July 2005 Car Sales

[russellw]

The statistical data and commentary are available HERE

[Hawk]

Thanks, as usual Russ. I love looking at it graphically!

[paul7v7]

thanks russ.
worse thing about this month is the dismal performance of both terris and falcons. my god the corrolla even beat the falcon.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Territory has seriously hurt Falcon sales...

The amount of people going from Falcons to Territories is frightening, you really have to question yourself whether the Territory was worth it as what its made alot has been lost in the Falcon segment.

I think the writing is on the wall and the BA has just about had its use by date... For Ford to get the Falcon numbers back up there they are going to have to do some serious fighting when the Mark III appears later this year..... There has to be something wrong for Holden to still be infront considering what their car has to offer compared with the Falcon..

[Danny]

I'm Apalled by the Fiesta's sales. Thats crazy as they are a great car, but I think that its how they're priced that hurts them. They are more a premium hatch rather than the no frills kind of car like echo or getz.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Danny

I'm Apalled by the Fiesta's sales. Thats crazy as they are a great car, but I think that its how they're priced that hurts them. They are more a premium hatch rather than the no frills kind of car like echo or getz.

I think you're right there, was talking to NCS today and they were saying that Mazda2/3 are also jumping in on Fez buyers a bit. Corolla is also something people are looking at. The Fez' are doing quite well down here but that said I was at the Mazda dealership a few days back, all their floorstock is sold but cant be taken until new display models arrive and they're backlogged for vehicles ordered up to 2 months ago. Seems like everybody is liking the new Mazdas too.

[MeestaNob!]

The price isn't that bad on the Fiesta, the public awareness of the model IS.

How Ford can go so long without actually advertising the damn thing is staggering. Ford, PULL YOUR DAMN FINGER OUT. People aint gonna think about buying a car if they dont know it ing exists.

[WASP]

Ford know that the Fiesta is not priced ideally to complete strongly in that market space. Buyers in that market space are very price driven and won't make a purchasing desicion just because they like the car. They may like it but the other cheaper alternatives will do the job won't they?? type of thinking...

No point throwing good money at an advertising campaign that will mostly likey entertain, but fail to call to action. Better to work on getting the pricing right (if profitable) and then develop a campaign to change buyer perceptions about the brand.

[buickman]

Originally Posted by paul7v7

thanks russ.
worse thing about this month is the dismal performance of both terris and falcons. my god the corrolla even beat the falcon.

The AU's got a bagging for being done in the sales race against commodors. But at least they hung onto second spot.
But the lastest ugly nosed Toyota Corollas doing the BA's by nearly a 1,000 units & the Mazda 3 with supply problems are breathing down the BA's neck plus the price of fuel lately ford might have the Falcon slip futher down the list.
Ford better hope the Focus sells better this time around with the new models

buickman

[Franky]

I would seriously consider making the fiesta as cheap as possible to compete with the Getz. If not it may be in their interests to find a cheaper model because as soon as Holden's Daewoo/Barina hits the market, then we'll see the Fiesta going extinct.

People buying a small car are only after one thing... a bargin. Nobody gives a sh*t whether a small car is built in Germany or if it's built in Mexico, as long as it's cheap and looks somewhat respectable it will sell. Until Ford learn this then their small cars will not match the competitors. On the positive side, at least the Focus is getting some attention on tv now

[XAGSV8]

From what I heard there was external company's that were having strikes and this put Fords production line out for five days.

Originally Posted by buickman

The AU's got a bagging for being done in the sales race against commodors. But at least they hung onto second spot.

No actually. The Hyuandai Excell did it to the AU as well.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by GSWXA

From what I heard there was external company's that were having strikes and this put Fords production line out for five days.

It was 3 days and it didn't affect numbers as the sales were low anyway, no need to build cars when no one is buying them.