My new GT and a rant about Ford !

[westy73]

Hi All,

I wanted to share that I have just received my new 2014 GT and am tickled pink. This car is a beast and I cannot believe I am now a GT owner!!!

What I also cannot believe is that this is the last of them apart from the GT-F still to be released. Why Ford WHY ??

I can still remember when I was a youngster and the old man brought home his new Australian made Falcons, Fairmonts or Fairlanes. I was awestruck by these cars and it really let the Blue Blood seep into my veins. Now as the curtain comes down on this era of the Falcon it got me wondering about my own young kids. In particular the reaction I got from my eldest boy who is now 6 and is a car nut just like me. In particular a Ford Nut of course.

When my wife and I drove up the driveway in the GT the reaction from my boy and his younger brother and older sister was priceless. But for me it was tinged with sadness. Because it was all with the knowledge in the back of my head that my kids (if they should choose to drive Ford's in the future) would never have the feeling that I have just experienced. I own what I consider to be the pinnacle of the Falcon and the engineering around that platform is just world class. I saw this sense of wonderment and sense of total unabated excitement from the kids. It reminded me of what it was like when I grew up and had the exact same feelings when the old man was able to upgrade.

So when Ford USA decided to ditch the Australian made Falcon with it dies this generational excitement as my kids will now never get to own a Falcon or GT unless it's secondhand. It's all about the history that is tied in with this car and is the reason this car resonates such passion in me. An American, or Thai or South African import cannot compete with that as Falcon is an ingrained Australian born and bred car that has the runs on the board but simply lacks the imagination from the makers to recreate this same wonderment for future generations. It's BS to say it doesn't sell. My response to that is MAKE it sell !!

I for one can now testify to the fact that the GT goes out with a bang and I can also say I wish Ford USA had the foresight to keep an Aussie CEO at the helm all these years with similar passion to Geoff Polites as I believe with the right willpower, imagination, marketing and design this car could indeed make its mark for another 50 years. But alas not to be.

I will leave you with a remark from my boy when we pulled away from a standing start out onto the main road from where we live. I tickled the GT ever so slightly and felt just a small fraction of the torque on offer and he said......."Now that's what I am talking about!". Gotta love kids.

Cheers,
Westy

PS. Not sure how I can upload a pic of the car but will see if I can.

[westy73]

Not sure if this has attached a pic or not.MyGT.jpg

[XBGTFGGTP]

Originally Posted by westy73

Not sure if this has attached a pic or not.Attachment 82892

Very nice, I fully understand what you are saying as I have had lots of Falcons. It will be a sad day when the last Falcon rolls down the line as they are older than me and I have always being a Falcon person. My youngest son just loves the R-Spec and any opportunity to go in it he will, now I have seen the picture of your car I cant wait for my Octane GTF to arrive as I know its the last of the GT Falcons and this car will be with me for life.

[westy73]

Originally Posted by XBGTFGGTP

Very nice, I fully understand what you are saying as I have had lots of Falcons. It will be a sad day when the last Falcon rolls down the line as they are older than me and I have always being a Falcon person. My youngest son just loves the R-Spec and any opportunity to go in it he will, now I have seen the picture of your car I cant wait for my Octane GTF to arrive as I know its the last of the GT Falcons and this car will be with me for life.

Wow lucky bugger a GT-F. That's unreal and the colour just sends out a message of here I come !! They are unreal cars and I am a Falcon man till the day I die, also with my Octane GT which will make it a great life !!

[2011G6E]

Huh...I remember when it was the end of the world, the collapse of civilisation, when the last Kingswood was sold and them funny Euro-based thingies with Holden badges started getting sold here...

I also remember the people complaining bitterly when the "little" XD took over from the XC, even though it had as much interior room because of better packaging.


Fords will still be sold here, just one slow-selling unpopular model won't be available any longer.


