Holden doesn’t like the Ford Mondeo
May 14, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Holden are still a little bitter about the negative publicity the Holden Epica has caused, so to attract some attention elsewhere, they have taken a stab at Ford and the new Ford Mondeo. Holden believes the new Mondeo is doomed to failure due to its high price.
At the launch of the Epica, which incidentally is replacing the the European (Opel-built) Vectra, a move which Ford has still refused todo. Holden’s marketing director John Elsworth was a little burnt when discussing the new Mondeo
“We tested the market with an expensive mid-sized model and it didn’t work”.
Holden believes that Australian’s are not willing to pay for quality European cars, and would much rather prefer to buy the cheaper Korean made alternative, whilst this may be true, it doesn’t mean the Ford Mondeo will be a flop.
Expect more news on the Ford Mondeo in the upcoming days, there has been little word from Ford regarding the pricing or Australian specifications for the Mondeo, however we do know it will land sometime in October.
Print it: 
OMG, where do we get some of these tossers………
What the f..k has a Bond film got to with how good a car is, f..k all I say.
Four letter word begining with “F”. At least the Territory is made in Australia, Holdenwoo SUX COX, FORD ROX THE KAZBA!!!
Holden stans for…
H olden O wners L oose D ick E very N ight W ow O hh O utch
When the Ford in line 6 is replaced there should be some interesting comparison between the locally built 6 versus the imported one?
It’s a shame the I6 will go, it is really the last truly Aussie engine, and a great one. The problem is the aussie market is small compared to the rest of the world, having to meet Euro IV standards, etc.
With greater volume, hence budget, I think Aussie engineers could make it meet Euro IV and include Direct Injection (gas and petrol).
I’m looking at an Orion Typhoon, I want an Aussie designed and built hi-po turbo six, and F6 is the only choice.
The reason that the last Vectra did not sell is the same reason that the Apollo and Taurus did not sell well.
Why would you purchase a smaller front drive car that is at best equally equipped to a Commodore or Falcon for less money?
Ford should not criticise Holden for marketing re fried Korean cars though as Ford sold the Korean Festiva for years. Their “German Engineered” advertising borders on misleading too.
I think that it’s time ADR’s for new cars were updated to include clear and permanent “country of origin” labels
Actually, the Taurus is roughly the same dimensions as the Falcon and way better spec’ed. It didnt do well because Ford Australia deliberately didnt market it out of spite for the US parent company. They pitched it right alongside the Fairmont and while the Taurus was technically a better car, the typical buyer in that market would make the conservative choice.
Did I read the some korean crap is to replace the vectra next time. What are GM doing..why would anyone wnat to buy a korean vauxhall when they can buy the genuine korean sh1te at a cheaper rate. We Euro boys will not tolerate rubbish and will vote with our wallets. Buy the Mondy it will be far better.
Taurus? I understand it has a great warranty but it is one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen. I’m am a Ford man but the looks of the Taurus makes me feel embarrassed. Maybe that’s why it didn’t do well in Oz. Can’t blame Ford Oz for getting pissed of at Ford USA.
The Mondeo will do very well in this country. It really competes with the Mazda 6 and Honda Accord, but it will steal sales from the larger cars (Falcon, Commodore, 380) too.
Holden have lost the plot; they now offer a million different models that no-one wants (like Ford were doing about 7 years ago before they fixed their model lineup). The VE Commodore is too thirsty to dominate the market from now on.
Looking at Ford and Holden’s current lineup, in every class except the large car class, I would buy the Ford…
Barina vs Fiesta (no-brainer: Fiesta).
Epica vs Mondeo (no-brainer: Mondeo).
Captiva vs Territory (no brainer: Territory).
Astra vs Focus (closer, but I’d choose the Focus).
Commodore vs Falcon (I’d probably go for the Commodore at the moment; sure, they’re more thirsty, but not by much).
Also, Holden saying that they tried an expensive Euro and it failed is a furphy. They tried selling a *crap* expensive Euro (the Vectra), and it failed. Ford are selling an excellent Euro (I’ve never seen any journalist say a bad thing about the new Mondeo, ever). They’ll sell.
