What things would you like to see on Ford Australia's cars?

[OffRoadFalcon]

Originally Posted by xe351

well, im most likely in the minority, but i dont really care about all the techy stuff so much, a usb mp3 player would be fine for me lol. I would essentially like a smaller Falcon, or a Focus with RWD or AWD and less euro styling like the new one. The Mrs drives the car a lot to the shops and parking spaces are getting smaller. I would also like to know that when it comes time to buy parts for my Ford, its not going to cost an arm and a leg.

Exactly the opposite thing I'd like!!

I'm probably another minority, but I'd stretch it to 5.8m long! Like the proper wagons in America in the 70s!

[GazzF6]

I think there is some merit in your post, however feedback in any form will always highlight were mistakes, and bad judgement were made, and any shortcomings re the development Process...

Originally Posted by dimka100

Here we go, another useless thread.

You do realise that Ford has already determined the list of developments for the 2014 model, had the budgeted and approved, and is in the process of developing them?

Decisions on what gets included/developed into a future model happen well in advance, and nobody is going to change their strategy or approach to sudden changes in the marketplace or consumer demands ...

Building a car, is not like building Facebook, you can't just apply agile programing techniques to roll out beta products and get the consumers to validate them for you ... hell even for Facebook it takes ages to implement any significant changes.

[FalconXV]

Just like to add one thing to this thread that I feel is important. The internal door handles are really poor quality and have too much slack. It sounds trivial, but its the kind of thing that sticks in a potential customers mind and paints Falcon as a low quality car. I hope this changes in 1.5 years...

[samos]

My below relate to Falcon and Territory, since, it is even more likely that I have no influence on euro and us sourced models. (warning; my overall improvements lean towards euro influence rather than the us.)

1. Advertisements of, in mass channels eg tv and radio for the aussie built cars
2. Global electronic tech in Falcon and Territory, but definitely leave the engineering to our guys.
3. Less american influence to external design, more european looking (especially front end designs).
4. Diesel Falcon option, using awesome jag engine mentioned above.
5. Soft feel dash (esp in 50k plus Territory)
6. Front parking sensors (real let down)
7. Sunroof option on Territory (I would have optioned one into my Terry purchase this year)
8. Competitive finance deals, simply to compete with the others.
9. Auto wipers (esp on Titanium models)
10. Led-lit steering controls (esp on Titanium models)
11. Bi xenon light options on top models
12. LED rear light options on the same top models.
13. Better 'feel' to door handles, external and internal.
14. Better 'feel' to the centre stack buttons (sometimes they 'miss' a press or two).
15. Firmer brake feel on the Territory.
16. Please see other like/dislike discussions on this site.
17. Please see other 'features that make you go ooh' discussions on this site.

I commend you attempt at improving the Falcon and Territory. It would be great to see some of these happen.

[falconnut]

only thing they could improve is the interior but hopefully thats a given.

apart from that they do need to put more value into the lower fg mark 2 models, not enough standard equiptment and their expensive.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Mr. Grinzy

Exactly the opposite thing I'd like!!

I'm probably another minority, but I'd stretch it to 5.8m long! Like the proper wagons in America in the 70s!

Nice!

Except for the niggling little problem that you couldn't park it anywhere...in most car parks it's hard enough to slip in an FG as it is without a three point turn to get into the park...

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by falconnut

only thing they could improve is the interior but hopefully thats a given.

apart from that they do need to put more value into the lower fg mark 2 models, not enough standard equiptment and their expensive.

This is being addressed with the 2014 Falcon apparently.

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Nice!

Except for the niggling little problem that you couldn't park it anywhere...in most car parks it's hard enough to slip in an FG as it is without a three point turn to get into the park...

Never had a problem with the wide as turning circle and length of my old 4wd.
Doing an extra manouver or finding another park never bothered me when i had it. Turning circle was the only thing that was niggly. It is rare to need extra manouvers to park with the AUII!

Ill take a 5.8m wagon thanks!

Turning circles make the difference to imo.. Old XF panelvan was a bit ho hum sometimes due to it.

[Franco Cozzo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VsK00BnSyI

[mik]

some old LS400`s, these have some very nice features, even by today`s standards some of these items are very cool, would like to see some in henry`s i think these are actually the poverty packs, no air bag suspension, not many gadgets in the rear compartment, american models don`t seem to have the auto retracting steering column for easier entry /egress (very cool feature) ,
many features not shown in these clips i might add.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y-Gd...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yftrt...ture=endscreen

[Ford_The_Win]

I think Ford have done a great job on the new Territory and that is reflected in the fact that it sells well. Well done on making a vehicle that perfectly captures the zeitgeist, Ford. Obviously buyers are happy with the features, because if they weren't, they wouldn't buy.

