Ford to drop Kuga name and replace it with Escape - Page 2

Bossxr8 · 18-10-2016, 03:01 PM

I have heard numerous people say they would not buy a car called a Kuga, due to the connotations in regard to female cougars. It is the right idea to switch to Escape. They should have never switched from Escape in the first place.

ronwest · 18-10-2016, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I have heard numerous people say they would not buy a car called a Kuga,

Yeah, those Ssangyong owners are a choosy bunch

Price it correctly, install all the bluetooth stuff and you could call it a Wanchor and peeps would buy it.

Guzz226 · 18-10-2016, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Im pretty keen on a FWD Escape Trend, was close to ordering a Tiguan but the Ford will be far better value while also being a decent drive.

The optional $1300 Tech Pack on the Trend looks good.. Be good if there was an optional sunroof like Ford has done with the Focus range.

Teck Pack

Enhanced Active City Stop autonomous braking, which now operates at speeds of up to 50km/h (up from 30km/h),
Active Park Assist now including Perpendicular Parking function
Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with Driver Alert
Lane Keeping Assist,
Auto High Beam,
Adaptive Cruise with Forward Alert and Enhanced Collision Mitigation,
Blind-spot monitoring
Tyre pressure monitoring.

Do you have a link to this? Nothing is said in the article about the tech pack. Or is this the tech pack off the Kuga?

commodorenutt · 18-10-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

.....They should have never switched from Escape in the first place.

Exactly. They were building a decent rep (apart from the shared issues that Mazda also had) and they threw all that away.

However, I think it was recent enough that the "old" Escape was on sale, that the name won't take as long to get back into people's minds, so the brand rebuild won't take as long.

Nissan learnt a big lesson with names - and brought back the Pulsar nameplate in a desperate bid to build sales.

Toyota have proven that keeping the name going (eg Corolla) builds repeat business, and a perceived level of quality (deserved or not) over & above other brands.

On the other hand, Mazda took a gamble when the 323 became the 3, but the gamble paid off. Perhaps because 3 wasn't too far of a departure from 323.

vztrt · 18-10-2016, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commodorenutt

On the other hand, Mazda took a gamble when the 323 became the 3, but the gamble paid off. Perhaps because 3 wasn't too far of a departure from 323.

Mazda provided a good car. Got customers (private customers) in and kept them as customers.

**DFB FGXR6** · 18-10-2016, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commodorenutt

Toyota have proven that keeping the name going (eg Corolla) builds repeat business, and a perceived level of quality (deserved or not) over & above other brands.

On the other hand, Mazda took a gamble when the 323 became the 3, but the gamble paid off. Perhaps because 3 wasn't too far of a departure from 323.

THIS.

Toyota may produce boring cars that lack outright innovation and wow factor, but the model range, model names and branding that stays consistent meaning buyers know what to expect.

Brazen · 18-10-2016, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guzz226

Do you have a link to this? Nothing is said in the article about the tech pack. Or is this the tech pack off the Kuga?

No worries, I paraphrased from this link

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2016...ODE4Jk5uZT0xNQ..

csv8 · 18-10-2016, 10:35 PM

Titanium price is still to high. Ford havent learnt from over pricing the Everest Titanium.

vztrt · 18-10-2016, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Titanium price is still to high. Ford havent learnt from over pricing the Everest Titanium.

Cx5 is more expensive. So dont understand how its over priced.

NX74205 · 19-10-2016, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Titanium price is still to high. Ford havent learnt from over pricing the Everest Titanium.

Broken record is broken. You have to pay for quality, you know ...

Guzz226 · 19-10-2016, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

No worries, I paraphrased from this link

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2016...ODE4Jk5uZT0xNQ..

Ta mate

csv8 · 19-10-2016, 08:14 AM

NX74205..Depends on your interpretation of quality. Ford want to premium price , thats ok , if quality is there.I am not saying its not quality. But $7-9k more thab Trend??? Same as Everest Titanium pricing excessive above Everest Trend and that has been said often. I hope Ford advertise it properly not like weird current Mondeo ad!!!!

SumoDog68 · 19-10-2016, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

THIS.

Toyota may produce boring cars that lack outright innovation and wow factor, but the model range, model names and branding that stays consistent meaning buyers know what to expect.

Toyota sells their bread and butter Camry Hybrid which certainly sports most unique and innovative drivetrain in its class. They introduced their first hybrid 20 years ago (Prius) and hybrids are just becoming mainstream today .
Their biggest innovation though is the production methods and philosophy around it.
https://hbr.org/2008/06/the-contradi...oyotas-success

Vesper Martini · 19-10-2016, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

Mazda provided a good car. Got customers (private customers) in and kept them as customers.

Indeed getting a replacement car, the dealership experience plays a big part.
Ford dealerships have not been good at this.

hodge_williams · 19-10-2016, 10:08 AM

The best change to this isnt the name, its that ***** side opening tailgate they got rid of.

Pepscobra · 19-10-2016, 10:22 AM

I know it sounds silly, but as it's currently called a Kuga I've never been interested in it. Now that it's going to be called an Escape, I'm keen on it again.
The Escape has a pretty big following in the US.
The first and second generations were big sellers that gained a good reputation for being capable off-roaders.
Australia lost the plot a little bit as the ZC and ZD escapes were effectively just face lifted models specific to Asia, we never got the Second generation models as the US.
The current model has totally lost its off-road abilities and is now just a urban SUV, but still a pretty nice unit. The name change will serve it well.

Adamz Ghia · 19-10-2016, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodge_williams

The best change to this isnt the name, its that ***** side opening tailgate they got rid of.

