VFACTS Nov 2009

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Are you sure? That would be the first time in its 40 year history not being included in total Falcon sales.

They're different platforms now (FG v BF), where is the Commodore sedan/hatch are built of the same sedan platform...
Can someone else confirm? certainly earlier in the year they were separated in the figures for this reason.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

They're different platforms now (FG v BF), where is the Commodore sedan/hatch are built of the same sedan platform...
Can someone else confirm? certainly earlier in the year they were separated in the figures for this reason.

This is the listing for NOV 2009, it seperated utes but it looks like sedans and wagons are totalled

Ford 2009 2008
Ford Courier 4X4 0 0
Ford Escape 0 86
Ford F250 4X2 0 1
Ford Fairlane 0 6
Ford Falcon 2,863 2,555
Ford Falcon Ute 1,473 719
Ford Fiesta 720 307
Ford Focus 683 1,172
Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet 17 35
Ford LTD 0 0
Ford Mondeo 528 327
Ford Ranger 4X2 418 527
Ford Ranger 4X4 982 547
Ford Territory 1,016 763
Ford Transit 108 138
Ford Transit Bus 15 16
Ford Transit C/C 45 34
Ford Total 8,868 7,233

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by 15 December 2009 By PHILIP LORD

Working overtime: Ford's Broadmeadows plant has worked its first overtime shift since 2005 as it meets demand for models such as Territory.

Market set to resume record levels as financial crisis fades, says Ford boss

FORD Australia has talked up the prospects of a recovery in the automotive industry, with its president and CEO, Marin Burela, telling GoAuto that industry sales would reach 1.2 million within three years.

Mr Burela said the global financial crisis had caused great upheaval, but the market had already sent signals that it was recovering.

“We kicked off the year, 2009, well up in at 900,000-915,000 units level (in annualised monthly figures), where in the previous November (2008), we were running at about 830,000,” he said.

“So there was a significant shift happening very, very quickly.

“The global financial crisis without any doubt redefined the rules for everyone, in terms of how we move forward, how we position ourselves, which products do we bring to market.”

While the year may not have been a boom period, Mr Burela said 2009 sales had been strong and 2010 would only be better.

“In our view, for 2009, the industry will fall somewhere around 930,000 units. I think 2009 was a year of two halves. The first half was soft, the second half boomed; I think that (second half result) will start to flow through into 2010.

“For 2010, it will be a 930,000-plus figure, and we’ve been conservative in our planning.

Left: Ford Australia president and CEO Marin Burela.

“We think that the first quarter will level out again, there will be some pull-forward of orders from the last quarter of 2009. We think that in the last three quarters things will start to move back to more than a million (sales, in terms of monthly annualised figures).”

The prospect of a first quarter slowdown – due to a pull-foward in the last quarter of 2009 because of the 50 per cent small business investment allowance – was not of concern for Ford.

“It’s okay for the first quarter to be softer; we have planned for it, we’re ready for it.”

According to Mr Burela, beyond this hurdle lay the hope of a growth period.

“In 2010-2011, I wouldn’t be surprised if the industry moved into the million-plus units. We’re looking forward to when the industry gets 1.1 to 1.2 million, but I think we’ll have to wait two or three years for that to happen.

“It’s too early to go out and say we’re completely out of the woods but it’s amazing what difference a year makes.”

One of the signs of recovery, said Mr Burela, was the increased demand for locally produced Fords resulting in the first overtime shift for four years.

“The biggest single challenge we have today is that we cannot make enough of them. Last Saturday was a production day – an extended production day; we built 321 vehicles. There was a rich mix of Territorys there … this is the first time we at Ford have worked an overtime day since 2005.

“We don’t have enough Territorys out there, we can’t meet demand.”

Mr Burela said that in terms of locally produced vehicles, November sales grew 32 per cent over the same month last year.

“We sold 1600 vehicles more in November this year than we did in November 2008,” he said.

“Falcon’s share continues to grow, it is consistently running in the 35-36 per cent share level. It was only 12 months ago it was running in the area of 26-27 per cent.”

Unlike some other car company CEOs, Mr Burela accorded the federal government’s spending measures unreserved praise.

“I have pay due credit the federal government,” he said. “They clearly saw that they had to act, not only in the automotive sector, but other sectors as well.”

The government incentive for small business purchases had a roll-on effect, said Mr Burela.

“The small business allowance has really stimulated sales in the last quarter of this year, and it’s given confidence to people, not only in business side of sales but we’ve also seen it in the private sector.”

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25768C00806851

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

They're different platforms now (FG v BF), where is the Commodore sedan/hatch are built of the same sedan platform...
Can someone else confirm? certainly earlier in the year they were separated in the figures for this reason.

