The new F150.....

[Sprint]

This should probably be in the jokes thread, but its been a source of amusement for me this week with the yanks playing up the high amount of aluminium sheetmetal being used in the 2015 F150, down to claims that GM is "following the leader" by looking to increase the amount of aluminium panels on the Colorado....

Even the Detroit News awarded it their "Overall vehicle of the year" because of the "Daring innovation" of using Aluminium panels.....

I really dont know where to start with the comments here....

[AndyG]

Next they will invent permanent 4wd, or suspension that works :)

[ramblingboy42]

seen while I was over seppoland recently.

the frontal section on these vehicles is huge.....it would be intimidating if they had genuine potential though.

I don't think they would be able to manoeuvre around some of the tracks I go on.

From the drivers seat , the real estate over the windscreen is immense......you could hold a bush dance on it.....oops its aloominum isn't now?

[3toes]

Interesting that there has been an investment note go out moving Ford from buy to watch due to the new F150. Ford shares have already falen in price. Reason given being the expense and development costs of all that aluminum in the new F150 and questions in the mind of the consumer as to long term durability. Vehicle has launched into falling fuel prices which has moved consumers away from economy and back to practicality as drivers behind purchase decisions.

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[disco man]

Some time-lapse footage of the retooling of the factory where they are building the new revolutionary aloominium pick-up truck.

http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20141218-time-lapse-how-the-ford-f-150-factory-redecorated

[loanrangie]

They didnt spend any coin in the aesthetics's department, its one ugly lump.

[wardy1]

They didnt spend any coin in the aesthetics's department, its one ugly lump.

Couldn't agree more! But this is what we'll see on our own roads more and more as Ford and GM depart our shores. Ugly, heavy inefficient and unnecessary lumps of metal.

Ever watched someone try to park one of these in a shopping centre carpark in Aus? Parking bays in the US are at least 500mm wider and probably 1m longer to accommodate these vehemoths. Turn around lanes are huge too so you need more area for parking to fit the same number of vehicles in.

[cripesamighty]

I saw a brand new F-150 Raptor on Friday. It was shoe-horned into the parking bay near a work site. Not really my cup of tea, but each to their own I guess.

[BMKal]

I saw a brand new F-150 Raptor on Friday. It was shoe-horned into the parking bay near a work site. Not really my cup of tea, but each to their own I guess.

Have to agree with you there. ;)

I've seen a couple of these in Perth. Ugly great oversize lumps of rubbish in my opinion, but whatever floats your boat. :D

But ..................... you have to give them yanks credit for introducing new technology into the motoring industry with their innovative use of aluminium body panels. :lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:

[BigBlackDog]

I have driven a Raptor F150, it's a big bus. They are about as long as a 130 but the width is something to behold. They are a cheap truck over there, it's the steering conversion that makes them pricy. Stupid thing I think, I'd hate to live with it. Sounds cool though :)

[BMKal]

I have driven a Raptor F150, it's a big bus. They are about as long as a 130 but the width is something to behold. They are a cheap truck over there, it's the steering conversion that makes them pricy. Stupid thing I think, I'd hate to live with it. Sounds cool though :)

Hope it wasn't in Tassie. :eek::eek::eek:

You'd be struggling to find enough room to turn the thing around down there without pushing everyone else off the island. :p:p:p:p

[disco man]

I have driven a Raptor F150, it's a big bus. They are about as long as a 130 but the width is something to behold. They are a cheap truck over there, it's the steering conversion that makes them pricy. Stupid thing I think, I'd hate to live with it. Sounds cool though :)

I know what you mean,my mate has a Toyota Tundra and its a horrible big thing to drive,not something I would want to live with either.

[AllTerr]

They aren't that bad to drive. I grew up with them. Prior to moving here, that's all I ever owned....


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[BigBlackDog]

It's not that bad to drive honestly, the stupid bit would be living with it. Wider than a standard suburb, burns more fuel than a standard train, can't use it as a ute cause you might damage the pretty bodywork. Maybe in America it works, big parks and cheap fuel.

[wrinklearthur]

Hope it wasn't in Tassie. :eek::eek::eek:

You'd be struggling to find enough room to turn the thing around down there without pushing everyone else off the island. :p:p:p:p

Settle down! It's small because we have all our real estate tied up in hills.

Love the exhaust note when they throttle back coming down the straight towards home.
.