Love the look of that GT you're getting...look after it, and don't fall into the trap of seeing it as an "investment". They might be the last ones, but they're still just a fancy Falcon. I know a couple of guys with nice older cars that refuse to drive them apart from a couple of sunny days a year, saying if they run up the kilometers it will "ruin the value". When you say "Oh...are you planning to sell it?", they say "Oh no, it's never getting sold!".
Well drive it and enjoy it...if you aren't planning on selling it, it's only real "value" is its value in pleasure that you get out of using it...

Nothing sadder than a performance car sitting under a sheet getting lovingly polished once a month but never turning a wheel in the real world...

[westy73]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Huh...I remember when it was the end of the world, the collapse of civilisation, when the last Kingswood was sold and them funny Euro-based thingies with Holden badges started getting sold here...

I also remember the people complaining bitterly when the "little" XD took over from the XC, even though it had as much interior room because of better packaging.


Fords will still be sold here, just one slow-selling unpopular model won't be available any longer.


Love the look of that GT you're getting...look after it, and don't fall into the trap of seeing it as an "investment". They might be the last ones, but they're still just a fancy Falcon. I know a couple of guys with nice older cars that refuse to drive them apart from a couple of sunny days a year, saying if they run up the kilometers it will "ruin the value". When you say "Oh...are you planning to sell it?", they say "Oh no, it's never getting sold!".
Well drive it and enjoy it...if you aren't planning on selling it, it's only real "value" is its value in pleasure that you get out of using it...

Nothing sadder than a performance car sitting under a sheet getting lovingly polished once a month but never turning a wheel in the real world...

Too right with you latter comments. This will be looked after but will NOT be an investment as it is something I have been trying to get for a long time. I am savoring driving it though and it goes great. Everything now feels like it's in slow motion !!

[T-Pak Addict]

Originally Posted by westy73

Not sure if this has attached a pic or not.Attachment 82892

And such an awesome colour too

[madmelon]

Here's a suggestion as to why: Ford Australia produces cars at a rate that would compete with Ferrari or Lamborghini but are forced to charge prices that would compete with Mazda or Toyota. To be economically sustainable either the price would have to rise massively (which most certainly isn't justified by the product) or the volume would- and we've seen that Australian consumers in particular and global consumers generally are turning away from larger vehicles.

[westy73]

Originally Posted by madmelon

Here's a suggestion as to why: Ford Australia produces cars at a rate that would compete with Ferrari or Lamborghini but are forced to charge prices that would compete with Mazda or Toyota. To be economically sustainable either the price would have to rise massively (which most certainly isn't justified by the product) or the volume would- and we've seen that Australian consumers in particular and global consumers generally are turning away from larger vehicles.

Yep but in my humble opinion it comes down to product management or more specifically marketing. You have to allow consumers to see what you offer. Can't remember the last time I saw an ad for a Falcon, GT or anything locally made by Ford.
We are being force fed imports and marketing of those products far exceeds anything local. You can make of it what you will but if you have the balls to back your product and you care enough to display their benefits I reckon you would sell them. Remember EcoBoost ? When the government didn't even bother to buy them even though they were fit for purpose why would general consumers.
Anyway I have my GT for life (yippee!) so I am a happy camper but the joy of owning it will never be experienced by my kids which I reckon is just sad.

[Focused]

Originally Posted by westy73

Yep but in my humble opinion it comes down to product management or more specifically marketing. You have to allow consumers to see what you offer. Can't remember the last time I saw an ad for a Falcon, GT or anything locally made by Ford.
We are being force fed imports and marketing of those products far exceeds anything local. You can make of it what you will but if you have the balls to back your product and you care enough to display their benefits I reckon you would sell them. Remember EcoBoost ? When the government didn't even bother to buy them even though they were fit for purpose why would general consumers.
Anyway I have my GT for life (yippee!) so I am a happy camper but the joy of owning it will never be experienced by my kids which I reckon is just sad.

You must remember that all large cars are on the nose so it's not just Ford's marketing that's been the problem. Holden is giving VFs away, the 380 is dead and the Aurion is selling very poorly. The issue isn't Ford at all, it's the fact that the market just doesn't want large cars any more.

