Ford Everest SUV replaces Landrovers in SAF
-
Anyone read in the straits times today?
do you think SUVs are as rugged as a macho landrover ? -
Terrible, terrible move.
-
SAF choose it as it is cheaper again (sigh) and more fuel efficient >> being able to switch from 2wd to 4wd where as the landrover is not able to.Originally posted by LRRP:Anyone read in the straits times today?
do you think SUVs are as rugged as a macho landrover ?
But for reliability issues. Time would tell, but the rovers seem more reliable. -
As they say,how long can electronics last?
-
I thought they have learnt the lesson with those Mercedes jeeps?
BTW any pics of this Ford? -
Found one in wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Everest -
The Ford Everst is chosen based on a few factors.
1) Avaliability and cost of spare parts
Since this is already a commercial civilian vehicle, therefore supply of spare parts is not a problem and cost will as the result be low.
2) Potential lower cost of maintainence and servicing
The SAF is very likely to outsource this to the civilian garages. This way they can save on manpower and cut down on cost as usually the lowest bidder gets the contract.
3) Fuel efficiency and cost savings
It is a much newer vehicle with a new engine as compare to the rover. So fuel efficiency will be good which will in turn cut down on diesel. Fuel prices won't drop to those in the 80s (when the Rover is first introduced) any time soon.
4) Crew comfort
The whole vehicle is air-conditioned.
5) Performance
Assuming we chose the 4x4 model, that will make this a capable off road vehicle. -
The Mitsubishi Pajero win at the Dakar Rally nearly every year.
Ford?
Zero.
-
Gee, are we so far gone?Originally posted by tankee1981:The Ford Everst is chosen based on a few factors.
4) Crew comfort
The whole vehicle is air-conditioned.
I can't imagine that while the convoy is wending down the jungle track, with the infantrymen breathing dust along the road... and that the buggers inside the Ford has the windows up and is enjoying aircon.
I would half expect to hear loud hip hop music blasting from inside when they roll the windows down. -
If used on public roads, this Ford is definitely perfect BUT I don't forsee this vehicle to be 'applicable' (let alone survivable) on the battlefield.
This type of vehicles looks like those that are normally used by Private Military Contractors
-
A FAMILIAR sight in military camps and training grounds here, the Land Rover Defender will be making way for a new generation of sports-utility vehicles, the Ford Everest.
The Ministry of Defence has placed an order for 870 Thai-made Fords as part of a programme to renew its ageing fleet of some 3,000 Land Rovers.
The recently sealed deal with Sime Darby's Regent Motors - the Ford agent here - is said to be worth around $85 million, with an option for 500 more vehicles.
The Straits Times understands that more than 50 Everests - painted in the army's camouflage green - have already been delivered.
The purchase comes after plans to launch a novel scheme - to have civilians co-own and drive military SUVs during peacetime - was shelved. The Everest is Ford's made-in-Asia, made-for-Asia product, based on the Ranger pickup truck. It is assembled in Thailand, Malaysia, India, Vietnam and the Philippines.
In civilian form, it is marketed as a seven-seater SUV. Regent Motor had wanted to add it to its passenger car range two years ago, but decided against it as it felt Singaporeans might want a more refined vehicle.
But the robust SUV is expected to be a hit with the military.
Mr Lee Nian Tjoe, editor of Torque, a motoring magazine published by Singapore Press Holdings, said: 'The Land Rover Defender may be cool, but from a practical point of view, the Ford Everest is better.'
Mr Lee, an avid off-roader, said being an Asian car, the Everest is 'easier and cheaper to maintain'.
The SUV is also more user-friendly for our soldiers. It has a three-litre diesel engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. It can be driven as a four-wheel or two-wheel drive - hence saving fuel when it is not required to negotiate rugged terrain.
Most of the Land Rover Defenders here are 2.5-litre diesel manuals with permanent four-wheel drive.
The purchase represents Mindef's first major move away from Land Rover.
Mindef spokesman Colonel Darius Lim said: 'After an extensive evaluation, the Ford Everest was selected...to replace the ageing Land Rovers, some of which have been in service for more than 20 years.'
Besides meeting 'operational requirements'. he said the Everests were 'more cost-effective than the Land Rovers' -
There are too many soft roaders disguised as an off roader. I am not sure if this is one of them.
The landrover is rugged, sturdy, battle proven runs on almost anything you put in it. Seriously, I am not sure if this is a good move by SAF.Originally posted by Black Aces:If used on public roads, this Ford is definitely perfect BUT I don't forsee this vehicle to be 'applicable' (let alone survivable) on the battlefield.
This type of vehicles looks like those that are normally used by Private Military Contractors -
i think i can abandon my thread alrd.Originally posted by LRRP:Anyone read in the straits times today?
do you think SUVs are as rugged as a macho landrover ?
870 Ford Everest SUVs to replace Mindef's ageing Land Rovers
Straits Times, The (Singapore)
Home, Pg H4
December 3, 2007
Author: Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent
A FAMILIAR sight in military camps and training grounds here, the Land Rover Defender will be making way for a new generation of sports-utility vehicles, the Ford Everest.
The Ministry of Defence has placed an order for 870 Thai-made Fords as part of a programme to renew its ageing fleet of some 3,000 Land Rovers.
The recently sealed deal with Sime Darby's Regent Motors - the Ford agent here - is said to be worth around $85 million, with an option for 500 more vehicles.
The Straits Times understands that more than 50 Everests - painted in the army's camouflage green - have already been delivered.
