Should Ford get rid of Mondeo?

Brazen · 29-04-2013, 05:23 PM

Looking at constantly poor Mondeo sales compared to Falcon, is it worth keeping it on in Australia?

The much maligned sedan-only Falcon sells multiple times better than the Mondeo. People criticise the Falcon for lack of features... look at Mondeo, it is available with lane departure, radar cruise, sunroof, xenons, LED lights etc and it doesnt come close to selling the same as Falcon. It comes with Ecoboost and diesel in hatch and wagon. The Mondeo sedan was killed as it simply sold nothing.

Even with the death of the Falcon wagon - which had a consistent 400 sales a month Mondeo sales have hardly raised a blip even though Ford pitched the Mondeo squarely at Falcon wagon buyers. It looks like the Holden Sportwagon took many of these sales even though the Mondeo is bigger and has more cargo room.

Maybe people like their large Aussie cars, which can tow, drive long distance, can handle a load, have power to spare and are reliable and cheap to fix. Maybe shock-horror buyers prefer rear wheel drive and locally made too....

All I think Mondeo achieves is take up scarce showroom space, uses up advertising dollars and only highlights what the Falcon is missing in terms of features. It takes sales which perhaps could of gone Falcon's way. With Ecoboost under Falcon's bonnet there is even less of a reason for Mondeo.

Look at all the manufacturing capacity in Europe and with the market for cars in the toilet over there Ford should be selling a huge amount of Mondeos here.

Do buyers simply prefer rear wheel drive and Aussie made? Is Ford better off focusing their attention on Falcon with improvements in features and new variants?

Along with the Taurus experiment of the 90s, will the Mondeo experiment of the 2000s go down as another failed overthrow of the Falcon?

LG17 · 29-04-2013, 05:28 PM

It would possibly sell better if it was rebadged as a Fusion.
Unfortunately it suffers from the early crap ones.

**DJM83** · 29-04-2013, 06:07 PM

Since when was Mondeo sedan killed? Still on FoA website.

IMO i reckon a titanium mondeo looks a shed load better than a G6E.
IMO the only thing that the falcon does better is probably tow, and the performance of the turbo models.
If i wanted a bigger sedan id buy a mondeo in a heart beat after my experience with 2 euro Fords.
Only thing i like about NEW aussie fords is the T6.

Yes iam a Ford fan and no im not bagging the falcon, but for me i have no need for a RWD sedan, well that said i have no need for a sedan.

flooded one · 29-04-2013, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Since when was Mondeo sedan killed? Still on FoA website.

IMO i reckon a titanium mondeo looks a shed load better than a G6E.
IMO the only thing that the falcon does better is probably tow, and the performance of the turbo models.
If i wanted a bigger sedan id buy a mondeo in a heart beat after my experience with 2 euro Fords.
Only thing i like about NEW aussie fords is the T6.

Yes iam a Ford fan and no im not bagging the falcon, but for me i have no need for a RWD sedan, well that said i have no need for a sedan.

I think hes talking about the mondeos of the 90s it did get killed off circa 1999?? it returned too Australia in 2007

**DFB FGXR6** · 29-04-2013, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Since when was Mondeo sedan killed? Still on FoA website.
.

The current MA-MB-MC Mondeo was launched in sedan and "sedan look" hatch. The sedan was dropped to offer a point of difference to Falcon (and lack of sales) and the Wagon added to offer a Falcon Wagon replacement.

**DJM83** · 29-04-2013, 06:28 PM

Yeah never looked at it that way i guess i still class the hatch as a sedan. Thanks for clarification
Anyway rest of my post stands.

FPV GTHO · 29-04-2013, 06:35 PM

Are you comparing sales to Camry or to the rest of the mid sized class?

I don't think there's any guarantee someone will but a Falcon instead of a Mondeo, which would be the only realistic reason to drop Mondeo IMO.

T3rminator · 29-04-2013, 06:37 PM

This car is more appreciated in the UK. See them quite common on the roads. Took a 2L diesel version from London to Scotland and it was a dream to drive.... managed the twisty highlands no problem with 4 passengers.

Probably needs to be rebadged to remove the tag with earlier models.

Smoke Pursuit · 29-04-2013, 06:38 PM

Supply and old model is the probllem

mr smith · 29-04-2013, 06:50 PM

Mondeo is just not a good car IMO. I have driven most variations and don't rate them.
Give it the flick.

XR Martin · 29-04-2013, 06:59 PM

The factory where we get ours is is producing bugger all due to strikes AFAIK.
At full supply they were into the 400s a month which wasnt too bad, probably more private sales than that of the Falcon.

Neale · 29-04-2013, 07:07 PM

I've driven the XR5 mondeo, awsome!! & that sound mmmm

I would buy one over a Falcon if I needed a bigger car.

The next gen Mondeo will be more of a global car being sold as the Fusion in the states. I can see the day when the Mondeo/Fusion will also replace the Falcon if you look at Fords history with the Fiesta & Focus going to a global platform.

Cabbage · 29-04-2013, 07:32 PM

I think it suffers because the early Mondeo's were pretty bland. I reckon they have to rebrand it. Once a product gets a bad name its pretty hard to change. Taurus anybody?