[999]

Nothing wrong the American trucks. Great to drive, effortless power, lots of room. I'd have one in heart beat for my daily commute. Go to North America and you soon want one as well.
And they still have vehicle manufacturing industry so they are doing something right.

[Yorkie]

Nothing wrong the American trucks. Great to drive, effortless power, lots of room. I'd have one in heart beat for my daily commute. Go to North America and you soon want one as well.
And they still have vehicle manufacturing industry so they are doing something right.


I believe they also have a decent population to support such industry?

[999]

I believe they also have a decent population to support such industry?
I find that a bit hard to swallow. I feel as a country we allow others to abuse our good will and fail to protect our own. We relinquish tariffs to our own detriment for short term relationships. And it's not just the motor vehicle industry either.

[JamesH]

Maybe we should introduce US labour laws and see if we can get some manufacturing happening again. Or not?

[BigJon]

After seeing this thread I spent some time looking at f150 Raptor videos online. Now I want a Shelby Raptor!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZANDpBhZMk4

[999]

Maybe we should introduce US labour laws and see if we can get some manufacturing happening again. Or not?

Yeh maybe we should cost of living would be pretty similar.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/203.jpg (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/2000cats/media/usprice_zpsf7b55f8d.png.html)

[TerryO]

I find that a bit hard to swallow. I feel as a country we allow others to abuse our good will and fail to protect our own. We relinquish tariffs to our own detriment for short term relationships. And it's not just the motor vehicle industry either.

As Liam said a lot of it comes down to economy of scale 23,000,000 people (potential customers) versus 317,000,000 people (potential customers).

Plus tariffs aren't the answer, they only make things more expensive, might keep a few thousands of people in work but everyone who buys a car has to pay way more. Eventually with protectionist tariffs it gets that expensive that you can't afford to buy anything including the local car so the outcome is the same, it all starts to fail and then you find up with even more protectionist policy. Like it or not Australia has a much higher standard of living because of government policies (both Labor and Coalition) which have gone down the path of a free open market.

Again economy of scale has a lot to do with it, it's not the only reason but it is one of the main ones.

[frantic]

As Liam said a lot of it comes down to economy of scale 23,000,000 people (potential customers) versus 317,000,000 people (potential customers).

Plus tariffs aren't the answer, they only make things more expensive, might keep a few thousands of people in work but everyone who buys a car has to pay way more. Eventually with protectionist tariffs it gets that expensive that you can't afford to buy anything including the local car so the outcome is the same, it all starts to fail and then you find up with even more protectionist policy. Like it or not Australia has a much higher standard of living because of government policies (both Labor and Coalition) which have gone down the path of a free open market.

Again economy of scale has a lot to do with it, it's not the only reason but it is one of the main ones.
Actually that's wrong.
Thailand, you know the country we have a "free trade deal with" has sales of 1.3 million and exported .................850,000 vehicles last year(production is around 2.2-2.4million and is planning to build 1million plus. go do a search on what the "tax" would have been on a ford territory or commodore to be sold there. Then look at every ute and dual cab as they are almost all made in Thailand. Bt50, ranger D-max, Colorado ,triton, navara etc
In June 2009, the Thailand Board of Investment expanded its automotive incentive scheme to cover automobiles that have high technologies that are new to Thailand, such as hybrid drive, brake energy regeneration and electronic stability control. The BOI's new policy, which is designed to attract international automakers looking to restructure by relocating production facilities overseas, provides a range of incentives, including corporate income tax holidays of between 5 and 7 years.
Thailand’s Automotive Industry (http://www.business-in-asia.com/automotive/thailand_automotive.html)
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Thailand-set-for-record-auto-production-30190808.html
Now last year we had 1.13 million in sales. and our govt supported the industry to about $1966 per car. the U.S.A supported its industry to almost $3000 , hang on didn't they just pull out and move their manufacturing out? I wonder why?


FactCheck: do other countries subsidise their car industry more than we do? (http://theconversation.com/factcheck-do-other-countries-subsidise-their-car-industry-more-than-we-do-16308)


Now I wonder if we either matched the U.S at $3k/car subsidy or did something similar to Thailand with 5-7 or even 8 years tax free would we have a disappearing car industry or a growing one?

