Fords answer to VF Commodore?

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

My GT is through BMW finance ......

I guess finance is finance at the end of the day, they're out to make money, and narrowing your customer base to specific brands isn't conducive to making money.

Actually now I think of it, I looked at a second hand xr6 ute before I bought my fg, and that was going to be through Toyota as well.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by 4.0i OHC

Regarding the AU rear suspension, it was actually double wishbone (which Holden are still yet to equal). I think I get what you mean though; you mean an IRS that isn't a rear tyre chewing 1960s Datsun design. The Watts link was miles ahead.

You can go back even further than that; Holden released the HQ in 1971 equipped with panhard rod rear suspension (problems with lateral location and all), and the XY was rated as a better handler with its rear leafs. Of course, Ford outdoes Holden with the Watts link in 1982.

You can also look at airbags. Holden was the first to market with a driver's airbag. The next year, Ford comes out with its own variant, except it's standard on all EFs and uses three sensors rather than one. The year after that, Holden comes out with a front passenger airbag. Later that year, Ford follow suit with the EF II, but Ford's airbag covers the front middle position as well (even if no seat is fitted).

You can say the same about transmissions (4 speed autos, 6 speed manuals). There's nothing wrong with being a follower if you do it better.

Oh, and don't forget that with the XB, 4 wheel discs were optional across the range (standard on GT and LTD) and front wheel discs were standard across the range. With the XC, 4 wheel discs were standard on Fairmont GXL (XB Fairmont equivalent) and Fairlane (both 500 and Marquis).

You can use the same argument for the front suspsension too. Holden continued with the crappy McPherson struts until VZ, and still use a modified version of it now, while Falcon has used the superior wishbone front suspension since EA, with the FG taking it further with a virtual pivot design with a front mounted steering rack.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

My GT is through BMW finance ......

Ford dealer used Mercedes Benz Finance for mine and my mates vehicles.
==============================


Not sure if it has been said I heard today the new VF will have aluminum bonnet and boot-lid.
Maybe a cost saving or weight saving exercise, probably both.

[Auslandau]

Well its worth it ..... especially when the bank say Pffffftt .... cant match that. Some of the finance through the dealers can be surprisingly good. Even if they don't advertise a special, mine was cheaper than that XR6 deal. SO much easier as well, especially with the crap you need to go through with a bank.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Ford dealer used Mercedes Benz Finance for mine and my mates vehicles.
==============================


Not sure if it has been said I heard today the new VF will have aluminum bonnet and boot-lid.
Maybe a cost saving or weight saving exercise, probably both.

Definately not a cost saving measure, aluminium panels are more expensive than steel, but its ok cause the government is paying for this under the old green car investment scheme.

Can't really see how saving a rumoured 14kg is worth the extra cost though.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Can't really see how saving a rumoured 14kg is worth the extra cost though.

-"green" cred
-Media exposure, it will become a talking point amongst the journos..."Ford still persist with steel..."

[nstg8a]

Yeah 14kg seems kinda like the proverbial drop in the ocean when your talking about cars that are getting ever closer to the 2 ton mark. But I guess a saving is a saving....

[FPV GTHO]

It's 14kg from an important area at least - up high and at the front. Perhaps the only better place would be the roof or the wheels.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Definately not a cost saving measure, aluminium panels are more expensive than steel, but its ok cause the government is paying for this under the old green car investment scheme.

Can't really see how saving a rumoured 14kg is worth the extra cost though.

I'm not sure what your point is in referencing the green car fund. Falcon Ecoboost was done on that scheme too and if you are looking at return on taxpayers investment I'm not sure how you can argue that was a better investment?

Certainly there will be a lot more VF's on the road then Ecoboost Falcon will ever sell.

For the record both seem like perfectly legitimate funding opportunities to me for that funds criteria.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Not sure if it has been said I heard today the new VF will have aluminum bonnet and boot-lid.

Insurance pricing might be interesting for this car.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

I'm not sure what your point is in referencing the green car fund. Falcon Ecoboost was done on that scheme too and if you are looking at return on taxpayers investment I'm not sure how you can argue that was a better investment?

Certainly there will be a lot more VF's on the road then Ecoboost Falcon will ever sell.

For the record both seem like perfectly legitimate funding opportunities to me for that funds criteria.

A 14kg weight saving may save a thimble full of fuel per 100 km. Hardly makes the car green. Ecoboost was a 20% fuel saving.

[Auslandau]

Yes ... but its the marketing that goes along with it. Aluminium .... new age (used for years but who cares) light weight, more power, less petrol .... blah blah. Marketeers dream!

[nstg8a]

Imagine an alloy bonnet in a hail storm..

Insurance will be inserting, as noted above.

When its something a little exotic or un common they wouldn't care, maybe because the insurance is already higher than average, but something as mainstream as a commodore using alloy will be getting the accountants working overtime at the insurance companies.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Imagine an alloy bonnet in a hail storm..

Insurance will be inserting, as noted above.

When its something a little exotic or un common they wouldn't care, maybe because the insurance is already higher than average, but something as mainstream as a commodore using alloy will be getting the accountants working overtime at the insurance companies.

