Ford Territory 2009 News

No-one is a stronger believer in the blue oval and the Falcon, Focus and Fiesta - especially the Fiesta - are among my personal favourites.But we have to blow the whistle on the quality problems at Broadmeadows after months of letters, emails and telephone calls complaining about everything from brakes to rust, paint to balljoints.Graham Smith has his own take on things in Ask Smithy today, as well as a huge collection of complaining emails from Falcon and Territory owners. So it's not us kicking Ford, but the people who paid for a car in the belief it would do their job without drama.And now I've had a couple of other worrying emails.The first, from a brake repair specialist in Melbourne, raises again the question of the faulty brake hoses in Falcons."Ford should go down to a taxi repair shop and see what their failure rate is," he says."Admitting their own figures of two per cent affected is worse than they think, that means one in 50 BA Fords have gone barreling down the road with brake failure . . . and this is only the cars that have failed so far."Also, I expect that their two per cent rate is a survey of the cars being fixed by Ford dealer workshops, but the majority are being repaired by the aftermarket because the cars are out of warranty and Ford are probably not counting these. We even had one here this week that was still IN warrantee but the owner preferred to pay us to fix it properly. "Then I had a call just yesterday from a mechanic who had a hose fail whilst road testing a customer's car and ended up crashing through a fence."Then, as I looked at the update work on the Ford Territory, I got an email from Scott Pedder. He is one of the top men at Pedders Suspension, which has seen a lot of repair work on front balljoints in the Ford SUV.Ford claims no major mechanical changes in the 2009 update of the Territory but Pedder highlights the complete overhaul of the front balljoints. It's not just a change of component, but a re-work of the way the front end operates."One of the most noticeable and welcomed changes is the repositioning of the load carrying lower ball joint of the rear lower arm," Pedder says."The original ball joint was incorporated into the lower arm and attached to the steering knuckle in a "pull apart" situation which meant all of the vehicle weight was constantly trying to pull the ball joint out of its socket. The new design has moved what appears to be a larger and more robust ball joint to the steering knuckle itself and it then has the stud fitted through a taper hole in the lower arm in a "push together" scenario."The new design is a big step forward in making an already great vehicle even better."But what about the people who already have a Territory and have run into wear problems with the front balljoints? 

This is despite Ford recalling Territory models with similar problems.

Ford director of product development, Russell Christophers, admitted the changes were few and that there were no mechanical modifications.“This is a fairly minor change that just freshens the product,” he said.“We will do something more dramatic when we do the new Territory model.”However, he and other Ford executives at the “launch” of the updated Territory this week in Coffs Harbour would not elaborate on when the next model Territory would be released.“We’re not ready to talk about new Territory yet,” he said.“We have a product cycle plan for Territory but we are not ready for that yet.”He said the minor update was intended to maintain interest in the vehicle until the next model.The Territory SX was launched in 2004, then updated as the SY and now comes the SY Mk II with more airbags, more standard features, minor interior and exterior styling changes and between $500 and $1000 more on the pricetag.The base model Turbo has also been dropped from the range because Ford found most turbo buyers wanted the luxury of the Turbo Ghia which has been retained.Outside, the Territory gets a remodelled bonnet, grille, lower grille, fog lamp bezels, headlights, bumper, body coloured mirror and door handles, tail lamps and new wheel designs.The Ghia also gets indicators incorporated in the mirrors and larger, 18-inch alloy wheels.There are four new exterior colours: Velvet (brown), Harmony (silver), Mystic (green) and in September Ford will add Serenity (gold).Inside, there are new darker trim options in some models.Product marketing manager Christine Wagner said the Territory was launched in 2004 with a lot of options.“We know which ones worked so we have simplified the choice with more standard gear,” she said.Territory TX now comes standard with side curtain airbags, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and a body colour package for the bumpers, door handles and mirrors.Territory TS also gets the body colour package plus a reverse parking camera, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift, and a third row seat as standard.Ghia gains a third-row seat as standard, an Alpine rear DVD system, side steps, rear privacy glass and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Ghia Turbo adds a new 18-inch alloy wheel design.Wagner said the SY Mk II offered better value for money.The TX costs $1000 more and all other models an extra $500. Ford claimed the extra standard equipment was valued at between $3600 and $6600, depending on the model.Christophers said the fuel economy on rear-wheel drive Territory models had been improved by 4.9 per cent or 0.6 litres per 100km.The Ghia and all seven-seater models had a 1.6 per cent or 0.2L/100km economy improvement.He said this was achieved by new global calibrations to the engine, transmission, catalytic converter and other elements of the drive train.He ruled out LPG or diesel engines until the next model Territory.