[Pinelli]

I'm quite happy with foreign governments & taxpayers subsidising the cost of new cars here in Australia :p

As far as the Aus government subsidising cars made here, do we really want our tax dollars going to make cars cheaper for people wealthy enough to purchase new cars? We've already seen the government subsidise people who are wealthy enough to purchase solar panels, and give free roof insulation to people who earn enough to have a mortgage or own their own home. It's funny how many well-meaning programs end up giving money to the wealthy or middle class, and not to those who actually need direct support.

[frantic]

I'm quite happy with foreign governments & taxpayers subsidising the cost of new cars here in Australia :p

As far as the Aus government subsidising cars made here, do we really want our tax dollars going to make cars cheaper for people wealthy enough to purchase new cars? We've already seen the government subsidise people who are wealthy enough to purchase solar panels, and give free roof insulation to people who earn enough to have a mortgage or own their own home. It's funny how many well-meaning programs end up giving money to the wealthy or middle class, and not to those who actually need direct support.

We've been through the figures before, but it boils down to for every dollar the Govt subsidised the car industry it saved/made between 2.5 and 3 dollars.
The car companies pay GST and tax when making a profit. They employ around 100-200,000 who all pay tax and spend their pay paying more GST, and other taxes. This figure alone is more than the support abbot cut. Then you factor in welfare to all those who are now unemployed and again that figure is greater than the support scheme that was cut. End result, more unemployed and needy.

Would you stop an investment plan that reduces your costs and increases your income by 2.5 times the amount you invested? We did:eek:

[PAT303]

Why didn't Ford make the Ranger here?,likewise Holden?,Toyota with the Hilux?,why,because they could not give a stuff about Australia or Australian jobs or paying Australian taxes,all three could have kept the lines going by making vehicles Australians wanted but they would rather make them oversea's to make more money,why should Australian tax payers support companies like that?. Pat

[BMKal]

We've been through the figures before, but it boils down to for every dollar the Govt subsidised the car industry it saved/made between 2.5 and 3 dollars.
The car companies pay GST and tax when making a profit. They employ around 100-200,000 who all pay tax and spend their pay paying more GST, and other taxes. This figure alone is more than the support abbot cut. Then you factor in welfare to all those who are now unemployed and again that figure is greater than the support scheme that was cut. End result, more unemployed and needy.

Would you stop an investment plan that reduces your costs and increases your income by 2.5 times the amount you invested? We did:eek:

Here we go again with the same old drivel. ;)

Fact 1 - Ford announced that they were shutting up shop in Australia well before the last election.

Fact 2 - Holden has publicly announced on more than one occasion that the outcome of the last election had no bearing whatsoever on their decision to cease manufacturing in Australia - their decision was also taken (in Detroit) well before the outcome of the election in Australia was known.

Fact 3 - Once Ford and Holden were "gone", it followed that Toyota would do the same as the rest of the industry (external parts manufacturers etc) could never survive with only the one client.

Once the "big three" had made their decisions public, why would any government continue to pour subsidies into companies who had already announced their intentions to take the money and run. :no2:

But according to some, it's all Abbott's fault ................. :eek:

Never let the facts get in the way of another chance to promote your one eyed political views, hey. It's all getting pretty boring really. ;)

[frantic]

Here we go again with the same old drivel. ;)

Fact 1 - Ford announced that they were shutting up shop in Australia well before the last election.

Fact 2 - Holden has publicly announced on more than one occasion that the outcome of the last election had no bearing whatsoever on their decision to cease manufacturing in Australia - their decision was also taken (in Detroit) well before the outcome of the election in Australia was known.

Fact 3 - Once Ford and Holden were "gone", it followed that Toyota would do the same as the rest of the industry (external parts manufacturers etc) could never survive with only the one client.

Once the "big three" had made their decisions public, why would any government continue to pour subsidies into companies who had already announced their intentions to take the money and run. :no2:

But according to some, it's all Abbott's fault ................. :eek:

Never let the facts get in the way of another chance to promote your one eyed political views, hey. It's all getting pretty boring really. ;)
Fact one , continually ignored, election outcome was known , it was just a question of by what margin.
Fact two, Ignore the previous post that shows a 50% higher support to build cars in the U.S and ignore the fact that it would be a big motivator to build in either Thailand , where its tax free for at least 7 years, or the U.S where youget $3000 per car.
Fact three. Links would be nice, like say when did A certain person announce that all subsidies to the car industry would be cut? From memory it was 2010.In 2011/12 all three where committed to build here to at least 2016.
Now with Gillard going backwards in the polls at warp speed the car industry could see the future writing on the wall. Why drop hundreds of millions here to develop a new model when for the same outlay they would pay no tax in Thailand or get $3000/car extra in the U.S(cut our $1900 as he promised)
Fact four. We paid about $18 to the car industry in subsidies OUCH!. To the mines we paid about $200 to banks about $760 so lets really level the field? or not?
LINKS : ;)
Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/how-taxpayers-cosset-the-banks/story-fnc2jivw-1226377855248)
$4bn subsidy for mine sector (http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/4bn-subsidy-for-mine-sector-20120417-1x5sw.html)


