Coming off one of the busiest years in Ford New Zealand’s history for new vehicle launches, Ford dealerships now feature one of the freshest line ups in the country. And New Zealanders like what is on offer. Quarter one sales for Ford New Zealand in 2016 are 29.3 per cent above the same period in 2015.

Ford New Zealand Managing Director Simon Rutherford says the company’s quarterly result is a proud achievement for the entire Ford network.

“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes, in conjunction with our retail partners, to ensure Kiwis, our customers, know Ford is the one to watch and the one to drive,” said Rutherford. “Our quarter one results are something to be proud and celebrate but more importantly and perhaps what makes us even prouder is what we are delivering for our customers.”

“The range of Fords in New Zealand delivers capability, performance and overall value for money, from the award-winning Ford Ranger to the vehicle that embodies everything people love about cars - the Ford Mustang.” Rutherford added. “Whether you’re an A to B type driver or a track-driving enthusiast, Ford’s range has something to get you excited.”

Rutherford also says there is more going on at Ford than just new vehicles.

“Across the Ford network, our retail partners are feeling confident and optimistic,” said Rutherford. “They are seeing a lot of people in their showrooms and talking to a lot of new and returning customers,”

Mustang Milestone

Mustang orders in New Zealand as of March have now topped 1000.

And if you think you’ve seen a fair amount of new Mustangs around, it’s no coincidence.

Of those orders, Ford has delivered more than 350 Mustangs to customers around the country.

In addition, Ford New Zealand has in the last few weeks had Mustangs featured in a number of special events throughout NZ.

In March, Mustangs featured in the 26th Annual Variety Bash that meandered through both the North and South Island. Ford New Zealand led a road trip of nineteen Mustangs driven by NZ Ford dealers through the North Island. And most recently Mustang drew crowds at this year’s Beach Hop 2016 – New Zealand’s largest classic car and nostalgia festival.

“The Mustang is an amazing draw card for people wherever it goes,” said Natalie Tustian, Marketing Manager Passenger Vehicles, Ford New Zealand. “It has been generating a buzz, like only the Ford Mustang can do, throughout the country and across the Ford network.”

The delivery estimate for the latest orders placed is now December 2016.

New Focus leads resurgence in Ford passenger vehicles

Launched in New Zealand in late 2015, the The Ford Focus is spearheading Ford’s resurgence in passenger vehicles, moving up to a top four finish in March for its segment.

Ford redesigned the Focus both inside and out and with the new vehicle, Ford introduced both a new transmission and the powerful and efficient new 1.5-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. The new 1.5-liter engine offers 132 kW of power and 240 Nm of torque – more than a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine.

The new 1.5-liter engine offers 132 kW of power and 240 Nm of torque – more than a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine.

The engine uses the core EcoBoost technologies of turbocharging, high-pressure direct fuel-injection and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing to ensure optimum performance. A new aluminium engine block helps to reduce weight, which improves performance and efficiency.

Ford Everest climbs to the top

Ford’s newest SUV, the Everest, took out the number one spot in March. The Everest was 50 per cent ahead of its main competitor, the Toyota Prado, for the month.

“The Ford Everest was brought into New Zealand to offer customers a fully-capable yet refined 4WD SUV, and one specifically engineered and designed with our two models on offer to impress and win over Prado drivers,” said Rutherford. “The popularity of SUVs continues to grow in New Zealand and in this part of the segment, we’re seeing fantastic success with Everest. Our customers appreciate the versatility, practicality and overall value the Everest offers.”

Ford Ranger – New Zealand’s Favourite Vehicle

The Ford Ranger continues its dominance in the market and was once again the overall top-selling new vehicle in the country in March with 689 Rangers sold.

“We launched a refreshed Ranger late last year that was much more than just a facelift,” said Jeremy Nash, Ford’s Marketing Manager for SUV and light commercial. “It only takes a two minute drive to realise just how much Ford has taken an already great ute and made it even better. We know customers have a lot of choice for utes in New Zealand, but they come back to Ranger. It’s the best value overall and hands down a superior ute in every respect.”

The Ford Ranger was significantly refreshed in late 2015 with a number of new features, smart technologies and enhancements throughout. Of all the new features though, the standout for customers has been the refined driving experience further enhanced by the new electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system.

With EPAS, steering is light and manageable for low-speed maneuvering, such as parking, and precise at higher speeds – with assistance varying as necessary based on speed, steering wheel angle, cornering forces and acceleration or deceleration. By eliminating the power steering pump used in a traditional power-steering system, EPAS also results in a quieter vehicle and improves fuel efficiency by about three per cent.

Working on concert with EPAS, Ford engineers also fine-tuned its suspension for additional comfort and even better handling.

Still to come in 2016

Falcon Sprint

Arriving from May is the Limited-edition, high performance Falcon XR6 and XR8 Sprint models. Already the Falcon XR8 Sprint has been sold out in New Zealand and at the time of writing less than a dozen XR6 Sprints remain available.

Ford Australia drew on its performance heritage to launch the limited-edition, high-performance Falcon Sprint series. A total of just 1400 limited edition Falcon Sprints are being built with 550 being XR6 Sprints and 850 XR8 Sprints. New Zealand was allocated 150 cars – 50 XR6 Sprints and 100 XR8 Sprints. Each will receive numbered build plates for each model – located on the engine.

The first customer Falcon Sprints arrive in May and will continue to arrive through September.

Focus RS

Arriving into New Zealand mid-2016, the New Focus RS has already made waves around the world with an unprecedented amount of positive reviews by world motoring media. It was recently named BBC Top Gear Magazine’s Car of the Year for 2016.

The New Focus RS is the next in a line of iconic cars developed by Ford and will feature the new Ford performance All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring. Powering the new RS is a specially tuned EcoBoost 2.3L engine with next level turbocharger, cooling and exhaust outputs 257kW of power.

With the 50-plus Focus RS destined for New Zealand already spoken for, Ford New Zealand is currently investigating additional stock for 2016 and/or 2017.

SYNC3

Ford New Zealand vehicles will begin to see the latest integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system, Ford’s SYNC3, from the latter half of 2016. Voice-activated SYNC technology also helps drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. SYNC 3 features Ford’s next generation voice-activated technology with smart, easy-to-use design. Ford New Zealand will confirm exact arrival timings of SYNC3 closer to arrival.