Popped out to Holden's Elizabeth plant today .... to do some VY spotting and sure enough the yard is full of them.
Having seen some BA's in the flesh and coming away thinking the Falcon was a classy looking animal I was keen to contrast that with the changes from VX to VY.
My first impressions of the VY is that its new styling makes the car look smaller (shorter and narrower), particularly the rear and that Holden have definitely got the proportions of the car VERY WRONG.
You wonder how Holden came to this styling decision given the same criticism (about proportion) applied to AU1 in particular, and perhaps a little less so in AU2 and Series III. Just amazing really.
There is no doubt the rear of the VY does look like a Magna/Lancer or Honda Civic because of the tailights (in particular), although you can guess that they were trying to introduce (current model) Vectra cues to it. But it doesn't work and I think they've failed. The car looks odd or "wrong" because of the contrast between the very "edgy and lined" front and rear versus the soft, bubbly sides.
What does this all mean?
As we all know, there are die hard Falcon and Commode buyers and they are unlikley to change their buying decision. Once a Ford or GM man, always a Ford or GM man etc etc.
Like a Federal election, its the swinging voters that are going to make the change. Over the past 4 years, a lot of these swingers went to Holden, but I predict that the vast majority are now going to come back to the Ford fold, not just because of the styling but also because of the other VAST improvements to the Falcon.
From Day One, I'll predict that Falcon sales will increase straight away to say 5000 a month . By about 6 months, Falcon will be doing well over 6000 a month consistently.
Other Predictions
1. GM will have a Commode SVP (eg. an Equipe) with free air and alloys by Christmas to try and tempt back private buyers, who will by then be voting with their feet (and $$$'s) at Ford Dealers.
2. GM will try to heavy the media with stories and try to discredit the Falcon in every way possible.
Hope this thread induces some interesting and thoughtful comment.
Too true my friend!
You think after checking out theyre (holdens) demographic of disillusioned AU-turn-VT buyers, they woulda figured out that the general populace didnt like the proportioning of the AU.
Ross Mackenzie, your in for the ride of your life!- what did you mean when you said that a switch can be turned on easily but it takes a lot to turn it off- I think the VY has proven that its a whole lot easier than it seems
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I have recently seen the VY and i have seen a BA. My first impressions of the VY are as follows:
1. The new styling at the back makes it look small and narrow.
2. The back end while narrow, doesn't run with the front as the front is more flat and sharp nosed.
3. The middle of the car looks weird with front and back.
I too was affraid that i would be proven wrong once i say the VY in the flesh, but it has done the exact opposite, and made me dislike it even further. Although, i have to say, the berlina's and calais back look alright (thanx to bigger lights and one white strip for indicater and reverse lights), but the front end is still too flat and sharp. This is only my opinion, but this is my honest one!
__________________
Losing my license wasn't the smartest thing i have ever done, but now i can save my ass off and buy a V8!!
Well, I haven't seen either the BA or VY in the flesh yet. I guess studying, and not getting around causes that. To be 100% honest, if i was a Holden loyalist, i doubt i'd find to much wrong with the look of the new VY. It obviously isn't the best thing they could have done, but i'm sure it's not going to phase customers to much.
In Contrast, the BA is absolutely awesome, and should definetly level the playing field.
There is nothing majorly wrong with the commodore, unlike where the AU (in my opinion) was an absolute tragedy (except XR's, and Fairmonths with the original body kit).
The VY is definetly not as scary as the AU1 forte, sorry for anyone who owns one.
I have seen the VY SS in the flesh and i thought it looked very good, all bias aside i have no hesitation bagging holden. It is different than the current trend of commodores but i think it works. As for the Ba havnt seen any in the flesh yet so cant really comment, i think the Xr models look very good, but the other models look pretty plain in my opinion, much better than the AU but not as great as some make them out to be.
i havent seen any in the flesh yet, but i must say that i like SS and Calais (only if they've gotten rid of that CRAP servotronic steering thou). the base models (Exec and Acclaim) are nasty but they always have been. its always the SS and Calais that are the only models i like.
My favourite Falcon pre BA was Fairmont Ghia with XR 17s and bodykit like on the 'we have igntion' ads. i think all BA models look very professional tho the Futura looks a little tame and the XT not much better, but these are to appeal to the masses so they have to be. my favs in the BA range is the XRs and Ghia. funny how i only like the equivilant models in BA and VY. im looking foward to LWB range thou and im hoping the Fairlanes/LTDs ditch using the wagon back doors cos they look very cheap
I havent seen any of these cars in the flesh... but from looking at photos on another Forum... the BA XR6T looks great... the VY SS front looks great... but the rear... looks wrong...
The VY front has kinda grown on me since the first time i saw it...
But can't say the same for the rear end... it's styling is too much like a Magna/Lancer/Civic....
I believe that Ford have a good chance at gaining the sales this time around....
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You can not have a baby in one month by impregnating nine Women
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