[westy73]

Originally Posted by Focused

You must remember that all large cars are on the nose so it's not just Ford's marketing that's been the problem. Holden is giving VFs away, the 380 is dead and the Aurion is selling very poorly. The issue isn't Ford at all, it's the fact that the market just doesn't want large cars any more.

Ok but aren't Rangers selling in numbers ? They are larger than the Falcon last time I looked. So it's not large cars that's the problem it's simply marketing and presenting your products in the best light they can be shown. The Falcon hasn't had decent marketing since the BA falcon was released. Let's face it the only reason this is the case is because Ford OZ has become a simple add-on arm of Ford USA and hence all decision making has been stripped from Ford OZ.
The Falcon would sell in numbers if people were shown in their best light and all their strong points given to discerning buyers. The perception driven by motoring media has spawned this new age of jelly-mould motoring. God help us all.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by westy73

Ok but aren't Rangers selling in numbers ? They are larger than the Falcon last time I looked.

Because the Ranger can go where the Falcon can't. Large four door sedans are the market that's shrinking, not large cars in general.

Originally Posted by westy73

The Falcon would sell in numbers if people were shown in their best light and all their strong points given to discerning buyers.

I think that's wishful thinking at best.

Recently I looked back at an older issue of Wheels - can't remember which, but it covered the launch of the AU Falcon, which was the new Falcon that almost didn't happen. Even in its heyday when Falcon was the number 1 selling car in Australia, the Falcon didn't sell in large enough numbers to have a significant impact on the overall global market, but was, however, "simply too significant to ignore" (or words to that effect).

Now that the numbers have dwindled to even more insignificant levels, I don't think anybody can make a business case for them anymore. Even if Falcon were to sell in greater numbers than they do today, it's highly unlikely - in fact, nigh on impossible - that it will sell as many FHs as they did the EF/EL. They'd be lucky to get within a tenth of that.

Advertising isn't going to change any of that. I think we're deluding ourselves if we think that it will. The return on investment into advertising just isn't there.

[monte.b]

Originally Posted by Focused

You must remember that all large cars are on the nose so it's not just Ford's marketing that's been the problem. Holden is giving VFs away, the 380 is dead and the Aurion is selling very poorly. The issue isn't Ford at all, it's the fact that the market just doesn't want large cars any more.

If large cars are on the nose how come the big land barges are selling so well ,like toyoto and patrols and all the rest of the horrible 4x4 things ,even on the gold coast they are everywhere ,its like a badge of honor ,i think ford was closed because the yanks want to sell world cars that are all the same and will be made in china or india shortly .its all about the money ,nothing else

[XBGTFGGTP]

Originally Posted by monte.b

If large cars are on the nose how come the big land barges are selling so well ,like toyoto and patrols and all the rest of the horrible 4x4 things ,even on the gold coast they are everywhere ,its like a badge of honor ,i think ford was closed because the yanks want to sell world cars that are all the same and will be made in china or india shortly .its all about the money ,nothing else

Quite simple, those barges are more versatile than a 4 door sedan. At the end of the day the market has changed and people want different things from cars now

[Phyber]

The large sedans that people do buy are the Euros, they can afford the perceived petrol costs to own a full size comfort cruising car, with all the fruit. Looks better to your friends than driving a hatch!

I see plenty of large Mercs and BMWs about.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Phyber

The large sedans that people do buy are the Euros,

I see plenty of large Mercs and BMWs about.

Me too. Most are 2.0 diesels though

[Gadgetman]

Originally Posted by westy73

We are being force fed imports and marketing of those products far exceeds anything local.

Firstly, Congrats on taking delivery of you new GT. You have done what I really admire which is someone putting their money into what remains of Australian manufacturing. Well done!! Cracker of a car.