So lets stop playing high and mighty on subsidies, Unless you have no children, live in a cave, avoid Weet-Bix, The Marriage of Figaro, and Dimboola, while consuming only dairy products, You. Are. Subsidised But He targeted one area to sacrifice.

[TerryO]

Frantic, the main reason its easier and cheaper to build cars in Thailand is their low wage base. Yes Thailand has protectionism but they are a third world country struggling to have some sort of steady financial future other than sandy beaches, prostitution and cheap beer.
Australians and their Unions wouldn't work for the wages your average Thai gets, but that's ok you keep blaming politicians if that makes you feel better.

However no matter how many times you say it its not going to change anything nor will it bring back a industry that saw no future building vehicles here because of costs and tiny production runs of unpopular cars.

Just think about this before you next blame politicians, Australians stopped buying locally produced cars in mass years ago and when Australians wouldn't buy enough locally built cars to make the industry viable what future did the industry have?

So why keep it going when hardly anyone else in the world wanted our locally designed cars either. By the way I believe I have a right to comment on this as I have done just as much as anyone else to support the local industry, if not more. In the last 16 years I have supported the local car industry by buying the following locally produced cars and apart from the first two of them the rest were new.

VT Calais x 2
VY Calais
VY II Monaro
VY II HSV R8 Clubsport
VE HSV Senator
VE S3 HSV Senator

I still own the Series 3 Senator which I bought after buying the D1, D2 and D3 so even though I now mainly own foreign built vehicles I still bought a new locally produced car when the chance arose.

Most people I know who whinge about the local car industry closing down don't and often never have owned a locally produced car, which I find amusing even though they don't see the irony.

[frantic]

Frantic, the main reason its easier and cheaper to build cars in Thailand is their low wage base.
Australians and their Unions wouldn't work for the wages your average Thai gets, but that's ok you keep blaming politicians if that makes you feel better.

However no matter how many times you say it its not going to change anything nor will it bring back a industry that saw no future building vehicles here because of costs and tiny production runs.

Just think about this before you next blame politicians, Australians wouldn't buy enough locally built cars to make the industry viable so why keep it going when hardly anyone else in the world wanted our locally designed cars either.
Holden considers asking workers to take pay cuts (http://www.theage.com.au/national/holden-considers-asking-workers-to-take-pay-cuts-20130618-2ogh7.html)


Labour cost= $2000, govt subsidy used to be 1900 hmmm so in reality labour costs after subsidy= $100,,,,, I can smell what feeds roses here.
Ranger/Everest(Bt50 85%, ugly nose by japan) designed here built in Thailand as they pay ZERO tax on profit.
But don't worry their planning on building 2.5 million cars(utes mainly) and exporting over 1/2 in the next few years. with around 300,000 employed there.


Go do a 30 sec google on why Holden did not export to the U.S or china. Nothing to do with product but politics.
Have a look at the new disco sport silhouette it is almost identical to a territory, but nobody wants a soft roader with a combo of petrol and diesel engines do they?(fastest growing sector in automotive for several years) How many territories would we have sold if they where exported to Europe from 06/7 and the U.S with the 2.7 tdv6 for e.u and the T6/na6 for U.S? Again politics stopped it.
Aussie RWD cars for the cops in U.S as no other RWD replacement there a few years ago, again stopped by politics.


An extra $1000 on a 35-85,000 dollar car is not the killer. The killer is the 50% tax that a "supposed free trade partner" puts on it. Or when head office refuses to allow them to be exported or only to isolated cases. Why would you send Statesman/caprice to Saudi Arabia but not both commodore and caprice to china which is doubling its sales every 2-4 years?

[Pinelli]

We've been through the figures before, but it boils down to for every dollar the Govt subsidised the car industry it saved/made between 2.5 and 3 dollars.
The car companies pay GST and tax when making a profit. They employ around 100-200,000 who all pay tax and spend their pay paying more GST, and other taxes. This figure alone is more than the support abbot cut. Then you factor in welfare to all those who are now unemployed and again that figure is greater than the support scheme that was cut. End result, more unemployed and needy.

