The Age: End of the road nears for Falcon

[GavL]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Australia is more or less the only place on earth where a full size RWD sedan is expected, simply because the locals dont like FWD..... just ask Mitsubishi

Or Toyota with their Aurion

[FalconXR6]

Killing off the Falcon is the new Mitsu Adelaide closure story.
It will go on for over a decade before something actually happens...
It's been a good 5 years or so now that these rumours of Falcon copping the axe have been surfacing every six months or so.

No stress here...

[csv8]

The new TAURUS is very,very different to the one sold here, years ago.Check it out at www.ford.com/taurus

[Wally]

Watched him being interviewed at the motor show early this morning. He made it clear his vision is based on Henry Ford's brand principles and that the company will be biasing production to the small car with "myford" fruit.

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by Philip King, Detroit From: The Australian

FORD'S future as a carmaker in Australia is hanging in the balance with nothing to replace the Falcon when the current model finishes in five years and no guarantees that the plant will get the cash needed to retool.
Speaking on the eve of the Detroit motor show, Ford chief executive Alan Mulally refused to say whether retaining the Australian manufacturing operation, which posted a $274 million loss last year, was part of the company's long-term strategy.

Ford Australia, which ditched plans to build a small car just six months ago, is now examining other options to large cars in an effort to keep its Melbourne factory alive.

Ford Australia chief executive Marin Burela said yesterday: "We're looking at a variety of things at the moment. What we build in Australia will evolve over the next 18 months to two years."

Mr Mulally said developing a new Falcon just for Australia was no longer an option.

"People who make one vehicle for one country -- a different vehicle -- those days are gone because you can't compete with the global companies," Mr Mulally said. He said that regardless of where a car was sold, buyers everywhere were now looking for the same things.

"Around the world now, the things that are driving every purchase decision are quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and the best value," he said.

Mr Mulally, who was brought in to turn Ford around after a long career at Boeing, has divested the company of other brands to focus on his One Ford strategy -- a one-size-fits-all approach that moves the company to global models developed for sale in all markets.

The first fruit of that strategy is the next Focus, which was scheduled to be built in Australia from next year to secure the local outpost's long-term future -- a plan that has since been dumped.

Mr Mulally said there was no chance that decision would be reversed and offered no vision of how Ford Australia would fit into the One Ford plan.

"Australia is a very important market for us and we've worked hard to be competitive," he said. "No matter what, we're going to serve the Australian market."

The current two-year-old Falcon is due to be replaced in 2015 and the nameplate is expected to continue. However, the requirements of the huge US market will be most influential in shaping the eventual model, which is expected to ditch the rear-wheel-drive format in favour of front or all-wheel drive.

Ford is unlikely to make a decision on its global large car for another two years. Ford Australia's Broadmeadows plant would need to be extensively retooled to make the car but Mr Burela refused to say whether Detroit would fund the overhaul.

Ford Australia, the smallest of the local makers, built about 55,000 cars last year with only a handful destined for export.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/busi...-1225818208251

[jphanna]

would it be out of the question for ford australia to suggest to the yanks, that the aussie rear drive platform is already highly developed for our conditions, and just accept any 'world' powerplants, that the yanks have developed to pass future regulations.

its not going to cost ford USA, a dollar, to use the aussie developed, tested and proven chassis, for our falcon.

is that too simple?

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by January 12, 2010 - 6:50AM

The all-Australian Ford Falcon could soon be a thing of the past, the world president of the American car-makers has warned.

The Falcon marks 50 years on Australian roads this year, but speaking at the Detroit motor show, Ford boss Alan Mulally said only one large car platform would be built for all world markets under the company's One Ford program.

"The best thing for Ford is to bring our scale and volume (to the market)," Mr Mulally told Fairfax newspapers.

"(Car-makers) who make one vehicle, a different vehicle for one country, I think those days are gone, because you can't compete with the global companies, and Ford's going to be a powerhouse globally."

The likely successor for an Australian designed and engineered Falcon is a car based on the American Ford Taurus, which unlike the Falcon is a front-wheel drive car.

The Taurus was imported to Australia in the late 1990s with little success.

Mr Mulally would not say if Ford Australia would play a leading role in developing the large car platform, or whether a local version of the global car would be built in Australia.

Ford Australia president Marin Burela told Fairfax he hopes Australian engineering talent would be used for the project.

A decision on whether the world cup would be front- or rear-wheel-drive was at least a year away, he said.

"The all-new Falcon doesn't have to come into play until the end of 2014, early 2015, and we don't have to make a decision until 2011 on what that vehicle will be, in terms of styling, technologies " he said.

Mr Mulally said Ford Australia may help to develop the rear-wheel-drive Mustang platform.

The Ford Falcon was introduced to Australia in 1960.

The car has been the mainstay of Ford's Australian manufacturing operations.