I wanted to highlight your quote (above) as it is incorrect. Consumers don't get force fed into cars. I first started selling cars in the 90's. Back then, consumers thought the norm was to buy a falcon or a commodore and if you dared to buy something different, you bought a magna. They weren't force fed those cars, they just didn't have many other options back then. Ever since Australia got to become a million car a year country that was intent on reducing tariffs on imported cars, the writing was on the wall. Fast forward to now and people aren't being force fed cars. We just buy what suits us at a damn good price cause the competitive nature of dealers in Australia allows for that to happen. Just evolution I suppose.

[westy73]

Originally Posted by Gadgetman

Firstly, Congrats on taking delivery of you new GT. You have done what I really admire which is someone putting their money into what remains of Australian manufacturing. Well done!! Cracker of a car.

I wanted to highlight your quote (above) as it is incorrect. Consumers don't get force fed into cars. I first started selling cars in the 90's. Back then, consumers thought the norm was to buy a falcon or a commodore and if you dared to buy something different, you bought a magna. They weren't force fed those cars, they just didn't have many other options back then. Ever since Australia got to become a million car a year country that was intent on reducing tariffs on imported cars, the writing was on the wall. Fast forward to now and people aren't being force fed cars. We just buy what suits us at a damn good price cause the competitive nature of dealers in Australia allows for that to happen. Just evolution I suppose.

Thanks Gadgetman it is a great car. Love it.

However I still do feel we get force fed smaller cars and imports for the exact reasons you highlighted. Our protections for our own manufacturing were dismantled. This is not unreasonable to expect we should be able to make things I believe. Sure import stuff but that should be at a premium. No other markets allow our imports to slip straight in untaxed. So it is simplistic to think people have more choice because they wanted it. It's more a case of governments have a larger agenda we can't quite comprehend and the less smarter and less patriotic we are as a nation the better.

[anto]

I don't remember anyone complaining about the XD,...they were large and in charge.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by anto

I don't remember anyone complaining about the XD,...they were large and in charge.

Compared to the average parking lot at the time full of Kingswoods, Valiants, and XC's, they appeared to be fairly medium sized.

[jmack]

Talking about size perception. When I had my vhsle many years ago I had the dash out at one stage and happen to sit it on my xw and couldn't believe nearly perfect fit between front pillars

[XD 351 Ute]

Great post Westy, and I love your new GT, it looks sweet.

The saddest thing of all this, irrespective of what may remain afterward, is that Ford have not only given up on the Falcon, but they have given up on Ford AUSTRALIA....

There's been a million different posts, threads, comments etc, by so many people, and it's probably fair to say that there are a multitude of factors that have created what we are now seeing with the demise of not only our auto industry, but others and so be it.

But getting back to the topic, the current FG GT is a great car, and like you I am happy to see the effort going into them.

Enjoy your new ride, and the smile it puts on you and your kids faces!

Ed

[westy73]

Originally Posted by XD 351 Ute

Great post Westy, and I love your new GT, it looks sweet.

The saddest thing of all this, irrespective of what may remain afterward, is that Ford have not only given up on the Falcon, but they have given up on Ford AUSTRALIA....

There's been a million different posts, threads, comments etc, by so many people, and it's probably fair to say that there are a multitude of factors that have created what we are now seeing with the demise of not only our auto industry, but others and so be it.

But getting back to the topic, the current FG GT is a great car, and like you I am happy to see the effort going into them.

Enjoy your new ride, and the smile it puts on you and your kids faces!

Ed

Thanks Ed. I am going to love this car for the rest of my life guaranteed !!
This will stand alone for me as the best Ford I have owned. It is superb to drive, and I am the one smiling even as other cars go past down the highway. Probably looks dumb but I don't care I really do love this car. It means more to me than words can describe and it has been a long time in the making.
I just want to suck in every goddamn kilometre that I drive it and make the trip last longer. I am with you Ford OZ are totally being forgotten. I won't be able to buy a large car any more which is just criminal but I won't care now as I have the GT. What sticks in my craw is that Ford simply swiped away all that history with one pen stroke and in the process killed dreams that could be had by my kids and their kids. WE AREN"T AMERICANS people. We are Aussies and should be proud to be Aussies. I know I am and I put my dosh out on the table to show that fact.