Falcon wagon and sedan sales are put together. Bit sill as it would be nice to have them separated.

Originally Posted by Brazen

(see attached article) MB seems to be backtracking a bit now saying that Falcon wagon could sell alongside Mondeo wagon, whereas before he said they could be eating each others sales. But its too late now, Euro IV is coming up so not enough time to engineer a FG wagon, typical. So its looking very likely Falcon wagon is gone.

What's a body change got to do with Euro IV, As long as it complies to Euro IV emissions it can be sold the same as it is now.

[vztrt]

Governments think local, often buy imported

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25768D0022694B

Local car slide not helped by government shift to imported vehicles

15 December 2009

By JAMES STANFORD

AUSTRALIAN governments bought more than 87,000 Australian-made cars in 1998. The corresponding number for this year is set to be fewer than 21,000.

The VFACTS figures provide a staggering example of the kind of challenge local manufacturers are facing.

Government purchases of imported vehicles have increased steadily (apart from a dip this year) from 2004 and exceeded local sales for the first time in 2007. The figure went from more than 30,000 in 1998 to an expected final tally of 39,000 for this year.

While import sales have risen, total government purchases are still well below where they stood in 1998.

Two reasons appear to stand out for this decline. The first is the reduction in public servants which follows the cuts in staff levels in general as well as the privatisation of many formerly public operations – Telstra being a prime example. These sales previously would have been counted as government sales and now are classified as business sales.

The other relates to a process that saw governments buy cars at a low fleet prices, use them only for a short period before selling them for not much less than what they bought them for.

Some car company executives claim some were even sold at a profit. This did wonders for the production volumes of the local car-makers, but didn’t generate much income and could also have hurt resale values.

That helps explain the general decline in government purchases, but why are governments buying more imported models?

One is a decline in local four-cylinder car production, with the demise of vehicles such as the local Toyota Corolla and Ford Laser, which has closed a door to small-car sales opportunity in this era of "four-cylinder only" policy.

But many local and state governments seem to feel little pressure to buy Australian when the factories are located interstate.

The Queensland’s government’s recent no six-cylinder purchasing policy is a great example.

It instantly excluded locally produced Ford, Holden and Toyota cars (only the Camry is still eligible) all of whom are located in Victoria and South Australia. Could you imagine this ban being put in place back when Ford and Holden were producing vehicles in Queensland? Either can I.

Much of the reasoning given for government’s buying fewer Australian cars is that they are not sufficient green.

This concern, and an on-radio challenge from a Greens member, was behind Kevin Rudd dumping his locally-made Territory for a Toyota Prius in the lead-up to the 2007 election. But this is all about to change.

Governments will be able to buy an Australian-made Camry Hybrid from next February.

They will also be able to buy an economical, and presumably fairly cheap, locally-made Holden Cruze small car from later next year.

In 2011, four-cylinder Falcons will also be on the market.

This is all music to the ears of federal industry minister Senator Kim Carr, who unashamedly drives a Territory.

Senator Carr is well aware of the drop in government purchases and has appointed advocates to meet with various federal, state and local governments to try to encourage them to buy Australian.

“You can’t make people buy Australian, but you can explain to them the benefits of buying Australian,” Senator Carr told GoAuto earlier this year.

“We have to match capability with opportunity.

“In the Army for instance, why do you need to buy a Kluger when the (locally made) Territory is there? You can argue that case out on price, whole of life costings, performance and appropriate use.”

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Boss315

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25768C00806851

Well, they must be heading towards 5700-6000 locally built and sold Falcons & Territorys for December. A terrific number.

What I wonder is the Territory percentage of the 321 extra vehicles produced. If it was a Terri only day, then might that be enough sales to get it back to number 1?

Originally Posted by Marin Burela

“Mr Burela said that in terms of locally produced vehicles, November sales grew 32 per cent over the same month last year.

“We sold 1600 vehicles more in November this year than we did in November 2008,” he said.

Who makes your christmas wish come true? Ford, of course!

Originally Posted by Marin Burela

“Falcon’s share continues to grow, it is consistently running in the 35-36 per cent share level. It was only 12 months ago it was running in the area of 26-27 per cent.”

His stated target back in April this year for Falcon was 35% share.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by phillyc

What I wonder is the Territory percentage of the 321 extra vehicles produced. If it was a Terri only day, then might that be enough sales to get it back to number 1?

It doesn't work that way..... each vehicle model line has a different labor / time content so the stage time is different and labor is balanced to take that into account.

Eg: Territory roof liner etc takes more time than that in a sedan so the type of vehicle presented at each stage is sequenced to take that into account.

Territory is about 1 in 4 max at the moment.

To build a higher percentage they would need to rebalance the line at Broadmeadows. Big dollars at the moment.