There is more to towing than just hitching the trailer or caravan and pulling into traffic for a trip.Anyone who has lost control of a loaded trailer or caravan can tell you that getting it wrong can have serious consequences.Even taking a load of junk to the tip or picking up a box-trailer load of garden supplies can get ugly — or worse — if you are not adequately prepared.And learning to back and park with a trailer on the tail takes skill.The potential for disaster is everywhere: from choosing the right tow vehicle and preparing it for the job, to carrying too much weight, incorrectly distributing the weight of the load, or failing to maintain a trailer or caravan.STARTING POINTThe first step into tow land is to decide what you want to tow.More importantly, you need to calculate how much it weighs when fully loaded and ready for the road.This will help you work out if you can keep your existing car or whether you need to buy something new, perhaps a four-wheel-drive if you have horses or a big boat, to handle the tow work.TOWING CAPACITIESAll modern vehicles have a rated towing capacity.For example, a big 4WD such as a Nissan Patrol has a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg, but a small car such as a Toyota Corolla has a towing capacity of only 1300kg.The towing capacity includes the trailer or caravan, as well as all its contents, so people intending to tow a caravan should include everything they plan to take with them, including full water tanks.If you already have the caravan/trailer and can borrow a friend's tow car for a while, then it is easy to work out the weight of what you are towing.Just go down to a public weighbridge and roll the trailer on to the scales.Most new caravans have a rating that tells you how much the van is able to safely weigh, then you can compare this figure with the car's towing capacity.If your vehicle doesn't have a specified towing capacity (this often happens with older cars), you are allowed to tow up to 1 1/2 times the unladen mass of the tow vehicle, as long as the trailer and braking system complies with the relevant Australian Design Rule.If the trailer is not fitted with brakes, the mass of the caravan/trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, or 750kg.BRAKESThere are two common types of trailer brakes.The older type is mechanical, which triggers a hydraulic system that reacts when the tow vehicle decelerates.New trailers and caravans have an electric braking system that is much easier to control.Apart from being adjustable, electric brakes can be operated separately from the tow vehicle's brakes. If a trailer or van starts to sway, the driver can apply its brakes separately and have a much better chance of bringing it under control.WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTION HITCHA tow vehicle running with its nose in the air and rear almost rubbing on the ground is dangerous.Apart from all the wear and tear it causes, it also affects steering and braking.So a weight-distribution hitch is an important part of safe towing.OTHER GEARIt is a legal requirement for drivers to have a clear view of the road at all times, so you should consider fitting larger mirrors or mirror extenders, especially if towing a caravan.SPREADING THE LOADThe way a trailer or caravan is loaded is important.Put too much weight at the front or too much at the back of the caravan/trailer and it will negatively affect the handling, perhaps leading to a crash.MAINTENANCEMost trailers are stored in the back yard and are not used often, so it is important that they be regularly check and maintained.Wiring can easily corrode, causing lights to stop working, tyres can crack from old age, wheel bearings can dry up and braking systems can seize.The same goes for caravans.They may also be fitted with gas cylinders for cooking, which need to be regularly checked.GETTING IT RIGHTTow-Ed driving instructor John Eggenhuizen, who runs a national towing course, says towing accidents happen far too often.He tells of a just-retired couple who bought a $70,000 Toyota LandCruiser and a $65,000 caravan to set off on holiday, only to lose control and write them off in a crash.Eggenhuizen says such accidents are often caused by poor caravan/trailer set-up and a lack of experience.He says proper training prepares drivers for such situations, but also helps drivers with the sometimes difficult task of backing a trailer or caravan.BUYING A TOW CARBigger is usually better when it comes to tow cars.You don't need to have a giant 4WD, but they are often the best machines for the job.Vehicles designed for carrying heavy loads, including 4WDs such as the Nissan Patrol, Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Discovery, are the best if you have a heavy caravan/trailer.Mid-sized 4WDs such as the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Prado are also excellent, and family machines such as the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore are good.Ford Falcon wagons and utes make better tow cars than Holden Commodores and regular Falcons because they have leaf-spring suspensions, and the Ford Territory's extra weight and reduced rear overhang makes it a good tow vehicle.Small 4WDs such as the Subaru Outback or Nissan X-Trail are OK for towing relatively light loads.Turbo diesels are the prime engine choice for many tow cars because they have lots of torque and don't use as much fuel as a petrol engine.Six or eight-cylinder petrol engines are good because towing requires maximum pulling force. The more torque an engine has the better it will be for the job.Four-cylinder petrol engines can pull lighter loads, but often struggle with heavier cargo.TOW DRIVING TIPSAllow extra distance in traffic.Apply throttle and brakes more gently.If the caravan/trailer starts to sway do not apply the tow vehicle's brakes. If the trailer/caravan is fitted with independent electronic brakes, apply them slowly. If not, continue at a steady speed or accelerate slowly.Engage a lower gear for better control downhill.If possible, pull off the road to allow faster traffic to pass and stop more often to rest. 

