Is The Falcon Going The Way Of The Dodo?

[Guest XR09]

That or they could start shipping our iconic utes to the states and other places. And start making the required sales. Seriously when my family comes out they bloody dribble all over the FPV and more so the HSV utes. Did HSV send any utes over there when they sold it as a Pontiac ??? Would love to know.

I seriously think that Ford and GM global want our end to fail. That way we have to take more of their product. But they don't. Ford Aus keeps making a profit. Even Expensive Daewoo made 100 mil profit this last financial. And they give half their stock away at cost or less. I guess the question is do they make money on the local product or the re-badged Hywooo's ???

Our cars are pretty close to world class. A touch more refinement and they are truly up there.

Sorry I am ranting. But it really gives me the shoites. People losing their jobs, Voluntary redundancies. Yeah just like with Aus post. Take it or lose most of your hours. Voluntary no choice in it.

A Merc is just a Falcon in Munich. An Audi is a great wall.

My uncles new 3 series has been back at the shop more than he has had it in six months. The dash panels don't meet up any better than my FG and the glitches in the electronics phfft. And his wifes Golf.... ha ha. try $1,200 for a basic service and new wiper blades.

I think technically and engineering wise we are very very close. They just need more refinement and care taken with assembly. Better QC. But even if they did Ford US would find a way to stuff it up for them.

[Pazzo]

the yanks love the falcon and fpv ute's. my cousins from the state's, each time they come here take pics to bring home. and go on youtube where the xr6T video's are and just read some of there comments about our cars. and im pretty sure there is a aussie racing a ba xr8 drag ute there. they are called RDP motorsport. type in RDP motorsport twinturbo ute.

[Guest XR09]

It's official. General Motors says the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST has been canceled. Pontiac spokesperson Jim Hopson said, "In today's market, it simply doesn't make financial sense to go ahead with the vehicle." Even when first unveiled, the G8 ST was promoted as a niche vehicle. Sales volumes were forecast at only around 5,000 units annually.

Seems the majority of yanks either want a truck or a sedan. Remember this is the stupid country that made the F250 the worlds biggest selling car a few years ago.

Funny to read some of the comments by the readers below the article http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/01/2010-pontiac-g8.html

[CSP]

9 to10 lt per 100k's in an oil burning terry on the highway sucks. I am doing 70% highway and the rest around town in my FG and getting 9.4

where did you get 9-10 lt/100? drive.com.au??? thought so.

Thankfully for me, I am able to spend allot of time in these cars prior to release and media dribble (especially drive.com.au who have an agenda it seems), and make my own informed judgment. Your figure of 9-10 lt/100 is just regurgitated media info without your own experience. I can tell you from my real world experience, that they will do much better than that and are far more efficient that the previous Territory, which is the whole point. And comparing to your FG??? WTF?

[Guest XR09]

Oh and how do I get MY OWN opinion when they are not out yet numb nuts. Least the oil leaks may stop it being the first ford not to rust out in a few years. Oh have they fixed those too ???? We had the 2.7 in the disco so I know it well. And it's faults.

[boostedsix]

You cant compare a Petrol to a Diesel they both behave very differently.

A diesel territory is a great idea imo. Power figures for the diesel may only be 140 kw but I bet they make up for it in torque which is why its such a great idea for a heavy vehicle, theres a reason they use diesels to pull 150tonne in road trains, even more in loco's and alot more than that in supertankers.

[Guest XR09]

Nah my point being that we are getting 9 to 10's out of the 2.7 in the disco and it is 2.8 ton and five years old.

My Fg on the scales is 1740 and getting those figures so I would expect better from the diesel if I was outlaying thousands more for it in the first place. You would be better off going the I6 on gas.

And why do Ford think the media have a vendetta against them ???? The guy drove the car and said what figures he was getting. He had to stay down at 80 to get the 8.5 that Ford claims. Sheeesus.

It's a tough segment that they are aiming at with the Terry. And it is going to have to be better than good to survive.

[CSP]

XR09 - ahhh so now you are trying to extrapolate your experience with a 5yr old Disco that weighs a fair bit more than a Territory and think it will perform just as badly. I've got news for you, it craps on the Disco for performance and economy. Believe what you choose, I've driven them, I choose not to believe the flog writing for drive.com.au. I have my own experience that goes way against what he has written and many will back it up when they buy them and start getting their km's on the clock.

All I'm saying is that 1 media outlet with their one test doesn't necessarily mean that's the be all and end all...give it a chance, writing it off before even giving it a go is a bit harsh don't you think? did you look at other reviews from goauto, carpoint, themotorreport, caradvice etc etc? They ALL go against drive's experience and achieve much better figures and state that Ford's figures are believable, I believe the same.

[dule]

If your discovery can get 9 than territory should have no issues achieving 8. You can not expect the two to have the same consumption.

[Guest XR09]

Nah mate. What I am saying is that YOUR job depends on this being a great product.

Otherwise you will be just unwrapping and cleaning all the imports they bring in. Just look at the sales figures of the local product to the imported Fords. And the 1,700 falcons to 4300 Commo's. And neither topping the charts.

Jo average that buys these cars is not going to stay local if he can buy something with all the bells and whistles for less.

Ford's that'll do em attitude just doesn't cut it these days. It's too much of a competitive market these days, and loyalty is an even rarer commodity.

Edited 19/04/11 05:02 AM by XR09