TurboDOHC

how it took Ford to fail (with the AU) to pull its socks up and build what will be a class leading car.

Perhaps the AU's failure will be a blessing in disguise. It certainly has meant a refocus and a huge organisational effort to buiild this car and it is great to know Ford have learnt from past errorts, listened to the market and put in 101% to make up for the AU

good on ya guys and roll on september

KenOath

Yes, the tide has turned, my friends.

Now, if we could only get our shit together with the racing.

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3Toed

I'm sure there are many people both on and off this forums who would not call the AU a failure. However, I do agree that the lacklustre reception of the AU by the general public has and will bring out the best in Ford. Bring on September I say!

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Bluey

The big question is -

Has Ford done an extra effort from the norm for Barra - or is this be part of the plan going forward - or will they return to AU attitudes after a successful model when they are pushed to?

fte22

The AU was too radical for a conservative 1950's Australia. The Commodore stays the same for years and still sells better.

aston

It also begs the question what are Holden doing for VY. Media reports that it is basically a cosmetic change (new nose, tail and interior) with not much going on mechanically.

Do we think Holden will rest on there laurels or have they some secrets to pull out of the bag with VY ?

Anyone heard any rumours?

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Falchoon

I don't know why the AU is classed as a "failure"? Granted the Series I Forte was a bit how's it going in the frontal looks department but that was fixed up for Series II & III. OK, the XR8 was a little underpowered compared to the equivalent model Commodore but this was rectified by Series III - and I can't see on FF 15 pages of people wondering why their motors have developed piston slap and excessive oil consumption, unlike certain other Forums...
The AU, especially the XRs seem pleasant enough on the eye IMO, no worse certainly than Commodore.
Most credible motoring journos seem to acknowledge that Ford is the better built and handling cars (compared to Commodore) but for some reason the motoring public seem to prefer the Commodores.
I think it is going to take more than one model of Falcon to turn around Ford's woes.
There is still the "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" thing that needs fixing, and I only see the gap between the Holdens and the Fords widening with Holden gaining "new" front suspension and heads for 2003.

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You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen. It said, 'Parking Fine.'So that was nice.

____o00o_=^..^=_o00o____

HP Dude

Agreed Falchoon and 3Toed.

aurora

Come on people get with it.
Holden know the market and made the car to suit even though it is an ugly bucket of bolts

Ford build better cars in all respects but don't know how to advertise it. And you don't have to buy it as it is
When the AU came out in September 98 i checked it out and after finding no faults i had it customised and everyone who has seen it said it was awesome. Even Holden Dunnydore owners
Ford stuffed up the wheels,tyres and ride height package