Ford sells the Kuga, to tend to their "lite" and "city" markets.

I think *trying* to sell the Kuga is a better call...its a dog of a thing, and VERY SILLY money for it too

Have and will they ever sell one?

Needs a good $10k cut from the price for starts....

|Nate · 06-09-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by in_xcess

Kugas overpriced and not selling.

Territory now has 'brand' going for it.

Many IT users vowed in past decades they would never buy an Apple product. How many of us now have something i on their desk or in their pocket?

I'd bet an ecoboost would make up 5-10% of terry sales in its first 6 months based purely on a dealer saying to a potential buyer 'have you considered the ecoboost?' as it would be $5,000 less (or even more) than I6 potentially.

True, it's very overpriced, I was just stating that they have the products there and waiting to be sold :P

I'm a Specialist Technician and I don't own anything Apple, except for my iPod 80Gb classic from back when Apple was actually alright

But I understand what you're getting at.

The Territory was marketed pretty well and it has good sales numbers to prove that, I actually would love to see the V6 EcoBoost in it!

mike_nofx · 06-09-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Werd.

I wouldn't be seen dead with an iPhone, but that's not really the topic at hand

Just curious, why?

TMC · 06-09-2012, 10:59 AM

The 2L Ecoboost in the Territory provides enough power and torque (179kW @5000rpm 350Nm@1900rpm) to work for a base model RWD especially hooked up to the 6spd gearbox. The same motor is in the US Explorer and seems to work fine. There would be economy advantages in such a set up.

I agree that the 3.5L V6 Ecoboost (not detuned) would be a great motor for the performance oriented Territory. It produces outstanding power and economy. The F150's with this motor still return around 10L/100km on the open road and they weigh a lot more than a Territory too. If they brought this motor into the Territory I'd like to see it hooked up to an AWD box again. Not everyone wants a diesel.

RASER · 06-09-2012, 11:04 AM

What about Terri with a stonking big FPV V8 in it?

minheim · 06-09-2012, 11:39 AM

I suspect it might only sell small numbers domestically but it could work as a Thai (asian) export with the smaller displacement overcoming Thailands impost on bigger engined vehicles and thus boost local production.

jpd80 · 06-09-2012, 11:43 AM

Aussie market is still capacity focused, an Ecoboost territory would be viewed as inferior
but stick a Ranger 2.2 I-4 diesel in it and many would give it thumbs up..

mwhit43 · 06-09-2012, 11:50 AM

id buy the petrol version if it gave me the same fuel usage as the diesel, and it cheaper.

RASER · 06-09-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwhit43

id buy the petrol version if it gave me the same fuel usage as the diesel, and it cheaper.

How about ULP performance with less running cost that the cancer causing DIEsel?

Its called a Terri on injected LPGi

Julia even throws you a few bob to have it fitted.....win x win!

Smoke Pursuit · 06-09-2012, 12:01 PM

Ecoboost is a waste of time in Territory with the extra weight... We already have a great diesel.

If you ask me Falcon should have gotten diesel instead of ecoboost.....

xe351 · 06-09-2012, 12:03 PM

i think it could sell. People dont buy territory for performance, and it doesnt have falcon legacy to live up to

mwhit43 · 06-09-2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

How about ULP performance with less running cost that the cancer causing DIEsel?

Its called a Terri on injected LPGi

Julia even throws you a few bob to have it fitted.....win x win!

haha, yes i would buy that but that would cost more to buy but cheaper to run :???

RASER · 06-09-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwhit43

haha, yes i would buy that but that would cost more to buy but cheaper to run :???

Cost you around $4k extra for the conversion, you get $2k back from Juliar

Payback in around 18 months based on current LPG v ULP prices for your real $2k you spent.

Extra bonus is u have a massive range when combined ULP and LPG

Of course as a expert of a decade running LPG u will HATE to ever run your vehicle on ULP!

Unlike say the diesel which as a 18 year payback period...lol

mwhit43 · 06-09-2012, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

How about ULP performance with less running cost that the cancer causing DIEsel?

Its called a Terri on injected LPGi

Julia even throws you a few bob to have it fitted.....win x win!

haha, yes i would buy that but that would cost more to buy but cheaper to run :???

in_xcess · 06-09-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minheim

I suspect it might only sell small numbers domestically but it could work as a Thai (asian) export with the smaller displacement overcoming Thailands impost on bigger engined vehicles and thus boost local production.

Totally agree. With its asian motor show exposure and a bunch on the boat now heading to Thailand, one would expect a 'lite' version being a popular option in Asia.

With exports the key to future Ford Australia viability why wouldn't they drop in a 4cyl option?

Strip it of weight (the eco motor helps with that), give it some 'I'm friendly to the environment-style badging' and market it as 'Amazing 2.0' and it'd sell here and os.

It's ultimately a Falcon on steroids, now put it on a diet. Ford needs to create markets for it's products rather than diddly bopping along behind other manufactureres trying to pick up some crumbs.

Vesper Martini · 06-09-2012, 01:08 PM

There are so many players in the smaller "Territory lite" variant that it would never get payback, The Territorys advantage is space without the pricetag of its competitors, There are a few that use them for towing and even less that venture offroad but in reality they are to cart the family around in.
Its also replaced the falcon wagon as the reps car.
The ecoboost may work but it most likely wont happen. It would take Ford too long to get it on the road. look how long its taking for falcon..
The quick solution is a factory LPi model

TMC · 06-09-2012, 02:09 PM

I think the reason behind the Ecoboost Territory prototype is to explore it's functionality and it's ability to be manufactured in Thailand with a worldwide sourced engine for reimport back into Oz.

I would love an Aussie I6 4L Ecoboost in the Territory myself. 360kW @5000 rpm and 700Nm flat torque from 1900-4500rpm. Now that would be an engine, but I'm dreaming I know.

Fiesta_Man69 · 06-09-2012, 02:11 PM

If it was marketed and priced correctly, it would sell its socks off.

csv8 · 06-09-2012, 02:18 PM

or one of these engines ??

F-150 Specifications
Engine Specifications
Engine type 3.7L V6 3.5L V6 EcoBoost® 5.0L V8 6.2L V8
Engine Control System Electronic Electronic Electronic Electronic
Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) 302 @ 6500 365 @ 5000 360 @ 5500 411 @ 5500
Torque (lb.-ft. @rpm) 278 @ 4000 420 @ 2500 380 @ 4250 434 @ 4500

BrisVegas · 06-09-2012, 02:22 PM

Of course it would sell. People who tow boats and vans can buy the diesel AWD. People who drop kids and school and never leave the bitumen can buy the ecoBoost RWD.

It's the body shape and image people want without the "stigma" of diesel.

**Luke Plaizier** · 06-09-2012, 02:28 PM

I agree that the Territory is selling well because of the Diesel. I think most Australians have been swayed by the Diesel story. A Falcon Diesel, in my mind, would likely be a better seller than the Ecoboost Falcon. But it's too late for that now.

The 2.0 Ecoboost has been fitted to the 2011/2012 Ford Explorer - which ain't that much different in size the the Terry. It would be interesting to see what the sales percentages have turned out like.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/28/2...g-city-28-hig/

Lukeyson