Ford Australia employs about 4700 people at its Victorian plants, 2300 of whom were factory floor workers and 2400 in areas such as engineering, administration, marketing and product design.

Panels and engines for the Falcon and its Territory wagon variant produced at Geelong, with assembly housed at Campbellfield, in Melbourne's north.

Falcon was the fifth-highest selling car in Australia in 2009, with 31,023 sales compared with 44,387 sales for the top-selling Holden Commodore.

Flagging sales because of higher fuel prices have hurt the Falcon and the Australian large car sector in recent years.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/austr...0112-m2ze.html

[sxckevo]

its all over the net but i think its all cool, Marin Burela has not suggested that this will happen in any way IMO in all his statements last year. he has suggested the opposite i reckon. like said before its just the douchbags of the media trying to put a spin on it..............i really don't know why they always have to try and take down the aussie auto industry :

[4117kev]

There are upsides to all this.

We will hopefully get the Mustang & my GT will become a collectors item.

[Ghiadude]

There are almost as many threads about the doom of the domestic falcon as there is threads about a reborn GTHO ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

This thread currently has 20 users and 11 guests viewing. People like to read this rubbish - it sells papers and internet clicks. It is in no way based in fact just pure speculation

[irlewy86]

The Zeta platform has been killed and they're worried about Falcon. Nice to know somebody cares.

[Carby]

Hate to see the Falcon go FWD - but the logistics these days of building a car that has only local sales potential is a threat that together with rising fuel prices (all things being equal FWD is more economical than RWD) may well see the end of one of our ICONs as we know it.

[Luke Plaizier]

So did everyone just miss the whole "Mustang could share RWD with Falcon" comment at the bottom of the article?

Don't dismiss the Falcon based Lincoln rumours just yet either as GRWD gets dusted off, even though they are just that, rumours.

Jez just needed something to counter the Captiva ACA report, and the recent negative press on the SIDI fuel economy.

But it's conspicuous that the media yet again chose to find something negative to say about Ford, rather than pass comment on what Mulally was actually there for - to reveal the new Focus.


Lukeyson

[Joshmcmillan]

hmmm, AWD F6

[mcnews]

Originally Posted by jphanna

would it be out of the question for ford australia to suggest to the yanks, that the aussie rear drive platform is already highly developed for our conditions, and just accept any 'world' powerplants, that the yanks have developed to pass future regulations.

its not going to cost ford USA, a dollar, to use the aussie developed, tested and proven chassis, for our falcon.

is that too simple?

Two words, American Unions.

[imugli]

Personally, I think it adds more credence to the 'Lincoln based on Falc platform' story. US get current falc platform to use as development for next gen GRWD. They get overall control of project, we get input. Mustang, Lincoln, Falcon all share said platform. IMO GRWD is go (in back rooms at least) and we'll see the fruits before too long. I'm just speculating though - I know nothing.

[blk6t]

I am Ford through and through but if Ford US ignores Ford Aus and the Falcon then I am also buying a Commodore. I don't want a stupid Taurus AWD, I want a powerful RWD sedan. If the Falcon goes you watch Commodore sales SOAR especially the SS as they will capture all XR6 Turbo, XR8 and FPV customers. Ford would be stupid to lose all those sales to sell minimal Tauruses each month.

If it happens I will buy a brand new F6, one of the last of course and hold onto that baby for ever and use a SS or HSV as a daily (god that hurts)

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by chevypower

None of the quotes actually backs anything in those stupid headlines. All he said was let's not have different vehicles for different markets. He never said the Falcon was going away. If he did, surely The Age would have directly quoted it. So don't panic, it is just the media putting their spin on things as usual. So either the Falcon will exist in ALL markets, or it won't exist. This vehicle globalization is a good thing. You don't see Merc, BMW, Ferrari making different vehicles for different countries. Everything is available everywhere, with all engines, in both RHD/LHD markets. I thought it was dumb to have a nice Focus and Fiesta in Europe, a Festiva and Laser in Australia, Escort in the US etc. At least now, the cars will be fewer, but they will be better made, and they will be all over the world.

Exactly, Ford are well overdue (better late than never) to operate like the other carmakers (everyone from Hyundai through to Lamborghini make 'world cars'

Everyone loves to talk up the cons of globalization, but about the pros? Better equipped and engineered products that are cheaper to buy.

The Fiesta is a great example of a global car, I'm almost certain the new Focus will be a giant killer.

I remain hopeful that in 2015 we'll get a Falcon based on a GRWD platform, and it will be the best yet. The right guys have made the right noises regarding this.

However, even if the next Falcon is FWD/AWD it will still benefit from all the latest tech OneFord dishes up and will be a better product *overall* (a good product is one that appeals to as many people as possible, not just the hardcore enthusiasts)

[mickyyyy]

If ford go front wheel drive in OZ then they can expect half the sales period.

Why dont ford america design the knew ford falcon based on the aussie market and meet half way with america???