[GTP-814]

unfortunately perception of car size has killed the falcon. If you look at wheelbase or overall dimensions of say the Mazda 6 or camry there is bugger all difference, but one is called medium and the other large. The perception is that large cars are heavy and thrsty. The marketing by jap car makers have done a good job in coning people that their cars are small against the Aussi cars

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by GTP-814

unfortunately perception of car size has killed the falcon. If you look at wheelbase or overall dimensions of say the Mazda 6 or camry there is bugger all difference, but one is called medium and the other large. The perception is that large cars are heavy and thrsty. The marketing by jap car makers have done a good job in coning people that their cars are small against the Aussi cars

Agree there regarding the Camry... hated driving the new one we hired. "free upgrade" ... these things are huge, and boxy, almost a perfect 90degree angle on each corner. No longer the 'medium car' they used to be.

Couldn't wait to hand it back. Don't mind the older one with the curved corners, probably still roughly the same size, but the missing corners probably help with the turning radius.

The GT looks great, sad to see them go. Wish I was in a position to buy a new one!

[westy73]

Originally Posted by GTP-814

unfortunately perception of car size has killed the falcon. If you look at wheelbase or overall dimensions of say the Mazda 6 or camry there is bugger all difference, but one is called medium and the other large. The perception is that large cars are heavy and thrsty. The marketing by jap car makers have done a good job in coning people that their cars are small against the Aussi cars

Yes the perception is the problem. And Ford OZ haven't corrected that perception and so it continued to be propagated in the media. I have driven BA Falcons and later model Territories in the real world. They aren't as thirsty as one would think. I have brothers who have BA XR6 Turbo's and FG Turbo's and utes of the same ilk and if driven normally the fuel mileage is astounding. I am talking in the 7 L/100 range here. On the other hand if you put your foot into it all the time the mileage is crap. But what the hell would you expect if you tromped any car all the time.

Just for reference I did a highway run in the GT of over 200km's and fueled up and got 9.7 L/100. So by any standards I would say that's pretty damn good for a V8. On the other hand if I give it the beans I reckon I could expect 14L/100 so really it's about how you sell the damn cars and Ford Australia really haven't got a clue and is also a contributor to why the Falcon has died.

[Wolfinsheepsclothing]

it's a pity both ford and fpv are finishing, would of been nice if they just kept FPV going as a scaled down manufactory plant(just GT and F6's)

[HULK_I6T]

the government is to blame.

Years back government departments would only buy commodore and falcon, all the fleet sales were holden and ford. even historically private sales were a low percentage of the total sales.

Then a few years back government departments started buying camry, lancer even. From there the writing was on the wall. It should have been mandatory for government departments to buy aussie made cars.

Agree that the GT is a great car, as is the falcon but the brutal truth is that noone outside of this niche community wants them, there is also a stereotype that goes with driving a falcon.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by HULK_I6T

the government is to blame.

Years back government departments would only buy commodore and falcon, all the fleet sales were holden and ford. even historically private sales were a low percentage of the total sales.

Then a few years back government departments started buying camry, lancer even. From there the writing was on the wall. It should have been mandatory for government departments to buy aussie made cars.

Agree that the GT is a great car, as is the falcon but the brutal truth is that noone outside of this niche community wants them, there is also a stereotype that goes with driving a falcon.

Yeah and them not buying them " despite some fords being developed right up their alley". Was the least of the things the govco STUFFED up!

[Motorbreath310]

Is it just me, or is Octane a great colour?

Octane, Dash, Velvet, Mystic, Breeze, Blueprint (not a fan of Nitro) were all wicked colours.

Have they started painting the front bumper inserts in the same dark argent shade as the F6's now? Looks a lot better than the light grey/silver.