VFACTS July 2023

[Franco Cozzo]

Look at MG up on the sales charts - this is because everyone else abandoned the cheap segment to them and now prices are going up and up and up.

Ford Puma numbers laughable as always, 4x2 Ranger is back down in numbers when it was doing 400-500 month.

Ford Puma is a problem, they pump the advertising but the market isn't interested - they sell nearly as many Transits and Mustangs as their entry level market proposition.

There's that many Gen Y/Gen Z women that the Puma should be flying off the shelves for but its not converting into sales.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Look at MG up on the sales charts - this is because everyone else abandoned the cheap segment to them and now prices are going up and up and up.

Ford Puma numbers laughable as always, 4x2 Ranger is back down in numbers when it was doing 400-500 month.

Ford Puma is a problem, they pump the advertising but the market isn't interested - they sell nearly as many Transits and Mustangs as their entry level market proposition.

There's that many Gen Y/Gen Z women that the Puma should be flying off the shelves for but its not converting into sales.

That will never happen if the Puma costs $10K more...is the MG3 the main competitor? I don't know much about this segment although have had Puma's as loan vehicles during service time and they are a fabulous drive.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Look at MG up on the sales charts - this is because everyone else abandoned the cheap segment to them and now prices are going up and up and up.

Ford Puma numbers laughable as always, 4x2 Ranger is back down in numbers when it was doing 400-500 month.

Ford Puma is a problem, they pump the advertising but the market isn't interested - they sell nearly as many Transits and Mustangs as their entry level market proposition.

There's that many Gen Y/Gen Z women that the Puma should be flying off the shelves for but its not converting into sales.

Ford Puma awful car. When my FG X was at the dealer last year having the diff bushes and center bearing replaced, they gave me loan car which was a Puma. As soon as I took off I thought "Wow what a rough engine. Is it a diesel"? I'd almost take the MG ZS I was loaned earlier this year over the Puma.

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Ford Puma awful car. When my FG X was at the dealer last year having the diff bushes and center bearing replaced, they gave me loan car which was a Puma. As soon as I took off I thought "Wow what a rough engine. Is it a diesel"? I'd almost take the MG ZS I was loaned earlier this year over the Puma.

Having just had time with a ZS, and having driven a Puma, the ZS isn’t in the same league. MG’s are truly budget cars, but with not so budget prices.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

Having just had time with a ZS, and having driven a Puma, the ZS isn’t in the same league. MG’s are truly budget cars, but with not so budget prices.

My wife has a Puma ST-Line in that nice bright Blue, it’s a lovely little car. It drives well (it’s good for a squirt down the street with that punchy little engine), it handles really well for a “Fat Fiesta”.

It’s a great little car, it looks really nice, I wish we had the glass roof.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

My wife has a Puma ST-Line in that nice bright Blue, it’s a lovely little car. It drives well (it’s good for a squirt down the street with that punchy little engine), it handles really well for a “Fat Fiesta”.

It’s a great little car, it looks really nice, I wish we had the glass roof.

I've driven Puma's a few times now and liked them far more than I was expecting. The drive so nice and the engine has some character to it.

But...........I think those who do manage to get a test drive might be put off by the gruff sounding engine. I like it because it's got some character to it, even if it has no top end power. For a torquey run around, its feels very nippy without having to deal with diesel issues or the expense of a hybrid.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I've driven Puma's a few times now and liked them far more than I was expecting. The drive so nice and the engine has some character to it.

But...........I think those who do manage to get a test drive might be put off by the gruff sounding engine. I like it because it's got some character to it, even if it has no top end power. For a torquey run around, its feels very nippy without having to deal with diesel issues or the expense of a hybrid.

There's no doubt it's probably the best SUV in it's class, turbo 3 cylinder engine and it's based on the Fiesta.

I'd rather the Fiesta, same thing except it's smaller and lighter, so it'll use less fuel, steer/corner/accelerate better than the Puma.

Puma is objectively worse in every metric compared to the Fiesta it's based on, like all SUVs - they're all compromises just like dual cab Thailand Specials where they do everything but nothing exceptionally.

Just because Thailand Specials and SUVs are popular it doesn't mean they're good - MAFS is popular too but I don't see anyone here advocating it's the best thing on FTA TV

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Puma is objectively worse in every metric compared to the Fiesta it's based on, like all SUVs - they're all compromises just like dual cab Thailand Specials where they do everything but nothing exceptionally.

The metrics you mentioned only matter on forums. In the real world it's about ease of use.

My daughter has an SA Focus. We have ZH Escape. They aren't much higher off the ground but it makes a lot of difference getting in and out.

My folks traded their falcon on a Tucson. They'll never go back to a non suv.

Being slightly higher off the ground is what the market wanted.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

There's no doubt it's probably the best SUV in it's class, turbo 3 cylinder engine and it's based on the Fiesta.

