one ford spells the end of "one ford"

[burnz]

Speaking at the Detroit International Motor Show, Ford CEO Alan Mullaly has confirmed the worst fears of Australian motoring enthusiasts and spelled the end to a 48 year unbroken line.

Ford's One Ford policy will mean the end of a unique, RWD locally-developed passenger sedan. In future the Falcon (if that is the name retained) is likely to be a right-hand drive version of the Taurus - which was unsuccessfully imported into Australia in the 1980s. It is not clear what, if any, engineering input Ford Australia will have, or if the vehicle will be assembled here.

Not only does this mean the demise of the Falcon 5-seater sedan and wagon: Ford makes the Territory SUV off the same underpinnings and on the same lines, plus a range of light commercial vehicles in coupe-utility and cab-tray formats.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...mulally-87886/

[TVR-190]

page not found mate

[burnz]

fixed, they changed the name/link

[GetToDaChopa]

No more falcon? Just as i was starting to like the new Falcons that have been coming out

[minux]

Hmm, cant read anywhere that the falcon is dead, just that it wont use the same platform? Having one worldwide platform is smart business.

[GetToDaChopa]

They seem to be very vague on what the plans are. But if it means a new model Ford for Australia then that could be interesting.

[minux]

Falcon could go, Ford boss warns - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Sound slike a chase for cash for me...no doubt govco will hand over hundreds of millions

[Airwave]

its funny watching them argue like they know our market. like a FWD mid size car would work as a replacement.

[Reaper]

The problem with Ford Australia is they have very limited or no sales potential outside Australia because Ford USA mothership didn't approve the budget for LHD engeering. Using an imported platform is no biggee in itself - Holden did it from the late 70's thru to the VZ quite successfully. The main issue is a lack of RWD large car platform in the Ford family. There is a chance that a new Crown Vic platform rwd will be/is being developed however that is quite a way down the track at best. I can't see a FWD Falcon doing any better than the Taurus fail of the 90's.

Reaper

[HamaTime™]

If they do eventually implement a worldwide platform for a medium/large family car or the like, if they get their stuff together they could make a pretty competitive worldwide car. Hopefully they ditch standard combustion and go for a hybrid car.

[Reaper]

If they do eventually implement a worldwide platform for a medium/large family car or the like, if they get their stuff together they could make a pretty competitive worldwide car. Hopefully they ditch standard combustion and go for a hybrid car.

I can't see the hybrid being anything more than a niche for a long time. Other technologies such as direct injection and dod are very competitive in the overall manufacturing/operating footprint of these cars and will be for quite a while.

Reaper

[rb26dett]

Australia may end up with more mustangs instead?

[soop]

God I hope not. There's already 600million here anyway. Every man and his dog has a 67 or what ever they are.

If Ford go FWD, they'll die out.
Because Toyota Camrys have that market, and they're better.

[Reaper]

Australia may end up with more mustangs instead?

Highly unlikely. The current platform isn't RHD capable. Don't know if the new platform has been engineered as LHD/RHD.

Reaper

[HamaTime™]

Australia may end up with more mustangs instead?

Don't count on it, very old school design and technology used in even the new Mustang's, even the GT-500, fly leaf suspension etc etc etc, don't think they'd have a very good market over here anyway. The Mustang is the American equivalent of Australia's ideal P plater hoon car, aka the commodore.

God I hope not. There's already 600million here anyway. Every man and his dog has a 67 or what ever they are.

If Ford go FWD, they'll die out.
Because Toyota Camrys have that market, and they're better.

Your right about the FWD and Camry, Toyota have definately captured that market. What about the Aurion? Is that RWD?

However, the old school mustang's like the 67 and 69 aren't that common over here. They are a collectors item and are few and far between, at least in Australia. I personally would love a 67 or 69 shelby. One of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen.

Highly unlikely. The current platform isn't RHD capable. Don't know if the new platform has been engineered as LHD/RHD.

Reaper

Mustang hasn't been engineered to be easily converted to RHD. Explains why a RHD mustang over here will set you back at least $100k for a car that isn't worth more than $30,000.

[Blown V6 Hatch]

However, the old school mustang's like the 67 and 69 aren't that common over here. They are a collectors item and are few and far between, at least in Australia. I personally would love a 67 or 69 shelby. One of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen.

LOL, I can't at all see the attraction to Mustangs...There were Mustangs built over here, we just call them XR-XT Falcons. That's all they are, over rated Falcons. Drive one, you'll soon see what i mean!

On topic: If Ford Australia move to a front wheel drive platform, it will kill there sales and probably Ford Australia.

[Reaper]

Mustang hasn't been engineered to be easily converted to RHD. Explains why a RHD mustang over here will set you back at least $100k for a car that isn't worth more than $30,000.

Maybe - but a Camaro costs that and more. All for a car that was designed with RHD in mind - actually it was designed in Pt Melbourne!

Reaper

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Maybe - but a Camaro costs that and more. All for a car that was designed with RHD in mind - actually it was designed in Pt Melbourne!

Reaper

Still a far superior car to a Mustang though...