jpd80 Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 (edited) I have a Focus hatchback, Fusion hatch or wagon would be an obvious next step for me, I'd be all over that. Hybrid Fusion Wagon = sex. It would be great to see a Fusion S/W and Hatch in the USA, especially with Flat Rock coming on stream. Two years ago it would have been a risky venture but with a resurgent North American market , I think Ford could pick up one or both to add that all important incremental value.. Edited February 4, 2013 by jpd80 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfeg Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Odds of a Fusion hatch or wagon, or even a Focus wagon in the US are about nil. AMong several reasons: They would compete with CUVs, which supposedly have better margins. The new CAFE standards favor CUVs and SUVs over traditional cars. A CUV has more leeway than a car in the form of a station wagon. With that said, I would prefer a wagon myself. The Fusion wagon pictured earlier has a more elegant, balanced look than any Ford CUV other than the Flex. The wagon looks "complete" where a CUV, such as the Edge just looks like the designers just lost interest after the rear doors - it looks stubby. And I do not want to single out the Edge, because to me the vast majority of CUVs look cut off or stubby in the rear - sort of Gremlinesque (Yea, I am dating myself). The only current CUVs that do not have the stubby look in the rear are the new Escape and the Flex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 They would compete with CUVs, which supposedly have better margins. The new CAFE standards favor CUVs and SUVs over traditional cars. A CUV has more leeway than a car in the form of a station wagon. I think you might be wrong about that...I know the PT Cruiser (more or less a station wagon) was counted as a truck instead of a passenger vehicle when it came to the EPA ratings. As for margins...if the Station wagon and Hatchbacks can pay their own way in sales numbers, I don't see an issue with offering them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfeg Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 I think you might be wrong about that...I know the PT Cruiser (more or less a station wagon) was counted as a truck instead of a passenger vehicle when it came to the EPA ratings. It was specifically configured as a truck type vehicle just for that reason. But that was under the old rules. The recent rules are stricter on vehicles designated as cars than on vehicles designated as CUVs/SUVs. There have been several articles published on this - it is one of the reasons that Volve dropped wagons but kept the XC models. The XCs are catagorized as CUVs and have a more generous CAFE requirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 I think the chance of US seeing the hatch eventually are quite good if Ford decides to export Mondeo from NAFTA zone to Europe. That means they will have to make the car here so they might as well sell it here. But if Ford sticks with the plan to make the Mondeo in Spain, then we probably won't see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 *sigh* We'll get it here one day, hopefully before Ford sales flat-line (as they are headed at this rate...) put the pipe down..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKII Posted February 4, 2013 Author Share Posted February 4, 2013 But if Ford sticks with the plan to make the Mondeo in Spain, then we probably won't see it. Ford has begun preparations at Valencia for the new Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy models. I read today that Ford announced the current Mondeo will end production at Genk October 2014, S-Max & Galaxy December 2014. Also announced today Ford will make a number of adjustments to the current Mondeo, S-Max & Galaxy to stimulate sales with some optimizations, which include other engines, design accents and option packages. They have an incentive to build another 123,000 cars per year to sell and produce in Genk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fou_bleu Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 put the pipe down..... As stated on the previous page, I'm talking about Australia here, not the U.S. Every month FoA sales are less and less, and there's nothing more to blame than de-contented, overpriced products and horrendous marketing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) As stated on the previous page, I'm talking about Australia here, not the U.S. Every month FoA sales are less and less, and there's nothing more to blame than de-contented, overpriced products and horrendous marketing. You never stated that and 2.9% finance was a huge success. Falcon and Territory sales were low because there was precious little 2012 stock around. The plant didn't restart until mid January and most '13 plates didn't arrive at dealerships until early last week. We must remember that Broadmeadows production is now limited to just over 3,000 vehicles a month and in a full month, they will only produce about 1400 each of Falcon and Territory and about 400 Utes. So with low stock levels and huge emphasis on Focus, something had to give.. Edited February 5, 2013 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fou_bleu Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 You never stated that and 2.9% finance was a huge success. Falcon and Territory sales were low because there was precious little 2012 stock around.The plant didn't restart until mid January and most '13 plates didn't arrive at dealerships until early last week. We must remember that Broadmeadows production is now limited to just over 3,000 vehicles a month and in a full month, they will only produce about 1400 each of Falcon and Territory and about 400 Utes. So with low stock levels and huge emphasis on Focus, something had to give.. I didn't say I stated it, pictor did. Besides, it's not as if my original comment was double-Dutch-Chinese, surely it's obvious that I was referring to "here" (Australia). Sales outside of the top 10 are a huge success for a campaign these days?! Blimey, things are grim! I only have access to the limited data that is posted here and on other forums - which 9/10 times is just the top 10. Every now and then a Ford model is in the bottom few - but rarely have I seen a stable position as other manufacturers seem to be able to replicate. If you could provide data that shows FoA sales aren't declining or flat-lining, that'd be helpful, but in the meantime there's little evidence for me to see the situation in any other way. "We must remember...." The production capacity of plants and import numbers aren't really common knowledge, are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 (edited) If you could provide data that shows FoA sales aren't declining or flat-lining, that'd be helpful, but in the meantime there's little evidence for me to see the situation in any other way. January 2013 Vs Jan 2012 Territory up 44% (1150 something Vs 808) Falcon down 16% (780 Vs 931) Focus up 50% Fiesta up 43% Ranger up 208% by the numbers, I'd say FoA's total sales were up significantly compared to a year ago. Edited February 6, 2013 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fou_bleu Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 From that all I can think of is Jan 2012 was an absolute shocker! Hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 From that all I can think of is Jan 2012 was an absolute shocker! Hahaha But don't tell Joshua Dowling 12 months-ago-land was worse, he's on a one man crusade to close down Broadmeadows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrey61 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I also wouldn't mind seeing the snowflake wheels over here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I also wouldn't mind seeing the snowflake wheels over here... They're nice but remember to wash the brake dust off them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 As stated on the previous page, I'm talking about Australia here, not the U.S. Every month FoA sales are less and less, and there's nothing more to blame than de-contented, overpriced products and horrendous marketing. not to be picky, but editing to add that fact at 12.02 am doesnt negate my comment, but now that the words in Australia have been added, it completely changes the subjects parameters..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Can't you ANZACS just get along? Cripes it makes my family reunions (Irish/Quebecois) seem like a picnic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fou_bleu Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 But don't tell Joshua Dowling 12 months-ago-land was worse, he's on a one man crusade to close down Broadmeadows. If anyone should have their media accreditation removed it's him! Erk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 not to be picky, but editing to add that fact at 12.02 am doesnt negate my comment, but now that the words in Australia have been added, it completely changes the subjects parameters..... Hi Deanh, how are hybrid sales in your neck of the woods? I'd imagine California buyers are still supporting hybrid fusions and C-max and although figures dropped a bit last month., tht would be dure to sales drop off from North Eastern states? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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