Are the Lights still on at Ford Australia?

[kevino]

Off their latest plan their next small cars will be small pick up trucks aka utes Bev capability

[Franco Cozzo]

Another joke is no Maverick for Australia, its a ute on the Focus platform, it would fit under the Ranger in our market and it ticks the box of their fetish for utes.

[Rastas]

Originally Posted by Ford17

Ford is offering what the market wants.

Do you think everyone is enjoying driving around in trucks, now?

Early adaptors had the advantage of being able to see over vehicles in traffic, but that no longer holds true.

Wonder what the next phase or trend will be like?

Maybe Flying Cars - I believe Xpeng are opening orders for their Flying Car at the end of this year.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Another joke is no Maverick for Australia, its a ute on the Focus platform, it would fit under the Ranger in our market and it ticks the box of their fetish for utes.

Incorrect.
According to the Logic at FoA:
You only come to Ford because you want to buy a Ford and Nothing else.
Therefore we can compel you to buy a Ranger, by refusing to offer anything else.

Just like when they axed the V8 and saved Holden from Oblivian.
Same reason they never spent a cent marketing the Mondeo (to force people to buy Falcons.)
Then Axed the Fairlane (to force people to buy G6s)
And refused to build an F-series wagon, because they wanted people to buy Territories.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by kevino

Off their latest plan their next small cars will be small pick up trucks aka utes Bev capability

The messaging is already changing to calling these CE1 vehicles “mid-sized”

The CEO had a recent OPED saying buyers needed to get back in love with small vehicles.
Simply put, that was all about is Ford self interest in BEV profitability. Unlike conventional
ICE vehicles that become more profitable as they increase in size, the reverse occurs with BEVs.

Seems the bigger the battery becomes, the more contra-profit that is. So this wise chap is now
trying to steer the buyers to smaller lighter BEVs masquerading as mid-sized vehicles and yeah,
smaller batteries to boost Ford’s profits. No idea yet whether this latest “genius move” arriving
in a few years time will really attract more than token interest, Ford is really dreadful at this.

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Another joke is no Maverick for Australia, its a ute on the Focus platform, it would fit under the Ranger in our market and it ticks the box of their fetish for utes.

ok, I'm going to come back to what I said time, and time again. nobody is making new petrol engine cars for our shitty Euro 5 market. As soon as we clean up our act, and get decent low sulphur petrol, then we'll start to see these new products.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by simon varley

ok, I'm going to come back to what I said time, and time again. nobody is making new petrol engine cars for our shitty Euro 5 market. As soon as we clean up our act, and get decent low sulphur petrol, then we'll start to see these new products.

Sweet, looking forward to seeing the Maverick in Australia from December 2025

Improvements to fuel quality from December 2025

The Australian Government is making two changes to fuel quality from 15 December 2025.

The first change will reduce the level of aromatic hydrocarbons (aromatics) to a maximum of 35% in 95 Research Octane Number (RON) petrol. Aromatics are a natural component of crude oil that aids engine performance, but at high levels can cause operability issues.

All vehicles will be able to use the new 95 RON petrol. The existing 91 and 98 RON petrol grades and diesel will be unaffected.

The second change will align the previously announced reduction of sulfur allowed in all petrol grades (91 RON, 95 RON and 98 RON) with the start date of the new aromatics limit. This will simplify the transition for fuel suppliers and consumers.

The changes will also allow Australia to adopt Euro 6d noxious emissions standards, which will apply to:

new light vehicle models introduced to the Australian market from December 2025
new vehicles from existing lines in 2028.

The improvements will:

increase access to cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles in Australia
strengthen our fuel security
lower noxious emissions for light vehicles, saving $6.1 billion in health and fuel costs by 2040
remove almost 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector by 2050.

The changes follow extensive consultations with industry, consumer groups and the community by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

For more information on Euro 6d standards, visit Vehicle safety & the environment.

You can read more about these changes at: Improving Australia's fuel and vehicle emissions standards.

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-ch...-quality#toc_0

We'll have a look at this post in December 2025 and see all the new Ford models they've introduced to our market.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by simon varley

I'm going to come back to what I said time, and time again. nobody is making new petrol engine cars for our shitty Euro 5 market. As soon as we clean up our act, and get decent low sulphur petrol, then we'll start to see these new products.

You do realise that's NOT how Emissions Standards work?!?

That's like saying that GM pulled out of Australia because we weren't obese enough, or that Citroen is leaving cos we don't eat Frogs' Legs.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

You do realise that's NOT how Emissions Standards work?!?

That's like saying that GM pulled out of Australia because we weren't obese enough, or that Citroen is leaving cos we don't eat Frogs' Legs.