Im sure every american will love a RWD stright 6 4.0L as it has plenty of go and run them on lpg so its super cheap motoring.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

So did everyone just miss the whole "Mustang could share RWD with Falcon" comment at the bottom of the article?

Nope

But I'd love to punch that Jezzadore Spinks ******** in the nurries.

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by blk6t

I am Ford through and through but if Ford US ignores Ford Aus and the Falcon then I am also buying a Commodore. I don't want a stupid Taurus AWD, I want a powerful RWD sedan. If the Falcon goes you watch Commodore sales SOAR especially the SS as they will capture all XR6 Turbo, XR8 and FPV customers. Ford would be stupid to lose all those sales to sell minimal Tauruses each month.

If it happens I will buy a brand new F6, one of the last of course and hold onto that baby for ever and use a SS or HSV as a daily (god that hurts)

Of course Holden sales would increase, they'd be the only player in the market with a RWD sedan!

How do you know the Taurus is 'stupid'? Have you driven one? It may be (most probably is) a great product that with minimal Australian-ization could suit our market quite well.

They may sell less, but it would also cost very little compared to engineering a new Falcon every 5-6 years. In terms of making money, a globalized car makes more sense than the local Falcon (in spite of the fact that enthusiasts love them, and thousands of locals earn a crust designing and building them and its 'just not fair')

I hope we both end up in GRWD platformed Falcons in the future, but if not all the best to you and your future Commodore purchase.

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by deesun

Same cr@p we have been hearing since 1974.

Spot on. If this news had come out after the school holidays we wouldn't have had so many worried posters.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

Spot on. If this news had come out after the school holidays we wouldn't have had so many worried posters.

So true... ive been hearing the "Last Falcon in Aus" line since the XD....
It ranks up there with the "ZOMG!!! the GTHO is returning "... weekly thread....

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Nope

But I'd love to punch that Jezzadore Spinks ******** in the nurries.

Agreed, him, Gover and Dowling.... :togo:

Originally Posted by Boss315

At least this forces Ford AU to make a clear statement over the future for Falcon. Burela can't afford to let this speculation get out of control, as it has the potential to really damage the brand in Australia (as we can see from peoples comments).

You know what sh|ts me the most is that journo's seem to be able to sprout rubbish like this and get the general public muppets in a hissy fit which then snowballs and before you know it you have a GFC! Ok that was a bit extreme but you get my point.

[cosmo20btt]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

However, even if the next Falcon is FWD/AWD it will still benefit from all the latest tech OneFord dishes up and will be a better product *overall* (a good product is one that appeals to as many people as possible, not just the hardcore enthusiasts)

Hard core enthusiasts do not drive FWD cars, or real country people do not drive FWD cars, or people that do alot of towing don't drive FWD cars, these are just a few of the customers that Ford will lose. Australia is one of the harshest places on the Earth & our type of cars appear to be not taken seriously enough at this point. Time will tell though.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Polyal

You know what sh|ts me the most is that journo's seem to be able to sprout rubbish like this and get the general public muppets in a hissy fit

So true, and the people who are crying out because of it, are giving those low-class journalists more power, and they get higher ratings for their publisher... Which is all it is about for them, not reporting the truth. It bugs me when people copy and paste headlines is if what comes out from these guys is doctrine. I think they should be ignored.

"The days of solid news reporting are far and few between." - Charlie Gibson (ABC News Anchor).

[Elks]

mmm

I'm anothe rthat wont be buying a FWD falcon. I like RWD.

However everyone who is a falcon buyer needs to clearly state this. I cant see myself buying a homodore, but i'll buy something else RWD.

Benz / BMW can make a global mid/large car rwd.

I would have thought that a mustang derived RWD large car platform would be the go and used for Ford AU, Lincoln etc. Easy marketing too.. The New Mustang Bred Falcon, it worked in 67. LOL

And yes they would need to share some metal, But the falcon as we know it can't go on as a 50,000 unit pa vehicle unless the price doubles.

[Franco Cozzo]

If they did bring over the Ford F series, do you think they would be reasonably priced? Look on their website and they're under $30,000 USD, I walked into a Suzuki dealer which specialised in F series and they wanted $150,000 for a new Harley Davidson model F150.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by cosmo20btt

Hard core enthusiasts do not drive FWD cars, or real country people do not drive FWD cars, or people that do alot of towing don't drive FWD cars, these are just a few of the customers that Ford will lose. Australia is one of the harshest places on the Earth & our type of cars appear to be not taken seriously enough at this point. Time will tell though.

They are not driving Falcons either. Country people, who also tow, are driving diesel utes.

[mrbaxr6t]

always with the doom-and-gloom threads.....

if they go front wheel drive, make a statement and buy last years' runout model that is RWD and drive that till it falls to bits, or until they wake up and go back to RWD, a RWD that sells poorly is better than a FWD that don't sell at all