VE to lead large recovery

FORD Australia president Tom Gorman remains confident of a new-model-led large-car sales recovery, arguing that the release of the new Holden VE Commodore in September will spur-on buyers and that Toyota’s Avalon-replacing Aurion will maintain momentum further through to the end of the year.

"(VE) will drive interest in large cars again," he told GoAuto, forecasting that the large-car segment would rebound to around the same level as 2005’s 16.3 per cent share – which he said would be sustainable: "At that level we see it as a good business for us."Mr Gorman said Ford would take advantage of the pre-VE months of June to August to grow Falcon sales before the inevitable Holden onslaught draws all eyes to the new Commodore. "It’s a time for us to gain momentum."