26/11/2012 - Australia’s only truly local SUV, the Ford Territory has reached a production milestone of 150,000 units.
“This is a significant milestone for us at Ford Australia,” said Bob Graziano, Ford Australia president and CEO. “To have designed, engineered and manufactured a vehicle that has proven to be a hit with customers since launch.”
“Territory was the brainchild of Ford in Australia and we are incredibly proud of this car and what it has achieved,” Graziano said.
“The latest Territory, which is now available with a diesel engine, continues to be an incredibly strong seller for us, providing a versatile solution to our customers’ driving needs,” Graziano said.
Territory offers car-like styling and driving dynamics with the versatility of a traditional SUV or people mover and has been an outstanding success for Ford in Australia.
When launched, the Territory was ahead of its time, identifying that families were drawn to the command driving position and interior versatility of an SUV compared to a large sedan.
“The idea for Territory began – as all great cars do – by recognizing customer need,” the then Vehicle Director Russell Christophers said at the launch in 2004.
Extensive market research established a growing need for a vehicle combining the best characteristics of family sedans, traditional SUVs and people movers.
Launched in 2004, the SX Territory was an overnight success with 13,583 finding new homes that year and the new kid on the block also took home the most highly coveted motoring accolade in the country, Wheels Magazine Car Of The Year, 2004.
2005 was Territory’s first full year of production – and best sales year – with 28,447 units produced at Ford’s Broadmeadows assembly plant.
Ford launched a number of firsts with Territory, including the first Australian made vehicle to offer Inflatable Curtain Airbags, Dynamic Stability Control and in 2005, the SY Territory added the availability of a reversing camera to the list.
As the Territory continued to achieve sales success for Ford, the SZ was launched in 2011, with a more fuel efficient petrol engine, and for the first time, a 2.7-litre Turbo Diesel with a six-speed automatic transmission providing outstanding fuel economy.
Ford’s acclaimed 2.7-litre V6 TDCi diesel engine, was added to the range as part of Ford Australia’s $232 million investment in sustainability, with assistance from the Federal Government’s Green Car Innovation Fund and the Victoria State Government which included development of the 2.0-litre EcoBoost Falcon as well as the introduction of Liquid-Phase injection technology for the Falcon.
The SZ Territory saw the introduction of a new high-series ‘Titanium’ model which is a top seller in the model line-up today.
The SZ boasts high refinement levels and 5-star crash safety mated to a stylish and contemporary look that aligns with the signature styles of other Ford products.
The award-winning Territory continues to be one of Australia’s best-selling SUVs.
Ford Territory Facts:
- Championed by Geoff Polites, then President Ford Australia 1999-2004
- $500 million project approved by Ford USA for an Australian lead
- Won Wheels Magazine Car Of The Year in its launch year of 2004
- The first Australian made and developed SUV
- The first Australian made vehicle to offer Inflatable Curtain Airbags
- The introduction of the SZ model and a TDCi engine in 2011 saw Territory return to the top of the monthly sales charts as Australia’s best-selling SUV
- The 150,000th Territory is a RWD TX TDCi in Winter White.
Ford Territory - 150,000 Milestone
Be The First