[R-Design]

FPV (Tickford according to CarPoint) are delusional sometimes. Everything's great, just don't ask us what the numbers are...

Oh yeah, no Coyote until October. Earliest!!!!

HSV and FPV retail position now stronger than ever

Australia's muscle car future seems like a sure thing, with Holden Special Vehicles and Ford Performance Vehicles both gaining good traction in showroom sales. Retail sales are stronger than ever, and with last year's federal government small business investment allowance pushing performance commercial vehicle sales through the roof, the good times mean good deals can be found on both sides of the Holden/Ford divide.

HSV reported quarter-one sales 67 per cent stronger than the same time last year, with sales of its new hero model, the E2 Series GTS, outstripping supply. Traditional strong sellers Maloo (up 40 per cent) and ClubSport R8 (up 70 per cent) are also vying for a place at the top of the sales chart.

"These three nameplates really represent the core of our business and the core of our brand," explained HSV's General Manager of Marketing, Tim Jackson. "It is great to see the demand that exists for our product, and the opportunities that continued innovation provide us as we move into the future."

Alongside these familiar nameplates, the new limited edition Maloo GXP and ClubSport GXP models have also sold well, dealerships reporting the models moving as quickly as they can be built. A limited edition '20 Years of ClubSport' will also join the ranks from the end of this month with early interest keen.

The Blue Oval's performance arm FPV is also reporting a steady start to 2010 with a source telling the Carsales network that sales figures have met quarter-one projections and are well on track to continue at their steady pace through the run-out phase of the existing FG model line-up.

Selling particularly well, as is the case at HSV, the crew at FPV report limited edition models, such as the recent nod to a 1970s icon, the Falcon GS, has sold out both here and the other side of the ditch. Dealerships in Australia and New Zealand were quick to place the keys to all 325 available cars (250 sedans and 75 utes) in welcoming hands. Ute sales too are strong, commercial models accounting for 40 per cent of all FPV sales.
As for when we're likely to see the new Coyote-powered range of FPVs land Down Under, the tight-lipped Tickford crew suggested a late showing this year was probable, but said they wouldn't be giving any more away until at least quarter-four.

FPV will shoehorn the US-sourced 5.0-litre V8 into its future models to keep on top of strict new emission regulations the existing 5.4-litre unit can't meet. Despite its smaller displacement, Ford's more technologically advance bent-eight will deliver output figures (307kW/529Nm) similar to the current powerplant's, while at the same time undercutting fuel economy and CO2 figures.

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2010...r-muscle-19660