New Mondeo Diesel Wagon Headlines Revised Ford Model Range

[russellw]

The introduction of a new, fuel efficient diesel powertrain for the Mondeo wagon range headlines a number of upcoming changes to Ford Australia's vehicle line-up.

A diesel Mondeo wagon will join the current MB Mondeo range in the third quarter of this year, bringing with it a new generation diesel powertrain that delivers significantly better fuel economy and improved performance.

"The Mondeo wagon has presented a compelling proposition for wagon customers since it was introduced in July last year," said Ford Australia Vice President Marketing, Sales & Service, Beth Donovan.

"Packed full of equipment and features, and sporting a spacious cargo area with generous payload capability, Mondeo wagon delivers an ideal package to serve the needs of both private and fleet customers."

The addition of a diesel powertrain will bolster the existing range of petrol Mondeo wagon models.

"Over the past 12 months there has been an increasing shift in consumer preferences for this sector of the market, with growing customer expectations for improved safety features, new technologies, contemporary styling and the option for alternative fuels," Ms Donovan said.

"In order to meet these changing customer expectations in the long term, the Falcon wagon will cease production, while the introduction of a new diesel Mondeo wagon will present a modern alternative to fulfil the needs of both private and fleet customers."

Sales of Falcon wagon will be phased out throughout the second half of 2010.

The Falcon wagon has fulfilled a unique and important role in the Ford line-up for almost 50 years, serving generations of Australian customers as a reliable family car, as well as meeting the needs of local businesses as a valued fleet vehicle.



Source: Ford Media

[#Russ#Es#]

Diesel wagon can't come soon enough. If only they released a manual version - a Titanium Diesel manual wagon would be hard to beat.

[#Russ#Es#]

Repost, my bad

[Smoke Pursuit]

Good to see they are trying to cover up the doom and gloom of Falcon wagon death yesturday..

Interesting to note no figures on new diesel?? Why bother publishing a story like that if your not going to give the consumers something to look forward too.

[xrford]

Diseasel or not i honestly dont think its going to make an impact here in Australia, however ill stand corrected if the sales figures do considerably improve from what they are now.

[Chopped]

The sedan is lucky to crack 500 sales/month. The Mondeo seems to be unloved and suffering a image problem from the previous models. (despite how good it is)

Hopefully the press will be nice to it.

[flappist]

So now Ford have a quite save, large, moderm technology, economical station wagon ideal for more than 95% of station wagon buyers.

I am sure it will not suit everyone but it is a good move I suspect.

[Smoke Pursuit]

What will all the funeral companies do?? 99% of them run Falcon wagons to cart bodies around, will a body fit in a Mondeo wagon?

Taxi Operators?

Ford were still selling 500 of these things a month with no upgrades.. Upgrade and offer 3 - 4 models you would soon double that figure.. 12,000 cars a year using 80% of the technology already invested in sedan? Get a sedan, graft a new **** end on it, or even just upgrade the AU one, new sheet metal.. and tailights. Seriously Ford obviously can't add up.

[xrford]

Last 2 qoutes are so true they should of at least brought out a limited edition sports version at the start of BF just to see if there was a market for non fleet buyers.
Instead what did they do.......sweet ******** all!.....poor form.

[snappy]

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

What will all the funeral companies do?? 99% of them run Falcon wagons to cart bodies around, will a body fit in a Mondeo wagon?

Taxi Operators?

Ford were still selling 500 of these things a month with no upgrades.. Upgrade and offer 3 - 4 models you would soon double that figure.. 12,000 cars a year using 80% of the technology already invested in sedan? Get a sedan, graft a new **** end on it, or even just upgrade the AU one, new sheet metal.. and tailights. Seriously Ford obviously can't add up.

Im afriad you are probly correct . seems like they took the easy road witch quite often is not the best option.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by snappy

Im afriad you are probly correct . seems like they took the easy road witch quite often is not the best option.

They took the safe option because thats all they know...

They wonder why Falcon wagon died in the last 8 years.. They deleted Fairmont option for a start back in 2002 when BA was released, offered no V8 / Turbo Option, offered no decent options as far as premium sound, leather, 17 inch alloys (you couldnt even option 17s from factory) no reverse sensor option from factory on wagon, yet sedans had it since 2002, no side curtain airbag options, no 6 seat column shift option while they still make column shift available for utes? They had the availability there, but as we know Ford hate taking risks.. Why you wouldnt use things you already have on the shelf blows me away..

With a true full lenght wagon as per what they have now with some decent options Ford could have outsold Sportswagon.. Sportswagon is not a prefered fleet vehicle, its a private buyers car who wants to look good.