Dattos have an Ali bonnet. I never had a problem with either rocks or hail.

[music189]

Originally Posted by flappist

Dattos have an Ali bonnet. I never had a problem with either rocks or hail.

the SL Pagoda roof Benzs from the late 60's through to the early 70's had alloy bonnets,bootlids and I think the door skins as well.they were tough as.

thats what SL stood for, super light, whatever that is in german

[IDT]

How about they don't do a thing. Turn a new page and ban any development that may be construed as competing with Commodore. They need to go their own way! Screw commodore

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Nikked

-"green" cred
-Media exposure, it will become a talking point amongst the journos..."Ford still persist with steel..."

"The new VF Commodore uses Aluminium boot lid and bonnet, as opposed to the Falcon's steel ones... increasing the already large gap between the two vehicles, technology wise."

Or something along those lines. Signed: Joshua Dowling.

[zoomie]

Originally Posted by flappist

Dattos have an Ali bonnet. I never had a problem with either rocks or hail.

My old EVO X had an alloy bonnet, front guards and roof.
They seemed pretty tough but alloy panels can be a bit of a nightmare for a lot of crash repairs to fix/repair (more so the roof skin than the easy to replace bolt on panels).

[Cambo351]

Aluminium is great (my XJR is completely aluminium & it weighs only 1665KG) but sure is expensive to manufacture.

Ally bonnets make sense from a weight distribution point of view, a lot of manufacturers have had alloy front panels on steel chassis for years.

Cost more to repair? Maybe, but who repairs bonnets these days? They just buy a new one.

Oh and SL is for Sport Leicht (Lightweight Sport)

[Auslandau]

My old Bush Basher Range Rover was Aluminium ...... had plenty of dings! Best thing is was cheap as hell to fix as instead of a panel beater, took it to someone who repaired buses and cost near on nothing to respray

[DFB FGXR6]

I've just noticed on Fords website that the XR6 and XR6 Turbo as well as the G6E have been gifted new alloy wheel designs. XR's have lost the "Y"-Spoke 18's for a smaller looking set of double 5-spoke 18's. The G6E has lost the old G6ET 18's for a set of multi-spoke 18's. Not really a response to the VF but something to freshen things up.....

[Selwonk]

How about ford put backlights on the steering wheel controls and decent radio reception

[fou_bleu]

Q: Fords answer to VF Commodore?

A: 2014 update

/thread

[crunchbunty]

My Prediction: Ford release a series three XR range that the average consumer can't tell from a BA. They don't advertise it unless the ads are really left-wing hairy-fairy.
Underneath the same-old, same old, exterior there will be further revision to drivetrain and NVH. Car will ultimately be superior to competition, but this will not be advertised, either.
Change CEO's twice before update is realeased onto an unsuspecting and unaware market (CEO's need to go in order of 'Passionate Aussie,' Yankee bean counter, Passionate Aussie, Yankee Bean counter)

Finally, Ford releases an television ad where John Farnham tells the driver that he represents mother nature and wants to hug him everytime he fills up his falcon, then dissapears, only to reappear in the rear view mirror launching into a 30 second monologue about the new teflon coated glovebox handle.

Meanwhile, Holden ads a stripe (a charcoal stripe - that is one shade darker than gunmetal) to the final runout VE's and outsells falcon 4:1.

sales of Chew badges on eBay go through the roof.

[rdmr]

^cynical much. Very funny however. Let's hope it doesn't go that way.

They need a new ute ad where the latest FG ute rocks up at a retirement home, faceless driver (in a ford uniform) gets out to visit a couple of old mates. Goes up to them on the verandah and asks if they want to take it for a ride. Who are the two old guys on the verandah? The two guys we used to love from the AU XR8 ute ads.

[chookaradley]

Obviously been some major developments since we last visited this thread, but I thought the question still stood.

Will Ford offer anything to whatever potential buyers it has left in the next 12-14 months until the update. I see the warranty is now 5 years 200,000km. Will we see a more agressive price reduction, and or limited edition models?. Or do Ford simply not give a stuff

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by chookaradley

Obviously been some major developments since we last visited this thread, but I thought the question still stood.

Will Ford offer anything to whatever potential buyers it has left in the next 12-14 months until the update. I see the warranty is now 5 years 200,000km. Will we see a more agressive price reduction, and or limited edition models?. Or do Ford simply not give a stuff

Interesting point.
We often focus too heavily on Falcon's perceived deficiencies and areas where it cannot match VF
but what about all the extras for 2014 and the new look that do bring Falcon into line?

Sure maybe park assist and EPAS may not be there but, good looks and plenty of aligned features
will surely bring Falcon back into alignment with the VF, aggressive looks could put Falcon back on buyer lists.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Definately not a cost saving measure, aluminium panels are more expensive than steel, but its ok cause the government is paying for this under the old green car investment scheme.

Can't really see how saving a rumoured 14kg is worth the extra cost though.

having had a truck with an aluminum cab , i think it is over rated myself, a bit less weight is a good thing, but you lose some of the qualities steel has imo, and for those think alloy can't corrode, i can tell you in the right circumstances it can.