As a response to Holden's extra value VE Commodore Lumina (more here) and the new Toyota Kluger, Ford is taking the razor to pricing and upping specifications of some of the company's most popular cars.
Surprise, surprise; all automatic Falcons are now fitted as standard with Dynamic Stability Control ('DSC', an electronic stability program). All XR6 and XR8 models are fitted with DSC too.
Previously, DSC was standard for all turbo and V8 XR models, but not the naturally aspirated XR6. This change, in common with most of the others announced, takes effect from July 1.
DSC is also fitted as standard to all Territory models, bringing a standard ESP system to market in their volume selling SUV a month before the Kluger's local launch.
XR6 Falcon with the optional ZF six-speed auto is now offered with standard 'Interior Command Centre' (ICC) with dual-zone climate control and a premium six-stack CD audio system. This change also applies to all XR6 Turbo and XR8 models.
18-inch alloy wheels are now adopted as a standard feature for the XR6 with ZF box and both manual and auto XR6 Turbo models. These wheels were already fitted to the XR8 models prior to July 1.
"Recommended retail pricing on the Falcon XR range has been reduced by up to 4.3 per cent," Ford Australia President Tom Gorman said.
"However, if you incorporate the value of the premium features and safety equipment that has been added across the Falcon XR range, the overall value equation has improved by as much as 14.6 per cent."
As a guide, the base manual XR6 has been reduced from $39,710 to $37,990. With the standard DSC now fitted, that vehicle's effective discount is worth approximately 6.5 per cent.
For those XR models that have undergone the greater change, the prima facie price discount ranges from 2.1 per cent for the XR8 auto to 3.0 per cent for the XR6 with ZF. Adjusted for the extra features added to the vehicle's standard specification, the difference in price is effectively 7.2 per cent for the XR8 auto and 14.6 per cent for the XR6 with ZF.
In the case of the Territory, the DSC was not previously available as a standard feature of the RWD TX and TS models. Adding to the Territory package, additional convenience features will make their way into the line-up from September 1.
The Territory Ghia will regain a memory function for the six-way adjustable powered driver's seat. An electro-chromatic (auto dipping) rear vision mirror will be introduced for the Ghia at the same time.
Price reductions for the Territory range from 3.8 to 5.8 per cent. The entry level Territory TX with RWD now commences from $37,990. With the inclusion of DSC, the adjustment represents a 5.9 per cent improvement on the previous price.
"With the Compact and Medium SUV segments now more hotly contested than ever before, these changes will see Territory continue to be the first choice amongst SUV buyers and maintain its leadership position", Mr Gorman said.
Ford's Ranger light commercial vehicle range, which is a twin to the Mazda BT-50, has been singled out for new pricing and the inclusion of standard air conditioning for the base XL model cab chassis.
"Customers can now take advantage of fantastic value deals right across the Ranger line-up with price reductions of up to 13.4 per cent on 4x2 models and up to 7.7 per cent on 4x4 models," Mr Gorman said.
With the upgraded Focus due shortly, Ford advises that the new car will sell at $19,990 for the CL manual sedan and hatch -- a reduction of $1000 from the current model's $20,990. The option of side impact airbags, curtain airbags, DSC and traction control will also be offered as a safety pack.
More details of the new Focus range will be released later this week.
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