Thousands of vehicles could potentially be affected by the problem, which can lead to the failure of half the braking system.Owners have reported failures of brake hoses, big scares and near- misses, with a growing number contacting the Herald Sun about their cars.The problem affects BA and some early BF Falcons, and also some Territorys."I believe it is a potentially life threatening problem. The braking is severely diminished," the Carsguide technical chief and former automotive engineer, Graham Smith, said yesterday."It's a problem with the brake hoses. Some are too short but we've also had a lot of reports of front brake hoses blowing. When it happens you lose one half of the braking system."It's true that cars have to be tested with one half of the braking system disabled. That's fine if you have nothing to hit, but most of us are driving around in heavy traffic with plenty to hit."Ford has been investigating the problem for more than a month but said yesterday that it has not completed its work."It will be another three weeks before we complete testing," Ford Australia's present, Marin Burela, said."We are convinced it is not a seriously dangerous problem. If we thought there was any danger we would mount an immediate recall."We have not found any sort of problem in our testing. We want to go through this thoroughly to make sure we get it right."But Smith said the growing number of reports, and the fact that it is a braking problem, should ring alarm bells at Ford."There could be more than one problem. Ford has already done a service update over one issue but not everyone takes their car to the dealership to be serviced," he said."The rear brake hoses were too short. In addition to that, I have had a lot of reports of front hoses blowing. I don't think it is just rear hoses."And I have a substantial number of reports of failures on sedans and utes, so I think it's right across the board. There are a fewer reports on the Territory, but I have had some of those as well."Ford was advised of the reports to the Carsguide more than a month ago but said it is taking time to identify the problem and any potential fix."The engineers are working flat-out on it. All the brake hoses passed our initial testing, so we are taking the time to do it right," said Ford spokesperson, Sinead McAlary."There have been no accidents. People have always managed to brake and stop, so we don't believe it is a massive problem."She said the early service update on the Falcon meant Ford was concentrating on the Territory."We've had more complaints about Territory front brake hoses. That's our top priority. We don't believe there is as much of an issue with the Falcon hoses."She said Ford would mount an appropriate campaign once it had worked through the problem."It's still a little early to say at the moment. If there is any doubt we will do a big problem rather than a small one. We're looking at the cause, then when it went onto the production line."The service update for the rear brake hoses on the Falcon was done in May, 2007 for around 200,000 cars built between September 2002 and March 2007. 