Would you stop an investment plan that reduces your costs and increases your income by 2.5 times the amount you invested? We did:eek:

Business don't pay net GST. GST is only levelled against the final consumer, which means the government collects the same GST on car purchases regardless of whether they are made here or abroad.

And I don't know how you get the figure of 100-200k people supported by the subsidies. That must include an awful lot of people who are only marginally associated with car manufacturing in Australia, and would receive very little benefit from the subsidy. I think your maths is off, or has been done by the unions representing car manufacturers.

[AndyG]

Protectionism vs free trade, we are drifting away from the technological marvels of the F150:p

If you want that debate there is a special corner for it.

[frantic]

Frantic, believe what you like the thing is the industry is gone so whinging and pointing fingers at politicians you don't like won't bring it back.

Out of interest do you own at present a relatively new Commodore or a Falcon? If you do then apart from supporting local industry you own something most Australians aren't interested in buying.

The part you keep ignoring is most Australians stopped buying some time ago locally produced cars. So out of interest do you actually own a locally produced car?
I have but the point your missing is us being locked out of export markets. Would any luxo euro barge be made if it was just sold in Germany? How many of the e.u cars would continue in production if they where locked into only home soil sales?
In 2012 BMW and merc each sold just over 283,000 in Germany. They sell well over 12 different models of vehicles each ,with the large 5 series and e-class selling around 45-48,000 each. Now isn't that the figure that falcon sold last year? Why aren't they chopping that model, oops that's right they export. The Passat sold 89,000 about the Commodores number.
German Car Market dropped 16% in December 2012. BMW outpaced Mercedes. - Focus2Move (http://focus2move.com/german-car-market-dropped-16-in-december-2012-bmw-outpaced-mercedes/)

Actually I'm in a specific and very small market, I have owned 5 australian built cars, but with 7 members in my family there is nothing with enough room. I have owned aussie built that was the right size at the time. Small, we used to make corollas, I had a 2 year old aussie built one. Medium, I had a 3 year old Camry when it really was medium not like today where it's bigger than a commodore from 88. I've owned an older statesman and a , at the time , 3 year old one with a lovely v8:D that was as nice as a relos 7 series and it went far better.
The territory has 7 seats but no room for a 2 seat pram plus shopping, and how does a kid get in the boot seats over 2 -3 car booster seats in the middle row?We almost bought a D2 as well as my 9 seat def but ended up with a multi-van. A German built van that gets more subsidies than oz or the u.s;). But a lack of a plan killed our industry. Instead of building in 3-4 different classes to increase volume, they all focused on one area, which killed them when that shrunk.
The engine in my wife's multivan is also in the golf, Passat, transporter, amarok, various Audi models, ditto seat models, ditto Skoda models. All in different states of tune with anything from 100kw upto twin turbo donks.
Let's see, toyota fit 2 engines here, both of which are used in other well selling models, RAV4 , Kluger. As I said before the ranger could have been built here but it's 100% tax free where it's being built now. That would have given us the Everest on the same base and the potential to fit a falcon with either puma tdci engine. All of which would be good export earners.
Another missed opportunity was the closing of Pontiac brand. Holden could have been sold globally as Pontiac with a wide variety of models like BMW/ merc. But that boats sailed.
In another 10 years time I would have liked to get a newish holden, toyota or ford as well as my defender when we don't need so many seats, but that's going to be some other car now.

A little thought "The Germans are also looking at electric car subsidies. The Germans also subsidize their car industry to the tune of about $US95 per capita. A far cry from Australia's $AUD18. Not quite the $US260 the Americans pay per head"
Car industry subsidies in perspective | | MacroBusiness (http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2013/04/car-industry-subsidies-in-perspective/).
P.s it's not protectionism if your just matching other nations subsidies, it is true free trade ;)

[muddymech]

F150 raptor slower to 60 than an aulro page goes to politics

[Tote]

Om so here is my dilemma and why I find the thought of a US made full size pickup appealing.
I currently have a D3 and a Falcon RTV ute which I drive regularly. we have 2 kids, 8 and 11 who have been dragged across the country (and the US) since they were in baby capsules. I am looking for a vehicle that will replace these two and will provide the following features:
1) A tray at least as large as the Falcon Ute
2) 3.5 tonne towing capacity
3) Capable of carrying the family on 4wd touring trips comfortably

