Sign Of A Changed Market: Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50 Twins Head The Motor Report's Top Ten Best Buys of 2011
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SYDNEY – Jan 5, 2012: Independent Australian automotive news and car reviews website, The Motor Report, has announced the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50 twins as the BEST BUYS for 2011, heading a list of Top Ten Best Buys.
“In a surprisingly good year for sales for the Australian market, against a background of global financial uncertainty, and with more new and improved models than we’ve seen for many years, the best new car release of 2011 is not a conventional passenger car, but a dual-cab ute,” The Motor Report’s Managing Editor and Industry Analyst Tim O’Brien said.
“We are very pleased to announce the Ford Ranger Double Cab 4X4 and the Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab 4X4 as ‘the best of the best’ for 2011.”
“Importantly, Ford Australia engineering and design played a significant and leading role in the development of this very, very fine car.”
“With Mazda-developed chassis and underpinnings, a Ford Australia-designed body with a spacious family-friendly cabin, big tub and 3.35 tonne towing capacity (for 3.2 litre DT), plus class-leading dynamic safety features and a quite brilliant Ford drivetrain, the Ranger/BT-50 twins have the capability, style and ‘liveability’ to redefine the family car.
“Our choice of the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50 for Best Buy for 2011 is indicative not only of the excellence of the products, but of how much the Australian vehicle market has changed,” he said.
“As confirmed by VFACTS figures released today, the three best-selling cars of the year are at opposite poles in the market, and from three completely different vehicle categories: the HiLux utility with 36,124 sales for 2011 in third place, behind the second-placed large car Commodore with 40,617 sales in 2011, and the small car Mazda3 in the number one position with 41,429 sales.
“Where once the Australian market was defined by its large family cars, it is now as diverse as the country itself.”
“There is no ‘typical Australian car’, the notion is now a fiction, nor is there a ‘typical Australian buyer,” Mr O’Brien said.
Congratulations to Ford Australia and Mazda from The Motor Report – a top ten automotive news and reviews website (Nielsen ratings). See www.themotorreport.com.au for more details.
The Motor Report’s Top Ten Best Buys For 2011: