Only 700 Falcons sold last month. Why bother?

Article here: http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/a...502-2iu5b.html

1600 Commodores sold and 700 Falcons. Commodore figures are explained as Holden having basically run out of VEs to sell - there might be something in this as there was only one new VE at my local dealer when I was down there the other day (a ute). Falcon though - only 700 sales and no particular excuse; just that nobody wants them.

I've backed the local industry for years and will continue to do so, but I just can't see the point of continuing to make the Falcon if hardly anybody is buying it; and Ford doesn't seem to have any sort of plan for the future. At least with Holden we might not like what they'll make from 2016/7 onwards (assuming some Camry-type FWD misery car) but at least there's been recognition that something needs to be done.

It pains me to say this, but I think taxpayer dollars should be pulled out of Ford and concentrated on Holden and Toyota as the most likely companies to have a manufacturing future here.

Wow, that really is not many at all, and with the next Falcon more than a year away it makes you wonder how few they will be selling mid next year when in run-out mode with the few traditional Falcon buyers holding out for the next model.

If it weren't for Territory being built off the same platform you would think they wouldn't be able to justify the 2014 model Falcon. Hopefully the new Territory had a good month, otherwise Broadmeadows could be looking at more down days to align production with demand.

The top selling cars in March 2013
Mazda3 3,785
Toyota Corolla 3,510
Toyota HiLux 3125
Hyundai i30 2,295
Nissan Navara 2,440
Holden Cruze 2,335
Mitsubishi Triton 1,995
Toyota Camry 1,915
Ford Ranger 1,685
Nissan Pulsar 1,630


Thats March figures. From Carsales.com

Would March have been the first month since release that Commodore did not make the top 10?

How is the Pulsar anywhere near top 10? I've seen ONE, just one on the road, and from what I've been told it's a heap of junk.

I genuinely hate this. I'm Holden through and through but you come to love the "opposition" over time. I'd never wish Ford Oz to fail.

How many of the 700 were taxi's?

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Originally Posted by Jamolad

Would March have been the first month since release that Commodore did not make the top 10?

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I think that would be right. One of the articles I read this morning said Nov '12 was the first time in 17 years that Camry had outsold Commodore and it's been outselling Commodore ever since - that doesn't seem right as I can't imagine Camry having outsold Commodore at any time in 1995 by a long shot.

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Originally Posted by CLUBRED

How is the Pulsar anywhere near top 10? I've seen ONE, just one on the road, and from what I've been told it's a heap of junk.

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It's only been on sale for one or two months - it's just gone straight to the top 10 on the strength of its well known nameplate and low, low price. Other than the past few years Pulsars were on sale since 1980 or thereabouts so there's a lot of goodwill in that badge.

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Originally Posted by Evman

I genuinely hate this. I'm Holden through and through but you come to love the "opposition" over time. I'd never wish Ford Oz to fail.

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I don't particularly wish them to fail but I think it is inevitable and I'm wondering what the point is of trying to keep it afloat - good money after bad etc. I'd be delighted to be wrong and find that Ford Australia has a plan for the next decade of manufacturing here but I don't think it does. In hindsight I reckon the day they announced they would build a four pot Falcon rather than Focus here was really the day they announced their intention to shut up shop. Again, would love to be wrong but we've heard nothing at all about future Falcon or Territory models.

It's a shame. I just sold my FG xr6t and if there was a new Falcon xr6t available I'd buy it. Best car I've ever owned by far and it was my first Ford..Driving position was different but became very comfortable with it over time.

Good luck Ford :(

Realistically you should count Territory sales in conjunction with Falcon. If you count Sportwagon sales in with Commodore, counting Territory with Falcon is reasonable, there is no Falcon wagon now and Territory is essentially same running gear and platform.

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Originally Posted by Marco

Article here: http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/a...502-2iu5b.html

At least with Holden we might not like what they'll make from 2016/7 onwards (assuming some Camry-type FWD misery car) but at least there's been recognition that something needs to be done.

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There was an article in todays paper regarding Malibu, sounds pretty crap really, lowest power output in class and near highest fuel consumption, also fuel consumption not much less than VF.

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Originally Posted by Hi Octane

The top selling cars in March 2013
Mazda3 3,785
Toyota Corolla 3,510
Toyota HiLux 3125
Hyundai i30 2,295
Nissan Navara 2,440
Holden Cruze 2,335
Mitsubishi Triton 1,995
Toyota Camry 1,915
Ford Ranger 1,685
Nissan Pulsar 1,630


Thats March figures. From Carsales.com

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Mazda 3 has been at the top or near it for a long time now. Good car but I don't particularly like its looks, and i have one lol wifes..a mps seems good value it just doesn't look sporty enough. megane looks better but seems to expensive for a little car.

Maybe thats why V8supercars are bringing in other makes for when holden ford are no longer, as far v8 rwd sedans.

Corolla is crawling back up, now they are back on track with cars that look better. before they were bland and boring looking, i think they are stealing design cues from Hyundai. noticed how popular hyundai were getting while at the same time Toyota was declining from its high spot, too many boring shapes for too long.

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Originally Posted by redvxr8clubby

There was an article in todays paper regarding Malibu, sounds pretty crap really, lowest power output in class and near highest fuel consumption, also fuel consumption not much less than VF.

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Evidently on some of the US websites the Malibu has also been criticised for many things, including poor packaging. Lack of rear leg room compared with the US model Accord and Camry is a low point. GM are evidently rushing out a facelifted version to deal with the various criticisms. By the time 2017 rolls around there should be an all new model.

Mind you if the Malibu is poorly received here, Holden will be in a bind for 2017.

Cheers, Matthew

Cheap Corvettes would be good, not the 100K plus price. gee they are around $50 K over there and our $ is better! why 3 times the price here once they manufacturer RHD, which they are supposed to be doing

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Originally Posted by VX2VESS

Cheap Corvettes would be good, not the 100K plus price. gee they are around $50 K over there and our $ is better! why 3 times the price here once they manufacturer RHD, which they are supposed to be doing

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The idea of RHD Corvette got canned the day after it was announced, basically someone (can't remember who) spoke out of turn.