The wraps came off the new-look SY Territory MkII range at the Melbourne Motor Show this morning. It gets a much-needed visual update, revised model lineup new equipment. Two Territory models, a Territory Ghia AWD and a Territory TS RWD, are on display at the motor show to give customers a first look at the SY Territory MkII line-up, which will go on sale next month. The Territory TX now gets side curtain airbags, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and a full body colour package for the bumpers, door handles and mirrors as standard. The TS is also fitted with the full body colour package, along with a reverse parking camera, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift, and a third row seat. Ghia models also gain a third row seat as standard equipment, along with a rear Alpine DVD system, side steps, rear privacy glass, body coloured door handles and 18-inch alloy wheels. The top-of-the-range Ghia Turbo picks up the same list of additions, along with a new wheel design for its standard 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside the cabin gets some new trim materials and colours but the dashboard carries over largely unchanged. The TS and Ghia have the option of a no-cost option of a cashmere interior. The proven 4.0-litre in-line six-cylinder carries over. Prices have risen between $500 and $1000 depending on the model. The entry rear-drive TX now costs $39,490, a $1000 price rise. The RWD TS is $44,490 and Ghia $52,490. The AWD TX is $44,490, TS $49,490, Ghia $57,490 while the AWD Ghia Turbo is now $66,420. The Territory has been an outstanding success for Ford since it was launched in 2004. More than 86,000 have been sold and the car has won a multitude of consumer and industry awards.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...  

The locally built off-roader has been a big success for Ford but has remained untouched since its launch in 2004. Now Ford is previewing a refreshed Territory, which gains a new grille and other minor sheetmetal changes. Inside there are some trim changes while the ergonomically sound dashboard from the BA Falcon carries over to the new car. Both rear and all-wheel-drive Territory models are retained, along with the choice of petrol six-cylinder, or turbo-charged six-cylinder engines. Joining the Territory will be the updated Ranger ute, Focus sedan and hatch, as well as the Mondeo Zetec wagon. Arriving in April, the Ranger is also one of Ford’s most popular models among tradies and rural buyers. The updated Ranger gets some visual clues from the Max concept ute, including restyled headlights, deep grille, mudguard vents and protruding bumper over-riders. A new model, called the Wildtrak, joins the Ranger line-up. Kitted out for leisure buyers who love their weekend getaways, the Wildtrak gets a host of visual and equipment upgrades. The sporty Mondeo Zetec wagon joins the line-up later this year. Like the hatch, buyers can expect electronic stability control and a system called “easyfuel” that incorporates the fuel cap into the filler cover. The front-wheel-drive wagon will be available with the 118kW/208Nm 2.3-litre Duratec four-cylinder petrol engine. The longest Mondeo offers luggage capacity of 535 litres with the rear seats up, increasing to a sizeable 1733 litres with the rear seats folded.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...  

First look: Audi Q5Mazda3 MPS: world debut in MelbourneFirst look: Toyota PriusFirst look: Holden CruzeFirst look: 2009 Ford Focus rangeFirst look: Ford Fiesta ECOnetic turbo-dieselFirst look: 2009 Ford TerritoryFirst look: Ford Mondeo Zetec wagonHSV E-Series Senator SignatureFirst drive: Subaru Stella electric carSubaru Stella joins plug-in pushToyota Prius, Hybrid Camry and 1/xCareers for car fansHolden Monaro from HALSuzuki Alto hatchFR1 to be auctionedFR1 the new heroBentley Continental GTC: amazing graceRenault Koleos an off-roads scholarSales make for testing times ‘09Future motoring explainedSafety advances on showHyundai i30 blue and i10 blueNissan 370Z …good sportsMitsubishi I MiEV …Power playIt’s electricVW Golf gets new stylePeugeot 308CC back in the foldMazda3 …small is beautifulLotus Evora No.1 for sports car enthusiastsLexus LF-A Roadster coming to MelbourneLamborghini Spyder LP560-4 and Murcielago LP640FR1 concept hotrod from a metal masterBMW M1 homageAudi Q5 and RS6 set paceNew 2009 Ford Territory Melbourne Motor Show wrapby Paul GoverSupermodels and colourful supercars blew the grey clouds away from the Australian motor industry yesterday.A sales slump and gloomy profit forecasts were forgotten as more than$15 million worth of shiny new cars, from exotic dream machines to tiny city runabouts, was unveiled at the opening of the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show.There were more than 20 newcomers on the show stands, from the Audi Q5 SUV and BMW's smooth new Z4 coupe-convertible to the family-focussed Subaru Exiga wagon.The lineup at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre is a reflection of the diversity and complexity of the Australian motoring scene, as well as the commitment from companies to push ahead despite the global economic uncertainty."I wouldn't say the mood is exactly optimistic, but there is great resilience. There are a lot of good news stories here," the former head of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, John Conomos, said.The three Australian carmakers all had important newcomers, from the Holden Cruze and Toyota Prius hybrid to the updated Ford Territory, but they resisted the temptation for an over-the-top splash."This show is about much more than cars, it's about Holden's future,"said company chairman, Mark Reuss."We could easily have shown you a wild concept or show car, but this is not the show for that. Today it's about providing real solutions."Holden used the show to also make another value push with its Commodore sedan and Sportwagon, introducing an 'International' value pack.The show is also the last in Melbourne until 2011, as a joint-venture deal has recently been struck which will see an all-new Australian Motor Show alternating with Sydney from 2010."We are expecting a good turnout. There is a lot to see and people are still interested in cars," said show boss, Russ Tyrie of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce.The motor show runs each day until Monday, March 9. 

