Gorman: Market boom all because of Mazda, about to end

[fpv_gtho]

Originally Posted by GoAuto.com.au

Boom market to end - Gorman
FORD Australia president Tom Gorman has indicated that the Australian automotive sector would not be able to sustain its record sales run and has forecast 955,000 sales – the 2004 total – for the 12 months ending December 31, 2005.

This is well below the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ (FCAI) official forecast, which remains at 980,000 for total vehicle sales in 2005.

According to Mr Gorman, who is also the FCAI president, sustained growth in the booming small-car segment would be difficult to sustain, as would sales made as a consequence of the five per cent tariff reduction for imported passenger cars.

"The growth in the small-car segment in particular, I think that reflected a great deal of pent-up demand largely coming in the guise of Mazda," Mr Gorman said.

"Mazda has said that they were short product all last year so I think they’ve now been able to get some of that product in and that has led to them being able to satisfy a lot of customers that were waiting at the back end of last year.

"I also think that even though a lot of action was taken in December pre-tariff reduction, I don’t think the consumer really grasped that, and then immediately posttariff reduction, I think there was a lot of excitement and activity in the marketplace.

"Whether that excitement now lasts through the full year – I don’t see it happening."

For the last couple of years, between the FCAI and the 4 local manufacturers, Ford have been the most accurate with their market predictions, although its hard to say if the booming SUV markets will keep the market growing. With Ford loosing about 500 Falcon sales per month compared to last year, but Territory claiming 2000 a month, theyre cashing in ATM.

[FastFalcon]

Yes ford needs a Longer list of products.
Feista
Focus
Fusion type car
Falcon
Territory
Fairlane LTD

[fpv_gtho]

We dont need a Fusion sized car as thats more Falcon sized than anything. NZ sells the latst Mondeo fairly successfully, that'd be a better option

[SlickHolden]

I never understood why it went it wasnt a bad car. In the BTCC it was a weapon with the rat behind the wheel.

[fpv_gtho]

The last ones we got were ovepriced really, probably as a result of a weak dollar (and possibly the only reason it was brought here was Ford US's intent to shutdown Broadmeadows, so we got the Mondeo first, then the Taurus) but then again, the Telstar used to be sold against the Falcon as well. Against the competition, they lacked power as well.

Maybe motorsportnerd will add what he thinks of his Mondeo

[whiteballz]

in a comparo the in motor, ford falcon and ford mondeo st220 were tested back to back, they said falcon was superior car...

i dont see where a mondeo sized car would work in there.

[fpv_gtho]

well the Mondeo being a UK car would have far better fit and finish and overall build quality. The Falcons strengths are mostly performance orientated, like the basic driveline, chassis dynamics etc.

[charged]

Other car manufactureres sell plenty of Mazda6, Liberty, Accords,Vectras etc,Ford should bring the latest Mondeo from the uk, from what Ive read its a fairly good vehicle.Personally I hated the shape of the Mondeo ford imported here a few years ago,they were pretty gutless also, the new Mondeo is a vast improvement over the previous model

[fpv_gtho]

You have to wonder though if theres any negative image that could slow Mondeo sales down. Ford were unlucky with the Focus that not only did they release i about the same time as the BA, it was essentially a 4 year old car when we got it, and only now when Ford have the special deals, trying to sell them with free air con and auto for $18,990 etc are the selling.

Other than that, the medium segment is booming as well, and if at the end of the day Ford are chasing overall market share, i suppose theres 2 markets taking the large car's share (medium and SUV) and Ford only have 1 car to combat that

[2ndclasscitizen]

isn't there a couple of hotter versions of the mondeo available? if ford brings those out with a relaunch of the mondeo it could help, especially with a new astra turbo coming along

[charged]

In the Uk they have some fairly juicy Mondeos,they drive fantastic, I think the cost may be the problem, people seem to be happy paying 50k for a Liberty but not for a Mondeo or a Vectra for that matter

[fpv_gtho]

Theres the Mondeo ST220 with a 160kw V6, other than that its just the bread and butter cars really. Mazda manage to keep the Mazda6 surviving with just the 121kw I4, and its essentially built on the same platform as the latest Mondeo's i believe, but having the V6 would definately boost the sales.

[SlickHolden]

There is a rumor HSV might grab the Astra turbo ? When the talk of things like that it means something else is on the cards

[fpv_gtho]

I think the Astra that HSV want isnt the simply Turbo SRi model, they want the Astra OPC with the near 180kw engine (though still FWD i believe)

[IBrake4Rainbows]

They've tried a Mondeo, it bombed.

That market segment is falling: why buy medium when for a little more you can go supersize?

What they really need is fresh models that aren't passing fads, Holden have the right idea with Tradies cars, Ford with The Territory, Toyota with the Kluger and Tradies cars, but Mitsubishi doesn't really have anything.

It's also a little arrogant to place the market gains all on one manufacturer; what about the shift to premium cars? what about the rise of SUV type vehicles? Do i need to explain that Ford owns Mazda?

Arrogance is what got Mazda bought in the first place.