Ford Will Offer Space Saver Spare As Standard

[ZAP]

I think this shows how tight Ford are with their money now.

Taken from Go Auto:

Ford Australia will stop including full-size spare wheels as standard fitment on its Falcon sedan and wagon models from this October.

They will be fitted with a steel space-saver wheel. The company has also reduced the price of optional full-size alloy wheel from $400 to $250. A 16-inch steel spare wheel will be a $100 option.

Importantly, Falcon Ute and Territory will continue to have a full-size spare wheel fitted as standard.

The move to fit a space-saver for the regular Falcon range has been made to reduce costs after prices were cut last month in the lead-up to the next-generation model that is expected to go on sale next April.

It comes after Expensive Daewoo was heavily criticised for removal a full-size spare for the VE Late model camira when it launched last August.

Expensive Daewoo insiders spoke of their call centres being inundated with calls complaining about the move at the time and then Ford indicated it had no plan to switch to a space-saver.

Today, Mr Gorman said the general media reaction to Holden’s switch to a space-saver was not matched by consumer sentiment in the long term.

“When Expensive Daewoo came out with theirs, we said we would look at it, but we weren’t complimentary to be blunt,” Mr Gorman said.

“But what we have done is to look and see if the customer cares.”

Mr Gorman said this researched revealed most customers were indifferent to whether their vehicle was fitted with a full-size spare wheel.

“We have looked at where the customer is and the customer doesn’t value it. As part of the value equation we have created with Falcon, you look at everything that we have done it terms of price realignment plus content additions. This is consistent with the overall strategy to give the customer what they really value.”

Mr Gorman said replacing the full-size spare wheel with a space-saver would reduce the weight of Falcons by almost 5kg, which benefits the customer.

“It does overall make the vehicle lighter, which is a good story for real-world fuel economy,” he said.

The next-generation Falcon will also be fitted with a space-saver spare.

While Ford Australia was prepared to give up the advantage of having a full-size spare wheel, it will not follow Holden’s Late model camira lead and move away from a practical split/folding rear seatback.

Mr Gorman said Ford viewed that having split-fold rear seats was a competitive advantage and was not prepared to walk away from that.

“Some of these things you are not just going to match what the other guy does if you don’t think it is a competitive advantage, but we do think it (a folding rear seat) is.”

[seventytwo]

Having just had to pull out and use the 16" steelie I'd say that I would not be with out one, still kicking my self for not optioning the alloy rim, those black steel rims are as ugly as sin.

But really most of the motoring public would not give a rats bum what spare they had. Seen a girl drive on hers for weeks on end and others doing 110 on the freeway.

Side question, why is a full size spare limited to 80Ks, different rolling diameter perhaps?

[SCRIBR]

I always look forward to Goauto @ work hehe

sucks if they do it.. it's cause by all those idiots who buy small cars

[mbjunior99]

That sucks. Will the XR/FPV models still get the full alloy?

[tab]

Was only a matter of time....can't understand the fuss though as if it was important to you then you'd just tick the option box.

[ZAP]

Apparently the BMW X5 does not even have a spare anymore.

They just give you a can of tyre goo and a compressor. Bummer if you hit a pothole and stuff the rim and tyre.

Personally I would not be without a spare as I have only needed them 5 times in 20 years, but 4 of thoes times a space saver would not have worked well.

1 x was at the track day, and the spare gave me many more laps of fun

1 x was towing a boat trailer, so a spacesaver would not have coped with the load

1x was the middle of nowhere between cobar and nowhere

1 x was hitting a sharp rock 4x4ing

I would have been severly inconvienced if I only had a SS spare.

I am glad Ford are atleast giving it as an option.

Expect the FPV's to have a alloy spare, just like they do now.

[Blonk]

The FPV's will always have full size spares plus numerous other goodies and more precise fabrication and assembly, that's a given..!!!

[tab]

As long as you've got yourself convinced that's all that matters I guess

[senna_T]

Side question, why is a full size spare limited to 80Ks, different rolling diameter perhaps?

I think they are limited to 80kph because they don't fully balance the wheel/tyre, and the tyre is not as high grade as your standard wheels.

This announcement frustrates me cos this used to be a selling point against commodore, now its another objection on top of all the others IMO

[aniken]

The Golf has a space saver spare, which I had occassion to use last week. Didn't need it for more than 2 or 3 days, so I certainly didn't miss having a full alloy spare. Good move by Ford if it keeps cost down and reduces weight.