The list that I have come up with so far is:
Currently unavailable at a reasonable price
F250 4x4 Dual Cab in a trim level that at least includes rear leather seats ( I have a disco 3 remember)
Dodge Ram dual cab
GMC Silverado Dual Cab

any of these can be had in the US for less than $60K

Available in OZ

130 Dual Cab - no creature comforts and every time I convince myself I could live with a defender I go for a ride in one
Toyota Dual cab 70 series. Pretty much the same as the Defender but I would have to drive a Toyota.
Iveco 4x4 - I would love one of these however the same grey vinyl interior applies and I could not sell it to the family as a touring vehicle.

So the sooner the government allows the import of a wider range of vehicles and dismantle the luxury car tax the happier I'll be. Even though they do not suit my needs I am astounded that the smaller dual cab utes like the Ranger, Colorado etc do not offer properly trimmed rear interiors as an option on anything other than the hero models.

My small glimmer of hope is that the new defender will offer something that is a reasonable performer in this space.

Regards,
Tote

[AllTerr]

Om so here is my dilemma and why I find the thought of a US made full size pickup appealing.
I currently have a D3 and a Falcon RTV ute which I drive regularly. we have 2 kids, 8 and 11 who have been dragged across the country (and the US) since they were in baby capsules. I am looking for a vehicle that will replace these two and will provide the following features:
1) A tray at least as large as the Falcon Ute
2) 3.5 tonne towing capacity
3) Capable of carrying the family on 4wd touring trips comfortably

The list that I have come up with so far is:
Currently unavailable at a reasonable price
F250 4x4 Dual Cab in a trim level that at least includes rear leather seats ( I have a disco 3 remember)
Dodge Ram dual cab
GMC Silverado Dual Cab

any of these can be had in the US for less than $60K

Available in OZ

130 Dual Cab - no creature comforts and every time I convince myself I could live with a defender I go for a ride in one
Toyota Dual cab 70 series. Pretty much the same as the Defender but I would have to drive a Toyota.
Iveco 4x4 - I would love one of these however the same grey vinyl interior applies and I could not sell it to the family as a touring vehicle.

So the sooner the government allows the import of a wider range of vehicles and dismantle the luxury car tax the happier I'll be. Even though they do not suit my needs I am astounded that the smaller dual cab utes like the Ranger, Colorado etc do not offer properly trimmed rear interiors as an option on anything other than the hero models.

My small glimmer of hope is that the new defender will offer something that is a reasonable performer in this space.

Regards,
Tote

You'd love the F250. I had 2 of them in the USA.....


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[Sprint]

re: Thailand and the free trade agreement.....

The Thai's dropped import tariffs for cars, and suddenly things looked rosy for the Ford Territory, but then they introduced a new tax on vehicles with engines larger than 3 litres..... a very backhanded way of protecting thier own, but also very smart....

[3toes]

re: Thailand and the free trade agreement..... The Thai's dropped import tariffs for cars, and suddenly things looked rosy for the Ford Territory, but then they introduced a new tax on vehicles with engines larger than 3 litres..... a very backhanded way of protecting thier own, but also very smart....

Southern Ireland played a similar card here in the EU. They had a charge for bringing in cars from the UK or elsewhere. This was set at a level to make buying a car from the UK uneconomic. Reason being to protect the local car dealers who were charging more than you could buy the same car in the UK. Seems that as a smaller market their costs are higher and so cannot compete with larger markets on price. Case taken to EU and charge had to be dropped as was not allowed under EU rules. Consumers did not win though as the Bureaucrats had a new first registration fee in place to go live before the old charge hand expired. New first registration fee still serves the same purpose of protecting local car dealers just that it is 'legal'.

[frantic]

Om so here is my dilemma and why I find the thought of a US made full size pickup appealing.
I currently have a D3 and a Falcon RTV ute which I drive regularly. we have 2 kids, 8 and 11 who have been dragged across the country (and the US) since they were in baby capsules. I am looking for a vehicle that will replace these two and will provide the following features:
1) A tray at least as large as the Falcon Ute
2) 3.5 tonne towing capacity
3) Capable of carrying the family on 4wd touring trips comfortably

The list that I have come up with so far is:
Currently unavailable at a reasonable price
F250 4x4 Dual Cab in a trim level that at least includes rear leather seats ( I have a disco 3 remember)
Dodge Ram dual cab
GMC Silverado Dual Cab

any of these can be had in the US for less than $60K

Available in OZ

130 Dual Cab - no creature comforts and every time I convince myself I could live with a defender I go for a ride in one
Toyota Dual cab 70 series. Pretty much the same as the Defender but I would have to drive a Toyota.
Iveco 4x4 - I would love one of these however the same grey vinyl interior applies and I could not sell it to the family as a touring vehicle.