If they need more they will build them on Saturdays along with the other models.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

It doesn't work that way..... each vehicle model line has a different labor / time content so the stage time is different and labor is balanced to take that into account.

Eg: Territory roof liner etc takes more time than that in a sedan so the type of vehicle presented at each stage is sequenced to take that into account.

Territory is about 1 in 4 max at the moment.

To build a higher percentage they would need to rebalance the line at Broadmeadows. Big dollars at the moment.

If they need more they will build them on Saturdays along with the other models.

Barraxr8. Thanks for that. Wasn't sure if they could make a 'special' run for that day, but wasn't sure how the 'staging' or 'balancing' of vehicles would be worked out.

So, going off last months split and the split you just gave. Drumroll.
80 Territorys vs 240 Falcons

Based on last month which was 2,863 passengers vs Ute 1,473. Of that 240 Falcons, i'll make a guess. 160 Passenger, 80 Utes.

Wonder if that might be enough to crack 3000/1500 respectively?!

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Barraxr8. Thanks for that. Wasn't sure if they could make a 'special' run for that day, but wasn't sure how the 'staging' or 'balancing' of vehicles would be worked out.

So, going off last months split and the split you just gave. Drumroll.
80 Territorys vs 240 Falcons

Based on last month which was 2,863 passengers vs Ute 1,473. Of that 240 Falcons, i'll make a guess. 160 Passenger, 80 Utes.

Wonder if that might be enough to crack 3000/1500 respectively?!

My contacts tell me that Territory build is up quite a bit over the last 4 weeks and they are doing a SVP at the moment.

They must make quite a bit of money on Tezza's I'd say.

The plant shuts down for Christmas at the end of the week I believe, so the overall numbers won't be great.

They come back to make more great Aussie cars mid January.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

My contacts tell me that Territory build is up quite a bit over the last 4 weeks and they are doing a SVP at the moment.

They must make quite a bit of money on Tezza's I'd say.

The plant shuts down for Christmas at the end of the week I believe, so the overall numbers won't be great.

They come back to make more great Aussie cars mid January.

They also lose two days during shut down and start-up as cars are taken off the line and then loaded back up for maintenance on the clam shells.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by vztrt

They also lose two days during shut down and start-up as cars are taken off the line and then loaded back up for maintenance on the clam shells.

The 5 star Territory story in GoAuto says the plant will re-open January 11.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

My contacts tell me that Territory build is up quite a bit over the last 4 weeks and they are doing a SVP at the moment.

What is a SVP??

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

What is a SVP??

Special Vehicle Pack, like the latest Limited Edition in the FG sedan. The Terri is getting its own spruced up TS RWD for 45k.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

My contacts tell me that Territory build is up quite a bit over the last 4 weeks and they are doing a SVP at the moment.

They must make quite a bit of money on Tezza's I'd say.

The plant shuts down for Christmas at the end of the week I believe, so the overall numbers won't be great.

They come back to make more great Aussie cars mid January.

Well, they go for a couple grand more than a Falcon, the cost to build wouldn't be too much higher. So there is probably an $3000 or so profit in them compared to Falcon.

What we need is Ford building as many as they can sell, with a rich model mix, at a great price for buyers, build a bit more market share and have a nice tidy profit for themselves. That way everyone wins and it puts a terrific business case to continue re-investing. It seems as though Ford is doing all those things.

[Joe5619]

Dont they already have a limited edititon model Terri on the market right now??

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by phillyc

What we need is Ford building as many as they can sell
with a rich model mix,
at a great price for buyers,
build a bit more market share and have a nice tidy profit for themselves.
That way everyone wins and it puts a terrific business case to continue re-investing. It seems as though Ford is doing all those things.

Done
Done
Done
Getting there
Hopefully.

[russellw]

It was asked earlier how the FPV sales have compared with HSV for the year to date and the chart below depicts those numbers for SWB sales only.



Cheers
Russ

[snappy]

Nice job Russell , Graph looks fantastic
I would think its a disappointing amount of sales for both fpv and hsv
1162-fpv
1591-hsv
Wonder what hsv did to pick up sales so much after may . I realise November is most likely due to the E2 models.
( Buy the way saw a gts today on the road they get worse the closer you front and rear ).

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by snappy84

Nice job Russell , Graph looks fantastic
I would think its a disappointing amount of sales for both fpv and hsv
1162-fpv
1591-hsv
Wonder what hsv did to pick up sales so much after may . I realise November is most likely due to the E2 models.
( Buy the way saw a gts today on the road they get worse the closer you front and rear ).