I'd rather the Fiesta, same thing except it's smaller and lighter, so it'll use less fuel, steer/corner/accelerate better than the Puma.

Puma is objectively worse in every metric compared to the Fiesta it's based on, like all SUVs - they're all compromises just like dual cab Thailand Specials where they do everything but nothing exceptionally.

Just remember when you’re talking Puma vs Fiesta, the difference can be as little as 150 kg.
The other thing is that Ford stopped building Fiesta last month so that option is now basically gone.

[kevino]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

There's no doubt it's probably the best SUV in it's class, turbo 3 cylinder engine and it's based on the Fiesta.

I'd rather the Fiesta, same thing except it's smaller and lighter, so it'll use less fuel, steer/corner/accelerate better than the Puma.

Puma is objectively worse in every metric compared to the Fiesta it's based on, like all SUVs - they're all compromises just like dual cab Thailand Specials where they do everything but nothing exceptionally.

Just because Thailand Specials and SUVs are popular it doesn't mean they're good - MAFS is popular too but I don't see anyone here advocating it's the best thing on FTA TV

Ah Franco -you have never driven a Puma.
Wife had a 2012 1.6 na Fiesta.
I ve now got a 1.0 turbo 3 Puma.
Fuel consumption is better on Puma.
handling equal.
braking equal
Seat 100 points more better
Tech 200 points better-acc blind spot assist rev camera

You are wrong in this instance.

However if your comparison is a Fiesta ST it is a draw -you would want acceleration as no 1 -I want economy comfort and easy entry exit higher car.

[kevino]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Look at MG up on the sales charts - this is because everyone else abandoned the cheap segment to them and now prices are going up and up and up.

Ford Puma numbers laughable as always, 4x2 Ranger is back down in numbers when it was doing 400-500 month.

Ford Puma is a problem, they pump the advertising but the market isn't interested - they sell nearly as many Transits and Mustangs as their entry level market proposition.

There's that many Gen Y/Gen Z women that the Puma should be flying off the shelves for but its not converting into sales.

Originally Posted by marrkuss

Guess I need to kinda stick here and read. Really wanna quit, I'm still young.

There’s no stock of Puma.
Check dealers !

Obviously Ford Ute can’t get them from FOE.

If Ford had stock they should sell 1500 month

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by kevino

There’s no stock of Puma.
Check dealers !

Obviously Ford Ute can’t get them from FOE.

If Ford had stock they should sell 1500 month

Yet they seem to be able to get their hands on Ranger and Everest, I think all the effort is going into those two rather than standing up to FoE where they just throw their hands up in the air and gone 'oh well, Ford Europe won't give us any cars'.

You can see where all the effort goes, if suddenly Ford Australia got cut off from Ranger and Everest, I bet they'd put on a real big song and dance to keep those coming in

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Yet they seem to be able to get their hands on Ranger and Everest, I think all the effort is going into those two rather than standing up to FoE where they just throw their hands up in the air and gone 'oh well, Ford Europe won't give us any cars'.

You can see where all the effort goes, if suddenly Ford Australia got cut off from Ranger and Everest, I bet they'd put on a real big song and dance to keep those coming in

I asked our Ford Dealer about the lead time on a Puma order, the answer was at least 8 months.

I wonder how many sales are lost at those enquiries at dealerships ?

What’s the wait on an MG in that class ? 15 minutes ?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

I asked our Ford Dealer about the lead time on a Puma order, the answer was at least 8 months.

I wonder how many sales are lost at those enquiries at dealerships ?

What’s the wait on an MG in that class ? 15 minutes ?

We got a new i30N sedan, in manual in about 2 months and they had like 10 on the yard if you wanted second hand ones too + a couple demos.

So there's new cars about without ridiculous wait times like 8 months.

Availability is a huge part of selling any product, I wouldn't wait 8 months for a car thats for sure.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

I asked our Ford Dealer about the lead time on a Puma order, the answer was at least 8 months.

I wonder how many sales are lost at those enquiries at dealerships ?

What’s the wait on an MG in that class ? 15 minutes ?

Not long enough!

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by kevino

There’s no stock of Puma.
Check dealers !

Obviously Ford Ute can’t get them from FOE.

If Ford had stock they should sell 1500 month

Add to that any vans. On collecting our Custom for a quick repair, I asked the sales manager when can I order a new one...he just shook his head..there is a basic dealer bulletin on the next new model, no real time-line on when they are available and no pricing or specs so you can order with "price and spec clauses to cancel if not willing to proceed" once all the details come through.

The showroom had 7 or 8 Rangers inside all with sold signs on the windscreen and awaiting handover, not one was below Wildtrak spec...and I have to say the Ranger Platinum in Equinox looked incredible.