Please explain...(by the way where is Pauline ?) because I thought if an importer isn't building engines that can deal with higher sulphur levels anymore doesn't that impact not being able to sell in Australia until the fuel specs meet the minimum requirement of the engine.

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Please explain...(by the way where is Pauline ?) because I thought if an importer isn't building engines that can deal with higher sulphur levels anymore doesn't that impact not being able to sell in Australia until the fuel specs meet the minimum requirement of the engine.

exactly! the high sulphur in our current fuels will poison the GPFs fitted to petrol Euro 6 cars.

[Dr Smith]

...And on a totally different issue but might cause problems for Ford...you normally can get loan vehicles when servicing your car at a Ford dealership, so imagine when all the Fiesta, Focus, Escape, Falcon & Territory owners roll up and their loan vehicle is only a Ranger or maybe Everest....Grand Ma Dr Smith aint exactly going to be ready to drop off her Escape and be loaned a Ranger with tray back and over 5.5m of length.... or maybe just as bad be given a non-Ford brand loaner and actually like it......loan vehicles are a great way of selling your range.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

...And on a totally different issue but might cause problems for Ford...you normally can get loan vehicles when servicing your car at a Ford dealership, so imagine when all the Fiesta, Focus, Escape, Falcon & Territory owners roll up and their loan vehicle is only a Ranger or maybe Everest....Grand Ma Dr Smith aint exactly going to be ready to drop off her Escape and be loaned a Ranger with tray back and over 5.5m of length.... or maybe just as bad be given a non-Ford brand loaner and actually like it......loan vehicles are a great way of selling your range.

Tell her to come down my way for a day out at one of the local dealers and she'll get an au or a b series as a loan car

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by chich

There is absolutely nothing about the Everest that is appealing.. too big, too heavy, too slow, looks like a truck, diesel only fuel, poor fit & finish, too expensive, etc, etc. I've driven my fair share of both newer & older Everests to know its not for us. Handing over 90k on top of it all would just be insulting..

My fiance has a 2024 Everest Sport V6 and she loves it. Came out of a 2021 CX5 Mazda and reckons there is no comparison.

Each to their own.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

...And on a totally different issue but might cause problems for Ford...you normally can get loan vehicles when servicing your car at a Ford dealership, so imagine when all the Fiesta, Focus, Escape, Falcon & Territory owners roll up and their loan vehicle is only a Ranger or maybe Everest....Grand Ma Dr Smith aint exactly going to be ready to drop off her Escape and be loaned a Ranger with tray back and over 5.5m of length.... or maybe just as bad be given a non-Ford brand loaner and actually like it......loan vehicles are a great way of selling your range.

That happened to my old man, couple years ago, dropped his Fiesta ST off and got a Ranger as a loan car

Wouldn't you give the customer dropping off a hot hatch a Focus ST as a loan car?

Though Bayford in North Melbourne gave me an SA Focus ST-Line as a loan car once which was a good fit

[Trendseeker]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

...And on a totally different issue but might cause problems for Ford...you normally can get loan vehicles when servicing your car at a Ford dealership, so imagine when all the Fiesta, Focus, Escape, Falcon & Territory owners roll up and their loan vehicle is only a Ranger or maybe Everest....Grand Ma Dr Smith aint exactly going to be ready to drop off her Escape and be loaned a Ranger with tray back and over 5.5m of length.... or maybe just as bad be given a non-Ford brand loaner and actually like it......loan vehicles are a great way of selling your range.

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

That happened to my old man, couple years ago, dropped his Fiesta ST off and got a Ranger as a loan car

Same here. That’s exactly what you get. I drop off my Escape for a service at Ford and I get a Ranger as the loan car. Only difference is I’m a granddad, not a grandma.

[kevino]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

...And on a totally different issue but might cause problems for Ford...you normally can get loan vehicles when servicing your car at a Ford dealership, so imagine when all the Fiesta, Focus, Escape, Falcon & Territory owners roll up and their loan vehicle is only a Ranger or maybe Everest....Grand Ma Dr Smith aint exactly going to be ready to drop off her Escape and be loaned a Ranger with tray back and over 5.5m of length.... or maybe just as bad be given a non-Ford brand loaner and actually like it......loan vehicles are a great way of selling your range.

I ve got a Puma
No desire to drive the Ranger loan car- had one once - not impressed
I would rather catch the bus away when puma is getting serviced at Ford dealer fortunately there s a half frequency service 400 metres away

[Honest Gaza]

Originally Posted by prydey

I'd be interested to see a survey on why people choose higher cars. Once you've experienced the superior entry and exit height of an SUV style car, especially if older or health issues, there's no going back.