[Mr Hardware]

What will all the funeral companies do?? 99% of them run Falcon wagons to cart bodies around, will a body fit in a Mondeo wagon?

Taxi Operators?

There's no way in hell any taxi operator in their right mind will choose a mondeo wagon. They often nowadays purposely choose the egas wagon for three reasons: old tech. Taxi operators don't want new tech! It just adds expense. Egas = cheap. 4spd auto = cheap. Live rear axle = cheap. Switching to anything else would just be cutting into the already extremely poor profit margins of the taxi game, just meaning drivers will get paid less. And the taxi industry already has a huge 'pay peanuts, get monkeys' problem.

[bigdude1011]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

They often nowadays purposely choose the egas wagon for three reasons: old tech.

Why do they use Priuses and Honda Odysseys (Canberra Cabs owns a few) then? I don't see carbies or leaf springs in them.

Diesel Skodas are currently being used as taxis (in Australia) as well, so I don't see why diesel Mondeos would fail.

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by bigdude1011

Why do they use Priuses and Honda Odysseys (Canberra Cabs owns a few) then?

The last time i saw a honda odyssey cab in brisbane, i kid you not, was when i was getting a trans rebuilt. This odyssey had only 200k on the clock and was needing a new box; quote from honda was some exorbidant figure (i can't remember what it was now, somewhere between $5k and $10k) and as such was sitting in this auto shop covered in dust it had been there so long, apparently waiting for a trans to come up from a wreck.

[barra240t]

The Falcon wagon has finished and Ford would not have discontinued it without reasons. Instead if seeing this as doom an gloom please go take a drive in a Mondeo diesel wagon when it arrives. Do you know the Mondeo wagon has more load space and technical features the a Commodore sports wagon?

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by barra240t

The Falcon wagon has finished and Ford would not have discontinued it without reasons. Instead if seeing this as doom an gloom please go take a drive in a Mondeo diesel wagon when it arrives. Do you know the Mondeo wagon has more load space and technical features the a Commodore sports wagon?

Does it match BF wagon tho for size, comfort and longativity??

We have to remember that wagons are work hacks, and do hundreds of thousands of kms... I personally dont think the Mondeo wagon will sell anywhere near what Falcon does... Im sure there are plenty of bean counters at Ford that can justify their decision but they have only done it to themselves over the years with no supporting the model at a level it should be supported.

I can't see taxi operators running Mondeo wagons, nor Funeral companies as they wont be long enough for body trays.

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by barra240t

..... Do you know the Mondeo wagon has more load space and technical features the a Commodore sports wagon?

It doesn't have a V8 option.

[Falc'man]

^^ haha good post Windsor

Originally Posted by Chopped

It doesn't have a V8 option.

a) Neither does the Falcon.
b) Why would it need a V8 option?

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Because its such a better looking car... inside and out.

The Mondeo styling hurts its sales.

I agree 103%.
In fact the Mondeo reminds me of Susan Boyle. She exceeded expectations with her magnificent voice, but, still, you don't see many men lining up to propose, do you.

I can't help but remember the unloved Avalon's frazzled look every time I see this Ford.
/there's no way Keelan will convince me otherwise.

And the Mazda 6? Pure pure class. It's one of the best new looks out there.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

^^ haha good post Windsor



a) Neither does the Falcon.
b) Why would it need a V8 option?

I agree 103%.
In fact the Mondeo reminds me of Susan Boyle. She exceeded expectations with her magnificent voice, but, still, you don't see many men lining up to propose, do you.

I can't help but remember the unloved Avalon's frazzled look every time I see this Ford.
/there's no way Keelan will convince me otherwise.

And the Mazda 6? Pure pure class. It's one of the best new looks out there.

well said!

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

well said!

It's good to have a good chuckle about things but in reality Ford need to sit up and take notice; people just don't dig it's looks. This... thing... needs a facelift, both literally and figuratively.

Does anyone know when the "BA saviour" is scheduled for the Mondeo?

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

^^ haha good post Windsor



a) Neither does the Falcon.
b) Why would it need a V8 option?

I agree 103%.
In fact the Mondeo reminds me of Susan Boyle. She exceeded expectations with her magnificent voice, but, still, you don't see many men lining up to propose, do you.

I can't help but remember the unloved Avalon's frazzled look every time I see this Ford.
/there's no way Keelan will convince me otherwise.

And the Mazda 6? Pure pure class. It's one of the best new looks out there.

Yeah yeah youssef....i'm not even trying. I will point out though that while mondeo may have lacklustre sales compared to what is deserves on engineering/features/merit it is NOT because people think its ugly. I know this because of all the comments i've ever heard from 'joe blows' Re mondeo styling have been positive. Bar the one guy that pointed ou the rear lights (esp on sedan now gone) were 'wierd'.