Rodge · 29-04-2013, 07:41 PM

No and No Tourarse either. We badly need the new model Mondeo and some infusion, pardon the pun, of some new styling. Bring on the Fusion already. Name change won't hurt either, Fusion sounds very 21st century

**Polyal** · 29-04-2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Supply and old model is the probllem

Supply still...gawd!

I cant see how having it is bad? It gives a diesel option which would be gold in the Falcon and I dare say that these buyers would not buy a Falcon so better they buy a mondeo than an Accord.

**Elks** · 29-04-2013, 07:48 PM

Kill it.

Divert Ford large car sales to Falcon.

**Polyal** · 29-04-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elks

Kill it.

Divert Ford large car sales to Falcon.

But wouldnt those buyers just go elsewhere? You cant force people to buy Falcons, they have to be inticed, excited, something. They had the choice to get falcon which is argueably better value and didnt.

Id be interested to know the mondeo mix, would it be prodominatly wagons and tdi's?

**Dave R** · 29-04-2013, 08:03 PM

Brand it as Fusion when the next gen becomes available.

4.0i OHC · 29-04-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

The current MA-MB-MC Mondeo was launched in sedan and "sedan look" hatch. The sedan was dropped to offer a point of difference to Falcon (and lack of sales) and the Wagon added to offer a Falcon Wagon replacement.

Umm you realise that the sedan was canned worldwide- not just in Australia? It wasn't selling well in the biggest market- the uk. And the wagon was brought in just before as well!

The car was selling well before crippling strikes. 2nd in the segment. Besides, the new models out soon. Give it a chance.

Wretched · 29-04-2013, 08:05 PM

it deserves to sell better. supply appears to be still an issue.
Still looks good and competes well with its competitors even for its age.

Auslandau · 29-04-2013, 08:07 PM

Don't see where the bad image of Mondeo's is coming from? The old models, while boring, were never regarded as bad, unreliable etc? The Taurus got a hammering on looks.

I think it is just stuck in no mans land between Falcon and Focus. It think they looks great, never driven one have to admit ..... think its the only Ford model I haven't! Looked at one for the old bloke but couldn't tow his van with it and after 40 plus years he could not buy anything but a Falcon .... ended up with a G6E.

Wouldn't think it would cost Ford too much to keep it in the lineup? It is bought to order and they are selling when they can get them. So really no financial benefit to drop it at all. If it was guaranteed that sales would be diverted to Falcon, by all means but don't think they are. I think more would consider either a Focus or Mondeo than Falcon or Mondeo?

eb2fairmont · 29-04-2013, 08:53 PM

Given the issues with supply Ford should be pushing them into ecoboost falcons.

**Polyal** · 29-04-2013, 09:02 PM

I recall a member from a delearship pushing to sell ecoboost falcons at $29990! If you cant move them at that price something is wrong deeper in the chain.

Smoke Pursuit · 29-04-2013, 09:07 PM

Don't forget mondeo wagon was supposed to be the new fleet hack which it was up until ford stopped supplying it due to the union disputes at the plant. Many fleets moved to mondeo, but will walk away as ford can't supply. Fusion is a must on next mondeo.

Smoke Pursuit · 29-04-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

I recall a member from a delearship pushing to sell ecoboost falcons at $29990! If you cant move them at that price something is wrong deeper in the chain.

Can buy Xr6 for the same dollars. No one wants a plain Jane XT with a plastic steering wheel and black and white screen. Xr6 needs to be base model now.

**Polyal** · 29-04-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Can buy Xr6 for the same dollars. No one wants a plain Jane XT with a plastic steering wheel and black and white screen. Xr6 needs to be base model now.

Yeap 100%

XtRmn8 · 29-04-2013, 09:21 PM

How many of you who say kill it have actually owned or spent extended time in a MA, MB or MC Mondeo?

Bossxr8 · 29-04-2013, 09:26 PM

Mondeo was the 2nd highest selling model in the mid size class after Camry for a long time.

Strikes and supply issues have plagued it. But it offers a few things Falcon doesn't, a wagon and a diesel, and also a hatch.

Bucknaked · 29-04-2013, 09:37 PM

The average Aussie Bloke can't deal with FWD. It's bred into the DNA. If its FWD, it must be bad.

I loved my XR5. An awesome car. But I decided to jump back into a Falcon because it was time to move it on, and the LE FG's were good value. And manuals are not my thing. I wanted another auto, so I chose to go to an XR6T in auto.

People need to drive one and not judge from afar.

**Elks** · 29-04-2013, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtRmn8

How many of you who say kill it have actually owned or spent extended time in a MA, MB or MC Mondeo?

I dont know what MA MB MC mean. But I've driven a 2011 Ecoboost Mondeo. Owned by a family member and bought without my input. It's not a bad car at all. Lots of tech, huge boot, boring as a Camry.

I suppose it comes back to the other debate about tech. I have and have had euro cars with all of there high grade tech and gadgets and I personally don't rate it. The gadgets wear off really quickly. 1/2 of which I and my wife and never even used. Truly it was 2 1/2 years before she realised her car had LED daytime running lights. Quiet, comfortable, well balanced 5star safety. Al in an FG. Although an XT is a bit plain.

The space, pace and grace ( to quote a Jaguar add from the 70's) of a Falcon seems better to me. For my dime I'd buy a Falcon.

So I repeat. Kill it.

My 2c.