You thinking of EcoSport?

ronwest · 19-10-2016, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Indeed getting a replacement car, the dealership experience plays a big part.
Ford dealerships have not been good at this.

Yeah well, we bought a new Holden and a new Ford in May/June this year.

Holden dealership was much more inclusive than the Ford dealership at time of sale. They have also followed up with gifts (around $1400 to this point), a letter from the CEO, a comprehensive survey, and a few phone calls/emails to make sure we're happy.
Generally. a "welcome to the Holden family".

Ford dealership?
Haven't heard a thing from them since the sale.
Had a minor survey from Ford Australia emailed to us.

Marketing, sales and after sales service is something Ford is not good at.

csv8 · 19-10-2016, 11:29 AM

ronwest..I had a similar experience from Motorama Holden, Moorooka..when I bought my Captiva LTZ in May...and knockers, its been faultless..averaging 9l/100kms diesel...very impressed, great value for the $$$$$....nearly done 8,000kms..

Joe5619 · 19-10-2016, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwest

Yeah well, we bought a new Holden and a new Ford in May/June this year.

Holden dealership was much more inclusive than the Ford dealership at time of sale. They have also followed up with gifts (around $1400 to this point), a letter from the CEO, a comprehensive survey, and a few phone calls/emails to make sure we're happy.
Generally. a "welcome to the Holden family".

Ford dealership?
Haven't heard a thing from them since the sale.
Had a minor survey from Ford Australia emailed to us.

Marketing, sales and after sales service is something Ford is not good at.

This here I just don't get.... there must be 2 Ford Australia 's in this country... I bought my Falcon in December 2009 & must have received 6-7 calls directly from Ford.. Even 6 years after this purchase I still get calls directly from Ford asking how my car is going & if there is anything I need!!!

ronwest · 19-10-2016, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe5619

This here I just don't get.... there must be 2 Ford Australia 's in this country... I bought my Falcon in December 2009 & must have received 6-7 calls directly from Ford.. Even 6 years after this purchase I still get calls directly from Ford asking how my car is going & if there is anything I need!!!

Maybe they have a bit on their plate.

Happy to report back when we get the first call...

edit: Actually when I think of it when we bought our G6E we did receive a small first-aid kit as a gift. Also a couple of follow up calls from the sales guy. (Different dealership than our most recent experience).
Certainly nothing, other than email servicing reminders, after that.
It didn't occur to them to follow up after a few years to see if we were back in the market for a new car.

Anyhoo, glad your experience has been wonderful.

Vesper Martini · 19-10-2016, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe5619

This here I just don't get.... there must be 2 Ford Australia 's in this country... I bought my Falcon in December 2009 & must have received 6-7 calls directly from Ford.. Even 6 years after this purchase I still get calls directly from Ford asking how my car is going & if there is anything I need!!!

You've had calls directly from Ford?
normally this would be from the dealer, and they are a mixed bunch.

I actually bought from a dealer out of my way because my local was so bad.
I've had the survey, and I get a follow up calls after I've had a service.
but Its all ruined by the service department who wont acknowledge, any of those annoying niggles.

sorry thread going off topic, so ill leave it at that

stig_3754 · 19-10-2016, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

ronwest..I had a similar experience from Motorama Holden, Moorooka..when I bought my Captiva LTZ in May...and knockers, its been faultless..averaging 9l/100kms diesel...very impressed, great value for the $$$$$....nearly done 8,000kms..

8,000kms without an issue? impressive!

Sabantien · 19-10-2016, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwest

Yeah, those Ssangyong owners are a choosy bunch

Price it correctly, install all the bluetooth stuff and you could call it a Wanchor and peeps would buy it.

The Pajero already exists.

vztrt · 19-10-2016, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Indeed getting a replacement car, the dealership experience plays a big part.
Ford dealerships have not been good at this.

Its after the sale that matters. Its easy for the salesman to blow smoke up a persons bottom. Its when the servicing comes about and if you have a problem that you know if your a repeat customer.

My dealer has been brilliant for the last 6 years. They really got their act together.

last fairlane · 19-10-2016, 07:21 PM

Whats wrong with changing the MONDEO name back to where it started in 1950
lets call it a CONSUL oh hang on how about CORTINA wait a minute Ive got a better idea how about SIERRA or stuff the lot lets just call it a MONDEO
it makes no difference to me Ive had at least one of each
thanks John

**Fordman1** · 19-10-2016, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodge_williams

The best change to this isnt the name, its that ***** side opening tailgate they got rid of.

Side opening tailgate on the Kuga ?

There isn't one

csv8 · 19-10-2016, 10:08 PM

Change Mondeo to Zephyr!!

Joe5619 · 20-10-2016, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

You've had calls directly from Ford?
normally this would be from the dealer, and they are a mixed bunch.

I actually bought from a dealer out of my way because my local was so bad.
I've had the survey, and I get a follow up calls after I've had a service.
but Its all ruined by the service department who wont acknowledge, any of those annoying niggles.

sorry thread going off topic, so ill leave it at that

Yes, Ford head office.. The number on the phone it 03 xxxx xxxx (I'm in Sydney & dealer is in Sydney) & they say we are from Ford Marketing (or something like that).. I get one every year..

The one I got this year, I didn't know the number so let it ring out.. Same number called again a week later, but missed it.. So I called back because I wanted to know who it was & it was Ford.. So not only did they call, they keep trying to call!!

commodorenutt · 20-10-2016, 10:34 AM

I've had the same for 5 years. They ring up just before the car's anniversary.
This year I answered with "Oh, you're ringing to remind me that my rego is due" and the girl on the other end cracked up laughing. Must be a thankless job.