So the sooner the government allows the import of a wider range of vehicles and dismantle the luxury car tax the happier I'll be. Even though they do not suit my needs I am astounded that the smaller dual cab utes like the Ranger, Colorado etc do not offer properly trimmed rear interiors as an option on anything other than the hero models.

My small glimmer of hope is that the new defender will offer something that is a reasonable performer in this space.

Regards,
Tote
Umm you can get a F250 ,for about $120-140,000. Now being honest a D3 new is $70-120k, a leather packed one is at least $80k and a ford falcon ute is at least $35k so even with the cheapest models your in the same ballpark. Southern classic has 2 F350 diesels(134-139k) dual cabs with new 'ks and a very nice raptor dual cab (120k!!!)which ive driven past and a few times.
Welcome | Southern Classic Cars - New Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, Volkswagen, Skoda, Suzuki, Nissan & Ford Cars (DL 19437) (http://southernclassiccars.com.au/ehub/#load-5)

[AllTerr]

Umm you can get a F250 ,for about $120-140,000. Now being honest a D3 new is $70-120k, a leather packed one is at least $80k and a ford falcon ute is at least $35k so even with the cheapest models your in the same ballpark. Southern classic has 2 F350 diesels(134-139k) dual cabs with new 'ks and a very nice raptor dual cab (120k!!!)which ive driven past and a few times.
Welcome | Southern Classic Cars - New Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, Volkswagen, Skoda, Suzuki, Nissan & Ford Cars (DL 19437) (http://southernclassiccars.com.au/ehub/#load-5)

That to me is just insane prices. I bought my 09 F350 FX4 diesel brand new fully loaded for less than 40k hahaha. Big price difference between here and back there....


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[Tote]

My point exactly, if I can get a Disco with all the nice bits for 80 - 90K why should I pay 120 - 130K for a truck ? I realise that the converters are selling to a particular market and that they need to make a quid but considering the list price of these vehicles in the US it's a bit hard to imagine that whichever company decides to do one in factory RHD won't clean up. Look at how many Jeep Grand Cherokees are on the road. Chrysler's decision to make them in RHD and price them realistically would appear to be paying off.

Regards,
Tote

[frantic]

That to me is just insane prices. I bought my 09 F350 FX4 diesel brand new fully loaded for less than 40k hahaha. Big price difference between here and back there....


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Yup mirror conversion is about $35-40k and they are all hand converted.
They also had a ram for $116k


Ive said it before, but they could make a lot of sales with a full sized pikup here. The prime candidate is Fiat-Chrysler/jeep, they charge about $12,000 extra for importing and factory RHD in most models, even their hi-po 300c 6.4V8 core is only $11,000 more here than in the U.S.
Just imagine the impact of a dodge ram 1500 for around the same prices as a hilux, going from $35,000-$60,000 for the laramine
Then imagine the 2500 with a 6.7 litre 6cyl cummins turbo diesel(the 5.7 petrol V8 is $8,100 cheaper) from high $40's to about $75,000. would they sell any series landcruisers?
The other 3 large groups would have to much impact on their range if they brought in full sized pik-ups at a factory RHD rate. Ford would impact on ranger sales, Gm on Colorado, and it would be worse at toymota as both Hilux and landcruiser/series would be affected.


Didn't see your post tote, your both right and wrong :) right that a D4 would be far far nicer and cheaper than a converted F250 but wrong when you add in having a falcon ute at $35,000. You are now matching the F250/ram price but paying 2x rego, insurance , ctp , twice as much garage space, double servicing, double tyres, but probably better fuel costs.

[wrinklearthur]

Spotted in Salamanca Place on the way to the 'Taste' last night.

A current year F450 Ute, White, Duals and BIG!

Easily the largest vehicle in the street, bar the Contractors trucks doing their jobs.
.

[AllTerr]

Then there's always this one.....

http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R=24205794


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