D
Dave
Guest
Blue Oval sends small but significant export shipment to Thailand, its first such initiative since 2005.
Ford has rolled 100 Territorys on to a car transporter this week bound for Thailand, in the company’s first export program – excepting New Zealand - since similar initiatives to Thailand and South Africa in 2005.
The top-of-the-range seven-seater Territory Titanium models will be fitted with the 2.7-litre turbo diesel engine that has been a sales hit in Australia since it was added to the range last year, mainly because it attracts less excise than the 4.0-litre petrol-powered six that has been the model’s mainstay.
Ford displayed the Territory at the Bangkok motor show in March and Ford Australia president Bob Graziano says the company received a strong response.
“It’s clear Thai customers want the roominess of a seven-seater and the features available in the Territory Titanium,” he says.
Advertisement Ford Australia made some minor tweaks to suit the Thai market – the radio has been modified to tune in 50kHz increments instead of the 100 kHz increments used in Australia, and the rear-passenger DVD player has been updated to play Thailand region DVDs.
The high-spec Territory will be pitched at “the premium end of the market”, according to Ford spokesman Neil McDonald, sitting above the compact Ford Everest and Ford Escape SUVs.
It’s also the first time Australian cars have been sent to Thailand since the 2005 free trade agreement between the two countries, which was intended to lay the basis for regular two-way export programs.
But it’s turned out to be anything but a free-trade agreement. Thailand levies a 50 per cent excise on cars with an engine capacity less than 3.0 litres and 60 per cent for those with a larger engine capacity, so Thai-bound exports have stalled while tens of thousands of Thai-built cars and utes have flowed into Australia.
Free trade agreements working so so well.
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/fords-thaibound-territorys-20120817-24cxc.html
http://www.thaifta.com/english/eng_au.html
^ Hence why we are getting screwed. !@#$ing lunacy.
Ford has rolled 100 Territorys on to a car transporter this week bound for Thailand, in the company’s first export program – excepting New Zealand - since similar initiatives to Thailand and South Africa in 2005.
The top-of-the-range seven-seater Territory Titanium models will be fitted with the 2.7-litre turbo diesel engine that has been a sales hit in Australia since it was added to the range last year, mainly because it attracts less excise than the 4.0-litre petrol-powered six that has been the model’s mainstay.
Ford displayed the Territory at the Bangkok motor show in March and Ford Australia president Bob Graziano says the company received a strong response.
“It’s clear Thai customers want the roominess of a seven-seater and the features available in the Territory Titanium,” he says.
Advertisement Ford Australia made some minor tweaks to suit the Thai market – the radio has been modified to tune in 50kHz increments instead of the 100 kHz increments used in Australia, and the rear-passenger DVD player has been updated to play Thailand region DVDs.
The high-spec Territory will be pitched at “the premium end of the market”, according to Ford spokesman Neil McDonald, sitting above the compact Ford Everest and Ford Escape SUVs.
It’s also the first time Australian cars have been sent to Thailand since the 2005 free trade agreement between the two countries, which was intended to lay the basis for regular two-way export programs.
But it’s turned out to be anything but a free-trade agreement. Thailand levies a 50 per cent excise on cars with an engine capacity less than 3.0 litres and 60 per cent for those with a larger engine capacity, so Thai-bound exports have stalled while tens of thousands of Thai-built cars and utes have flowed into Australia.
Free trade agreements working so so well.
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/fords-thaibound-territorys-20120817-24cxc.html
http://www.thaifta.com/english/eng_au.html
^ Hence why we are getting screwed. !@#$ing lunacy.