As for what to do with the Falcon, I'm not sure. It is seen as an old dinosaur car for old dinosaur people - in the 1990s, the average Falcon buyer was a 47 year old man and those old guys haven't gotten any younger. So obviously, making it relevant to younger buyers is what's important, but I don't know how they'd go about it. All the changes that could transform the Falcon into a car relevant for the 21st century are represented by the Mondeo (smaller, lots of tech, excellent quality, diesel engine), so where the Falcon fits in, I don't know. Maybe it doesn't have a place anymore. The Commodore is in the same boat (pun intended), but they have to contend with their frothing-at-the-mouth fanbase who have eroded their brand image over the past 10 years.

[mik]

"old dinosaur car for old dinosaur people" your not serious are you? i don`t think people actually see it that way mate, even though i`m older than than the age group you mention(spose i am a dinosaur) , i`m guessin your a young whipper snapper ?
i look at the falcon models over recent years , i see them as anything but cardigan wearing old codgers, starting with the models with sporting overtones for a start of which there are plenty !
as far i`m concerned the demographic old codgers cars are corola`s, camry`s volvo`s, hy undy`s, cheap non versatile front wheel drives in general, you could probably blame lot`s of reasons but being an old codgers car is`nt one of them i don`t think.

[atmoxr6]

Originally Posted by NX74205

The point is that if the Passat can offer those features for the price of a Falcon XT, then why can't Ford offer similar features on the Falcon?

what country is the falcon sold in? australia. now how many countries get the passat? nearly every market in the world. cost of tech and devolpment is spread over so many more sales. so why don't people think about the big picture. if people are so worried about getting so mutch crap for their dollar, buy a bloody hyundai/kia/cherry.

[mike_nofx]

*Auto trans dipstick. Even though the box is filled with oil "for life" it would make service and inspection that much easier.

[KIWI-1]

A bowtie!

[VICFPV]

Better audio in FPVs.
Factory sunroof option on the falcons.
Better interior quality on the high spec Falcons and FPV.
Suggest they benchmark the next falcon from the 300c and SRT8 for FPV.
Good connectivity with mobile appliances ie smartphones and tabs.
Look at the US options list for the Mustang and try and bring some of it here.

[mik]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

*Auto trans dipstick. Even though the box is filled with oil "for life" it would make service and inspection that much easier.

i believe one of the main reasons they stopped putting dipsticks in was dudes would put the wrong oil in and blow them up.

[brentnz]

Keyless starting, at least on fpv. Come on the button is already there!
Things that make life easier like auto window controls.
Engineering improvements on things like diff bushes, tail shafts etc... Give us something that can handle some abuse

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by NX74205

I'd love to see Ford invest in a brand new, modern and efficient I6 engine

I thought the current i6 was modern and efficient?

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by mik

i believe one of the main reasons they stopped putting dipsticks in was dudes would put the wrong oil in and blow them up.

Of course, protect the *******, while punishing people with at least half a brain.

Oh, and as well an an auto trans dipstick, an auto trans sump plug.

[b055m4n]

Originally Posted by KIWI-1

A bowtie!

don't need webbed feet to be a goose do ya...

[ptv]

new here and first post.
I would love ford to make a hatch back falcon or mini sports wagon. I am looking at current pics of the fg2 xr6 and think if it could be finished off nice on the rear as a hatch back, more ladies (as they perfer hatchbacks) wouldn't mind driving it during the week then when the blokes want a nice car to drive on the weekend when we have parked the company car/truck it would be great. It could also be jacked up and flares added like the new subaru xv.
So a xr6 hatchback with territory suspension (maybe option of awd) with some wheel flares to make it look awd style. The ladies perfer the extra clearance so when they are at the shops the front bumper dosen't hit the concrete curb (I own an rtv and love this feature over my mates old xr6).
Bring back the rtv can't be that hard (don't even need the diff locker with the traction control now)
and make the turbo 6 an option on every model (use to beable to get a base falcon with a v8 for a sleeper).
diesel is also over rated I have had a courier turbo diesel, a mazda bt-50 and a patrol 3litre diesel. I now own a 190kw bf2 with the 4 speed auto and it is better on fuel then all the above and goes so much harder you would be surprised and will last longer. I will be surprised if any modern 3litre or smaller diesel can get over 200000km out of a motor without major problems. there are plenty of new diesels with melted pistons and commonrail injection systems failing at the hint of dirty fuel

[turbodewd]

Originally Posted by Wretched

1) Focus rips Falcon apart for quality and value for $$.

Sheer emotive claptrap and exaggeration.

If I sit in my wife's '09 Mazda3 and compare it to my '08 FG: my steering wheel is more pleasant to touch and my seats are comfier. I think Falcon interior door handles are a bit flimsier than the Mazda ones. I find the Falcon telescopic steering wheel can still be moved a few mm even when locked. The positioning of Falcon cruise control buttons are more user friendly.

Take a dose of objectivity and quote some facts, then I'll listen to thy dribblings.