Weren't they giving big discounts on their models. I remember a few people buying R8's for very cheap prices.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by snappy84

Nice job Russell , Graph looks fantastic
I would think its a disappointing amount of sales for both fpv and hsv
1162-fpv
1591-hsv
Wonder what hsv did to pick up sales so much after may . I realise November is most likely due to the E2 models.
( Buy the way saw a gts today on the road they get worse the closer you front and rear ).

yes thanks Russ, do you or anyone else have the sales split between I6T and V8 for FPV?

[russellw]

I won't have the split until the end of year figures but the tech area has the full splits from 2003 onwards.

I'd expect it is probably fairly similar.

Cheers
Russ

PS: Also worth noting that HSV sales are actually somewhat higher thanks to the LWB model.

[Polyal]

I must say the E2 in general looks pretty bad but the pick of them I think is the grange, went past a black one the other day and its an evil looking limo.

[vztrt]

For people wondering bout the Kluga and Escape.

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25768C00119D55

Ford in no hurry for Kuga

Auto puts Kuga compact SUV more firmly on Ford’s radar, but there’s an Escape clause

14 December 2009

By PHILIP LORD

FORD has begun to take more seriously the idea of importing the compact Kuga SUV from Europe, but it will not arrive here in 2010.

Speaking at last week’s Fiesta Econetic launch, Ford Australia president Marin Burela said the Kuga compact SUV had become more of an option locally, as it recently became available with automatic transmission.

The Blue Oval only has the dated Ford Escape – which has been on local shelves in one form or another for nine years – in the booming compact SUV segment, but Mr Burela ruled out any chance of the Kuga going on sale here next year.

“At first it was only available as a manual, but it is now available as automatic as well as a manual – except the diesel,” he said.

“So our objective will be to study it … to look at the vehicle, although we don’t need to make a decision through 2010.

“The important thing for us is if we do decide to go down that Kuga path (there) is a consistency to the product. We can’t go into to as we did with Ka – stay for a while and then go. All that does is create confusion in the network and the marketplace.”

Despite the Australian market’s familiarity with the Escape nameplate here, Mr Burela quashed the notion of rebadging the European Kuga product as an Escape, if and when it was released here.

“I would prefer to go to a global naming strategy,” he said.

The Kuga would meet the Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 head-on, said Mr Burela.

“We know we’d need to get it in at a low price point, at the compact SUV entry point.”

Despite Ford being tempted to kill it off, Mr Burela said the Escape wouldn’t die because the market still wanted it.

“We thought we’d actually get out of Escape, but the reaction we were seeing from the market was overwhelming – they wanted it to stay. We sell 400 a month. It’s perfect … it hits the sweet spot.”

As for Ford’s global light car, the Ka, Mr Burela said: “No full decision has been made. We could move if we wanted, we could go down that path quickly. The trouble we face is capacity; they’re selling so many in Europe.”

There were other problems, said Mr Burela, with a smooth path for Ka’s arrival here.

“The biggest challenge we face is that it’s a manual – they don’t have an auto. It’s a 1.2-litre or 1.3-litre. It’s also an expensive car.”

While the Ka would compete with sub-light cars such as Suzuki’s Alto and potential imports from Toyota (iQ) and Holden (Spark), Mr Burela said he believes the Fiesta is all Ford needs for now.

“I think we’re covering the small car landscape very well with the Fiesta, so we’ll allow that time to settle down and see what happens.”

At the other end of the spectrum, Mr Burela does not see a future for a Ford Australia-backed return of the F250 ute.

“It’s hard to say, there’s always a niche there, but we’d prefer to leave that niche to other people.”

Meanwhile, Mr Burela reiterated the stay of execution for the BFIII Falcon Wagon – at least for two more months.

“Let’s just wait until we come to all the conclusions that we need to come to, which will be in the next couple months. February will be about the time,” he said.

Meantime, direct liquid injection (LPI) continues to be on track for the Falcon “in the latter half of 2010”, said Mr Burela.

Similarly, the much anticipated Territory diesel is still on track for a 2011 arrival but, as previously reported, a 2.7-litre turbo-diesel V6 will be employed rather than the newer 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 as used by 10MY Jaguar and Land Rover models.

[MONSOON]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Governments think local, often buy imported

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25768D0022694B

Now this is what I think is just plain wrong! I think there is plenty that they can do about it they just choose not to. Who cares if 4cyls are "greener" support Australian jobs for a change... ( I could go on & on but I'll stop now)

[XR8putts]

Originally Posted by russellw

It was asked earlier how the FPV sales have compared with HSV for the year to date and the chart below depicts those numbers for SWB sales only.



Cheers
Russ

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

Interesting how close it was earlier in the year, the second half would have alot to do with E1 runout and those awaiting E2?

One would hope that Ford's new V8 in 2010 will have a similar effect.