Like a lot of things...subjective.

I would much prefer to drive our previous FPV-GT sedan over the SUV style Everest.
Unfortunately, we needed a Tow Vehicle and the FPV wasn't suitable. As far as having a Tow Vehicle, very happy with the Everest.

However, when it comes to every day driving, I'll stick to my Renault Hatchback over an SUV style vehicle. Not everyone is fixated with height.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

engines that can deal with higher sulphur levels

You say that like it's actually a thing.

Pray tell, which companies do you think are making special engines just for Australia?
ROFLMFAO

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by prydey

Once you've experienced the superior entry and exit height of an SUV style car, especially if older or health issues, there's no going back.

Respect for other members is required.

Not here, not any time

I love my TTG. It's functional, comfortable, and handles reasonably well, especially in the wet. At the time I got it, I still had lots of kids around, so the 7 seats came in handy occasionally. And now the load space is a handy place for the dog, and the odd trip to Bunnings.

But when I look around at updating to a modern car, SUVs are bottom of the list.

[Captain Stubing]

I've been waiting for this thread to get the anger out of people. If people want to get cranky about other peoples preferences I'll close down the discussion.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

You say that like it's actually a thing.

Pray tell, which companies do you think are making special engines just for Australia?
ROFLMFAO

They're not making special engines..we all know that.they're sticking with older engines or completely dropping models...., the point is euro manufacturers are not sending certain models here because of our higher sulphur level fuel.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

I've been waiting for this thread to get the anger out of people. If people want to get cranky about other peoples preferences I'll close down the discussion.

Come on Cap there’s nothing out of hand going on.
Truth hurts for and against normal discussions


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Come on Cap there’s nothing out of hand going on.
Truth hurts for and against normal discussions


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm all for a healthy discussion, but when it trends towards abusing other members and against site T's & C's, I'm ready to push the button.

Now, has the last person out turned off the lights tonight?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

I'm all for a healthy discussion, but when it trends towards abusing other members and against site T's & C's, I'm ready to push the button.

Now, has the last person out turned off the lights tonight?

I'll get me coat

[Franco Cozzo]

I'm probably going to injure out of the hatches sooner rather than later, have lower back injury and I made it worse a couple weeks ago - yay for me

Got limited movement in my legs these days, and I'm a bit stiff (everywhere except where it counts lol) I can still manage to get in and out of the hatches but I reckon by end of the decade I'll probably be cooked and probably need to transition to something higher,

Or just deny its a problem and struggle street 24/7

[Crazy Dazz]

Sorry, wasn't meant to be personal, let me try again.

I know that a lot of people praise the height and "driving position" of SUVs and 4WDs. Certainly, for those who are vertically challenged (like my youngest daughter) the improved vision may well be a big factor. It's not for me.

I also note that some males, like BIG vehicles, just for their size. I certainly need one to accommodate my height and increasing girth, but exterior dimensions aren't that important.

Overall, I don't believe that there is anything inherently superior in the comfort or driving position of SUVs, 4WDS, or Trucks. In point of fact, if we consider that many modern "SUVs" are nothing more than FWD passenger vehicles underneath, I would argue that the increased height and weight are detrimental.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I'm probably going to injure out of the hatches sooner rather than later, have lower back injury and I made it worse a couple weeks ago - yay for me

Got limited movement in my legs these days, and I'm a bit stiff (everywhere except where it counts lol) I can still manage to get in and out of the hatches but I reckon by end of the decade I'll probably be cooked and probably need to transition to something higher,

Or just deny its a problem and struggle street 24/7

I hear you and am probably, no make that likely, more degraded in the body than you and definitely older.......which is why seat heaters, steering wheel heater, 360 deg cameras, are features I will value more as time goes on...

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

I hear you and am probably, no make that likely, more degraded in the body than you and definitely older.......which is why seat heaters, steering wheel heater, 360 deg cameras, are features I will value more as time goes on...

Don't let Franco fool you, he's a young bloke with plenty of life in him, just looking for excuses to hook into Italian food to put on the beef!

He also talks too fast.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

I hear you and am probably, no make that likely, more degraded in the body than you and definitely older.......which is why seat heaters, steering wheel heater, 360 deg cameras, are features I will value more as time goes on...

I still can't get around heated seats, feels like you crapped your dacks

Is good for lower back though on cold morning,

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I still can't get around heated seats, feels like you crapped your dacks

Is good for lower back though on cold morning,

Try the cooled seats, like my wife's Santa Fe hybrid... feels like you're sitting in water.