Production of the two local heroes will continue into the next decade at the earliest, according to the president of the Ford Motor Company, Alan Mulally. But the long-term future of local carmaking under the blue oval is likely to be with the smaller European-designed Focus, which will run side-by-side with the local family fighters on the Broadmeadows production line from 2011. "I think there will always be a Falcon-sized vehicle. There is a market for Falcon, both here and overseas," Mulally said in Melbourne this week. But he would not confirm a local production future for the Falcon that will eventually follow today's FG, or even the chance of it being designed in Australia. And he refused to be drawn on the potential for an imported car wearing a Falcon badge after 2012. "There will be no new announcements today," Mulally said. The worldwide Ford chief hit Melbourne the morning after lobbying Federal ministers in Canberra, including Prime Minister Rudd, for what he described as a `pause' in the planned cut in import tariffs on motor vehicles from 10 to five per cent in 2005. "The key thing about the pause is the near term. It's an important time right now to take this pause. Right now I think it's a critical piece," Mulally said. "Clearly, we are at a real transitional time in the auto industry worldwide. Our commitment is to continue to invest. "Our real plan is to create a viable, complete business in Australia. Australia is a tremendous opportunity for us." Ford has already announced the end of local engine assembly and a switch to an imported V6 from 2010, then the start of Focus production in 2011, as the local operation is integrated into the One Ford global plan. Mulally said he had good news for local workers as he headed for a staff briefing at Broadmeadows, although he could not rule out any additions to the 350 job losses announced last week as the company adjusts Falcon and Territory production to falling sales. "We will size our production to the demand," he said. Mulally said Ford Australia is strong and viable despite its recent troubles, including the resignation last week of company president Bill Osborne. "You guys have got to be bullish on your industry. For where we are, in a terrible business environment, it's doing extremely well," he said. The switch to Australian production of the Focus, which is currently imported, is part of a regional export plan for the car. "In all honesty, Australia's connection is to Asia-Pacific. We need a strong export program. And we need to export into Asia," the executive vice-president for Ford in Asia-Pacific and Africa, John Parker, said at the Mulally briefing. "It is absolutely critical that our Australian operations make the transformation from only building large cars, which have only one way to go which is down, to making cars which are relevant to what the Australian customer wants and what the AP customer wants. "We can have scale. That was the big decision in driving Focus here."  

The new model will be offered in two all-wheel-drive specification levels - Territory Turbo, and the more luxuriously appointed Territory Ghia Turbo. Both will be powered by Ford's 245kW turbo engine. "Territory Turbo and Territory Ghia Turbo build on the many fine attributes inherent in the original Territory and then adds additional performance," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman. Enhancements introduced on the recently released SY Territory range will also feature on the Territory Turbo, including a slick shifting six speed automatic transmission as standard. "Our design engineers had a brief to create a Territory Turbo with enhanced performance but not to compromise functionality and versatility," said Mr. Gorman.