It turnd out the Mondeo is not that “high priced” as Holden thought it would be.
Well said CaptainReality, but I would still buy the Falcon, (Orion) comming soon before even looking at the commondore, this VE model still has warranty problems and I’m already tired of looking at them, over the time Ford BF has been around even up till now it became and is successful mabybe not in overall sales but for driving in general and ownership it wins in spades.. Go Ford Mondeo for winning Australia’s Best mid size car award it deserve all the praise…
I just bought a Mondeo XR5 and picked it up today. Its a dream to drive, the cost is worth it due to all the features, although I’m not in any way fussed about the price. Holden are green with envy – obviously.
^^^Hope it’s going to be a good car!
It’s a ripper so far, but thats less than 24 hours into it. What I thought might be a difficult dashboard to work out, with all the computer stuff and buttons etc, actually turns out to be very user friendly. I had a few issues putting petrol in the tank initially (but that might be because I’m a girl – right guys).
I’m taking it for a long run with plenty of speed variations today, partly freeway and partly city driving, so I should really get a feel for it. There aren’t many on the road and my understanding is Ford won’t release many xr5, at least for a while.
I looked at Epica and a few other Holden types but was put right off by the Korean manufacturing. Can’t beat Euro design, especially when it comes with a Volvo turbo engine.
The baseline mondeo is about $4000 different to the epica
Just looking at the Royal Auto magazine that RACV sends me. In 2007 Australia’s Best Cars awards the TDCi Mondeo has won the “Best Mid-Size Car Over $28,000″ award.
Here’s hoping Orion has taken a lot of cues from Mondeo.
In the “Best Mid-Size Car Under $28,000″ the Epica came 17th. That speaks volumes to me.
Top choice Sarah. A mate of mine has bought a Focus XR5Turbo and he loves it. That surprised me because he always had Commodores. His last was a black VT SS.
Just traded my BAGT (great car but fuel was getting a bit much)on a mondeo tdci. WOW brilliant, this is a great car. Currently getting about 5.9 to 6.2l per 100ks on highway. If anyone was in the market for a base model falcon,commodore i wouldnt hesitate in saying the mondeo would be a better way to go. Big leg room and huge boot. realy cant fault it.BRILLIANT
You think Holden’s Daewoo lineup is sad, check out Chev’s lineup on their site. To see this classic American mark made up of sooo much Korean crap, gee whiz it’s a sad site.
I’ve got an EF Fairmont, what a tank, lol.
justin-MOND GT. Glad to hear your happy with the TDCi Mondeo. From what I’ve heard it is damn good.
I could handle a diesel I think, but I can’t quite switch to FWD tho (I’ve owned a couple).
great car this one. my F6 typhoon is much better though =]
Sour grapes Holden. Get over it. You failed to market the good looking Vectra so it bummed out. The Epica is no match for the Mondeo and you are weill aware of that fact Mr. Elsworth. Just like the cheap looking Captiva is never going to steal the thunder away from Territory. Don’t put me in the category for wanting a cheaper Korean made alternative. I have standards!
^^^Captiva is better than the fuel sucking territory!
Don’t you mean the Daewoo S3X? How do you propose that it is better? Those alloytec V6 motors are gutless and slow. the “High Performance” Commodore SV6 gets hosed by an XT Falcon. I agree a diesel Territory would be a good idea, but petrol vs petrol the Territory offers a superior drivetrain.
HA HA HA….suv’s pseudo wally vehicles all suck juice more then a normal car as bigger and AWD or semi 4WD. Captiva smaller then Territory and smaller motor. Its the cuppacino set who want room, space and high that push these gas guzzlers! And it is ‘units’ like you who lamely try to compare Territory to Captiva!
I am not a “unit” and I don’t own an SUV – I own a Falcon. I was simply commenting to Duck saying “Captiva is better than the fuel sucking Territory”
LOL………..like hello your comparing a smaller SUV to something else bigger in SUV range. So it has a bigger motor! What did you expect in Territory – a smaller motor! Gee whiz mate. Like really!