If it were styling related explain how they sell mazda 6s. You say they are 'pure class', well numerous people i know (mazda fans at that, especially the ladies) have told me they dont' like mazda's new overblown 'smiley face' look. I would agree, not only will it date its way too overt for that segment. Styling is more often an 'excuse' for buying a car then a reason based on what i've found. Oh i got the honda instead of the mazda because it 'looked better'. Yeah too bad the same guy saying it is a honda fanboy of long standing. If you have brand loyalty don't hide it FFS!!! Besides, last time i checked given much greater market acceptance (via the preceding model) in that segment Mazda 6 wasn't selling all that higher than mondeo...and Honda certainly was not shifting many more Accord euros niether.

It's also telling that 90% of the mondeo bashers on this forum are Falcon lovers. Its not one or the other. If Falcon does go it will be Taurus type car that replaces it, not mondeo. Mondeo would likely stay alonside it or at worse get canned itself. Its not Mondeo Vs Falcon, its a swap in the product Ford is offering to market. It may not be as successful as ford wants, but it IS a quality car and it will (along with territory) offer a valid replacment for 80%+ of the existing falcon wagon customers.

[barra240t]

Mondeo LX tdci is the eqivilant of XT in my eyes, it should be pretty much the same dollars. I have travelled a far distance in a Mondeo and they are great on long hauls. People need to give it a chance and Ford need to Market it big time. I would love a new model Falcon but it isn't going to happen. The motor trend has changed forever and we have to deal with it.

[GK]

Originally Posted by barra240t

Mondeo LX tdci is the eqivilant of XT in my eyes, it should be pretty much the same dollars. I have travelled a far distance in a Mondeo and they are great on long hauls. People need to give it a chance and Ford need to Market it big time. I would love a new model Falcon but it isn't going to happen. The motor trend has changed forever and we have to deal with it.

How was the aircon?

I've heard from a lady at work whose husband has one as a company car that the aircon is quite average.

On the other discussion topics, Ford has been trying to kill off the wagon for years. They thought they'd done it with the AU, but it lived on in the BA and BF.

I see the Mondeo as their way of softening us up for the Taurus. I mean lets be honest here, the majority of cars sold here are fwd. The average car owner doesn't car too much as they buy a Camry. The majority of large car buyers opt for a Holden Commodore. We all know the value of the wagon, I personally love them, and it's easy to see why the Sportswagon is selling so well.

Shame, but just the way it's going. Sadly, I suspect the Mondeo wagon will not simply sell the numbers they expect it to. Ford seem to have a habit of misreading the Aussie market.

At least Holden take risks and capture the imagination of the bulk of the loyal Aussie car buyers. Inferior products I believe, but they have the heart of most aussies.

Maybe I'll take the diesel Mondeo wagon for a drive when it arrives, but my preference (when I upgrade the AU wagon) would be a Territory on gas, or a BFII wagon (with XR front) on gas.

GK

[outback_ute]

Not that I'm trying to be negative, but I don't think a handful of sales to funeral directors would have made much difference, and now their hearses will just cost a bit more (most were stretched anyway). How many taxis were not bought at auctions? Not a huge help to Ford there.

As for talk of sports and luxury versions, they would not be credible/good enough to gain worthwhile sales numbers while based on the old leaf-sprung rear end, when the alternative sedan or Commodore wagon had IRS. The majority of people who buy a vehicle to tow get a diesel 4wd. When there isn't a Fairlane to share the floorpan it is hard to see a lwb FG wagon being realistic.

I just can't ignore the fact that the market has changed. As another thread said, it is amazing the wagon lasted as long as it did. If we were selling the number of cars they do in the US then it would be viable, but not as a fraction of a ~80,000 units per year Australian large car segment.

Edit: Mondeo wagon floor length is 1183mm with seats up, 1920mm seats down. Does anyone have figures for the Falcon?

[Elks]

I'd look at it. Then buy a territory.

[Smoke Pursuit]

It only has the luggage capacity

Falcon

Luggage Capacity (L) Petrol /E-Gas / Mondeo
Seats upright 1254 / 1174 / 1005
Seats down 2584 / 2504 / 2163

[Joe5619]

If only they'd bring this thing to Australia, then it would really give the Sports Wagon a run for its money

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/ford/fo...n-ar71928.html

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

If only they'd bring this thing to Australia, then it would really give the Sports Wagon a run for its money

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/ford/fo...n-ar71928.html

145HP????

Only if the sports wagon was on its roof........

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by flappist

145HP????

Only if the sports wagon was on its roof........

I meant looks wise.

[jpd80]

Diesel Mondeo wagon will get ignored like the rest of that line.....