The purchase comes after plans to launch a novel scheme - to have civilians co-own and drive military SUVs during peacetime - was shelved. The Everest is Ford's made-in-Asia, made-for-Asia product, based on the Ranger pickup truck. It is assembled in Thailand, Malaysia, India, Vietnam and the Philippines.
In civilian form, it is marketed as a seven-seater SUV. Regent Motor had wanted to add it to its passenger car range two years ago, but decided against it as it felt Singaporeans might want a more refined vehicle.
But the robust SUV is expected to be a hit with the military.
Mr Lee Nian Tjoe, editor of Torque, a motoring magazine published by Singapore Press Holdings, said: 'The Land Rover Defender may be cool, but from a practical point of view, the Ford Everest is better.'
Mr Lee, an avid off-roader, said being an Asian car, the Everest is 'easier and cheaper to maintain'.
The SUV is also more user-friendly for our soldiers. It has a three-litre diesel engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. It can be driven as a four-wheel or two-wheel drive - hence saving fuel when it is not required to negotiate rugged terrain.
Most of the Land Rover Defenders here are 2.5-litre diesel manuals with permanent four-wheel drive.
The purchase represents Mindef's first major move away from Land Rover.
Mindef spokesman Colonel Darius Lim said: 'After an extensive evaluation, the Ford Everest was selected...to replace the ageing Land Rovers, some of which have been in service for more than 20 years.'
Besides meeting 'operational requirements'. he said the Everests were 'more cost-effective than the Land Rovers'.
Copyright, 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited -
the Everest should complement the Land Rover. not replaced it. if the SAF is looking for a replacement, they should try the humvee at the very least.
the MAF has some Pajeros, but they never retire the Defenders.
what's gotten onto the SAF? after all the 3G and whatnot, they have the audacitiy to 'equate' a ford ranger with a land rover. -
Hmm. I wonder how long it will take before the Fords start smelling as bad as the Rovers? i will always remember the smell, a mix of oil, rubber, sweat and stagnant water, and occassionally 'wet dog', especially after the dogs had been loaded for guard duty. Ew...
I will miss the rovers tho. Still remember hiding out in the rovers during heavy rain and watching the widscreen fog up while out in the bushes.... -
oh boy humvee..the mother of 4x4
-
meaning.. all land rovers will be phased out??.....and no longer in use?
-
imo the landrover shouldn't be phased out, it's a decent workhouse
-
If I'm not wrong la, They're not going to phrase out the land - rovers, more like relegate them to training purposes and the like. The SAF never ever throws out all the old stuff anyway.
And mai siao siao hor .. I see potential combination of Metal Storm + Ford Everest leh .. -
Why the heck are we buying stuff from Thailand?
For all the roar our "lion city" is supposed to have, we have the heart of a lamb. These Thai bastards should be punished for their recent back stabbing of SG - NOT rewarded with a trade deal.
Why are we replacing Land Rovers with glorified pickup trucks?
Are we trying to look like those Somalian "technicals". -
The Humvee is a very powerful vehicle for its size, i can say so because i have first hand experience in one.Originally posted by ferryman2393:the Everest should complement the Land Rover. not replaced it. if the SAF is looking for a replacement, they should try the humvee at the very least.
the MAF has some Pajeros, but they never retire the Defenders.
what's gotten onto the SAF? after all the 3G and whatnot, they have the audacitiy to 'equate' a ford ranger with a land rover.
However, its high fuel consumption is a definite no-no for SAF. Fuel prices are up and Singapore don't happen to have any oil of its own unlike Malaysia.
We can see from the above newspaper article, one of the reasons as to why Ford Everst is to be a replacement for the Defenders is that its cheaper to operate and maintain. -
Ask those idiots doing procurement.Originally posted by chino65:Why the heck are we buying stuff from Thailand?
For all the roar our "lion city" is supposed to have, we have the heart of a lamb. These Thai bastards should be punished for their recent back stabbing of SG - NOT rewarded with a trade deal.
Why are we replacing Land Rovers with glorified pickup trucks?
Are we trying to look like those Somalian "technicals".
These vehicles will not survive in a war. Period.
However, it's Ford that's earning our sales, not the Thai military. -
Not to mention that its a pretty wide vehicle and might bump other road users.Originally posted by tankee1981:The Humvee is a very powerful vehicle for its size, i can say so because i have first hand experience in one.
However, its high fuel consumption is a definite no-no for SAF. Fuel prices are up and Singapore don't happen to have any oil of its own unlike Malaysia.
We can see from the above newspaper article, one of the reasons as to why Ford Everst is to be a replacement for the Defenders is that its cheaper to operate and maintain.
And no, our infantrymen won't be riding in those SUVs lar... they will have the Terrex! =D -
Tell me whats wrong wif this jeeps? I operated them during my active and NSmen days.Originally posted by chino65:I thought they have learnt the lesson with those Mercedes jeeps? -
Thats because our government have the good sense of separating these two issues. Like our PM said, the Shincorp deal is a business decision.Originally posted by chino65:Why the heck are we buying stuff from Thailand?
For all the roar our "lion city" is supposed to have, we have the heart of a lamb. These Thai bastards should be punished for their recent back stabbing of SG - NOT rewarded with a trade deal.
Why are we replacing Land Rovers with glorified pickup trucks?
Are we trying to look like those Somalian "technicals".
Similarly, our choice of Ford SUVs is also a business decision. One which emphasizes the pros of the vehicle (such as lower costs) instead of considering our relations with it's country of manufacture.