Naughtyius Maximus, the Captiva is an SUV (like Territory) and Holden are pitching it directly at the Territory with their marketing so I would say that it is fair to compare the two. It would however, not be fair to compare the Captiva to the likes of Rav4, CRV which actually are a different market segment. Just out of curiosity, what do you drive?
Naughtyius Maximus, are on the same planet as the rest of us?? Read William’s post again. Because I cannot be bothered trying to explain it to you again.
Captiva in diesel!
I wish Ford all the best for their automatic transmission car (except top model). I’ll add that the sister car Madza 6 has a better range – auto or manual – I’d buy a manual if available because I’m not a lazy mobile phone/iPod addict.
I’ve been burnt on European built Vectras – one 98 JR lunched its gearbox at 145,000 kms and the other at 54,500 now requires 4 litres of oil per service interval.
I think a manual Madza 6 or Subaru Outback sounds like a better choice. I won’t go into the 2 Camiras and 2 Geminis – go Ford!
Hope you’re on a winner who ever buys one.
LOL….the ad might say its better fuel economy then Territory and that is just a marketting ploy. Facts are one is outsizing the other both in terms of motor and size.
Its like Hyundai saying the Getz is 20% more fuel efficient then a Astra? If you “believe” the hype comparing it to Territory you are truly silly as!
NM,
they say the diesel captiva is more fuel efficient.
its like pitching the diesel rodeo against the petrol rodeo. its a bit of a well deerrrr!!!!!
Fully agree, its a shame some have a kaleidescope for looking as my binoculars are prsitine clear.
To the silly ones out there revving me….measure volume inside a Captiva and then Territory you silly fairies!!!! Not the same category size wise; hence the motor – but obviously you believe everything you read or hear as your led by media as basically stupid as!!!!
Question: Facts wrong on comparo of Captiva with a Territory
Answer: Facts including, but not limited to; as follows:
1. Captiva width excluding mirrors 1849mms with wheelbase 2707mms with cargo volume (all seats upright) a measly 465litres. Weight starts from 1770kgs. We step up to the 3.2litre V6 to get barely on same page as Territory with 5sp auto and fuel economy rated at high 11.5litres/100kms with 169Kw @ a high 6600rpm and torque a paltry 297Nm @ 3200rpm.
2. Territory width excluding mirrors 1898mms with wheelbase 2842mms with cargo volume (all seats upright) a healthy 1153litres and with seats optioned in back a healthy 523litres. Weight starts from 1995kgs. Engine 20litre DOHC 190Kw @ 5250rpm (mind you much lower then higher revving Captiva) and 383Nm torque at a lazy 2500rpm (mind you much lower then the worked harder Captiva). With fuel economy 12.2litres.
Obviously the fuel economy is worse as weight heavier and motor much bigger. Obviously you are totally uneducated to the highest degree as the commercial says “Over 20% better fuel economy the Ford Territory…”. So you are really listening to lies when that comment is comparing a paltry 4cylinder with very pathetic 110kw and useless torque to lug around 225kgs less then a Territory! LOL you people epitomise stupidiy on the grandest scale! Begs the question whether you are furthering your education as I strongly recommend it….like from kindergarten onwards!
ARSECLOWNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
typo…Territory engine 4.0litre
William and Rick…..come on your next class finger painting is on. Get out of the sandpit!
LOL you believe commercials and cant judge reality from yourselves; that makes you pair idiots!
If you buy Korean rubbish you’ll end up with a lemon like I did. The motor in my Kia blew up before it reached 100,000kms and I’ve talked with people who’s Kias blew up twice before 100.000. Can’t wait until I see Korean Holdens doing that. It’ll be a laugh.
Put simply, save yourself the pain and don’t buy Korean. I choose quality every time.
Hey, Funkmother instead of feeling sorry for yourself why didn’t u do something about it?
Hi All,
I downsized from a Ford Futura to a Mondeo Zetec in February this year and I can’t rave enough about it! Superb handling, steering is spot on and fuel economy is unbelievable. I will never ever go back to a 6 cylinder car and I really don’t think there is much need for one in this day and age.
Ms Ford/Mondeo Lover
I haven’t heard of Hyundais expiring like Kias seem to. Am I right?