Drive Article: Ford throttles back to protect Falcon

[saber]

Originally Posted by Drive.com.au

Ford throttles back to protect Falcon
RICHARD BLACKBURN
July 3, 2010


Ford's Mondeo engine will be introduced to the local market in the Falcon

Ford's Mondeo engine will be introduced to the local market in the Falcon

A more efficient engine being launched overseas in the Mondeo next month will be delayed for the Australian market, writes RICHARD BLACKBURN.

Ford's Mondeo mid-size car will miss out on two new more-powerful and fuel-efficient engines as Ford Australia looks to protect its locally built Falcon from friendly fire.

The controversial plan, which effectively robs Peter to pay Paul, will see local Mondeos continue with an underpowered four-cylinder petrol engine and a diesel engine tuned for economy rather than power.

The new Mondeo will make its public debut next month at the Moscow motor show and will go on sale in Europe in October with a cutting-edge turbocharged four-cylinder engine that should deliver Falcon-like performance while using less fuel than Australia's best-selling small car, the Mazda3.

But the engine will be delayed - and possibly ignored - for the Australian market because Ford plans to introduce it on an updated Falcon in the third quarter of next year, giving Ford a more efficient alternative to the six-cylinder engines that have dominated the locally made large-car category for decades.

Likewise, a new, more powerful 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine will be shelved for Australia in favour of a more frugal 2.0-litre diesel engine designed to attack Toyota's hybrid Camry.

A spokeswoman for Ford, Sinead McAlary, would not comment on the facelifted Mondeo.

But she says the new diesel engine is not part of the company's short-term plans.

"We've already announced we will introduce a new 2.0-litre diesel engine in the Mondeo in the third quarter of this year," McAlary says.

She says the smaller engine is better suited to Ford's needs in Australia as it allows Ford to compete for fleet business against the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

The Mondeo diesel uses less fuel than the petrol-electric Toyota, although it emits more carbon dioxide.

McAlary says a diesel engine, combined with a wagon derivative, gives Mondeo "a point of difference" from the Falcon, which won't be offered with a diesel powerplant.

"Diesel is not on the radar for Falcon at all. We have an LPI [liquid-injection LPG] version of the Falcon next year and we'll be concentrating on that," she says.

More than 50 per cent of Mondeo sales are diesel, McAlary says, and that figure is expected to climb when the company offers a diesel version of the wagon for the first time later this year.

The plan to separate Falcon and Mondeo highlights the uncertainty surrounding the future of the locally built Falcon, which last week celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Ford's global boss, Alan Mulally, says the company will move to just four basic car platforms in the future. They are the city runabout Fiesta, the Focus small car, mid-size Mondeo and US-designed Taurus large car, all of which are either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive models.

The Falcon is the odd man out in the blueprint for the future, as it is rear-drive and developed solely for the Australian market.

The European Mondeo will get a 176kW four-cylinder turbo petrol engine expected to use just 7.6 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. The engine is 33 per cent more powerful than the Australian-spec Mondeo engine and uses almost 20 per cent less fuel.

A less-powerful 149kW version of the engine could potentially find its way to Australia, although Ford will initially continue to make the existing non-turbo four-cylinder.

The European Mondeo's new 2.2-litre diesel puts out 147kW of power and is likely to offer more than 400Nm of torque, compared with 120kW and 340Nm for the Australian Mondeo. All engines will be available with a dual-clutch auto transmission, which is more efficient than a traditional auto.

Unlike the new engines, the styling and equipment changes to Mondeo should filter through to Australia this year.

They include a new grille and bonnet, front bumpers incorporating daytime-running LED lights and redesigned tail-lights. Inside is a new centre console, upgraded materials and new satellite-navigation and stereo systems.

The car will also have a range of fuel-saving technologies including regenerative charging, an economy mode and an active grille shutter system, which regulates airflow to reduce drag.

Safety will be increased with features including a lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning and a rear-view camera.

Thoughts???

[kenz]

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11301655

[bobthebilda]

The plan to separate Falcon and Mondeo highlights the uncertainty surrounding the future of the locally built Falcon, which last week celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Ford's global boss, Alan Mulally, says the company will move to just four basic car platforms in the future. They are the city runabout Fiesta, the Focus small car, mid-size Mondeo and US-designed Taurus large car, all of which are either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive models.

Not being a diehard FORD follower, its terribly confusing about all the articles one reads about the Falcons future (unless someone has more definitive statements from Mulally or Burella). But going by what Mulally is quoted as saying here, the Falcon as we know it is dead and buried.

I understand Burella cant come out and say as much (at the risk of future sales, investment and government handouts), but surely its there for all who dont have rose colored glasses to see.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

Not being a diehard FORD follower, its terribly confusing about all the articles one reads about the Falcons future (unless someone has more definitive statements from Mulally or Burella). But going by what Mulally is quoted as saying here, the Falcon as we know it is dead and buried.

I understand Burella cant come out and say as much (at the risk of future sales, investment and government handouts), but surely its there for all who dont have rose colored glasses to see.

maybe you should take those Holden ones off!!!!

Ford CEO has comfirmed Australian built Falcon passed 2016 & current 7th gen!! Source is linked below!!!!!

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257750001FBFCD

[Keepleft]

Hopeless, as GF PM'ed me "Huge mistake, like mazda with all their manuals, ppl will go elsewhere".

She got that right. Buy the new look Mondeo here in AUS towards year's end, but get the current motor?! Nah.

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

maybe you should take those Holden ones off!!!!

Ford CEO has comfirmed Australian built Falcon passed 2016 & current 7th gen!! Source is linked below!!!!!

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257750001FBFCD

They've confirmed a 'Falcon' branded vehicle will continue here, nothing more.

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

maybe you should take those Holden ones off!!!!

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257750001FBFCD

Sorry Joe, The glasses are neither colored Holden or Ford. In Fact i see Mulally's comments far more practicle than a comment from Deveraux (Holden chief), who says they are sacrificing profits to maintain sales. (at taxpayers expense). Only makes some sense to sacrifice profit to maintain sales, if you have money.

[Bud Bud]

Ford's global boss, Alan Mulally, says the company will move to just four basic car platforms in the future. They are the city runabout Fiesta, the Focus small car, mid-size Mondeo and US-designed Taurus large car, all of which are either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive models.

The Falcon is the odd man out in the blueprint for the future, as it is rear-drive and developed solely for the Australian market

mmm ok where does the Mustang sit then??? If the Mustang ever ends up as an AWD concept car any time soon then there is your answer.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Boss315

They've confirmed a 'Falcon' branded vehicle will continue here, nothing more.

"FORD Australia president and CEO Marin Burela says he is confident the company’s Falcon range will continue to be made in Australia after the current seventh-generation car is retired in 2016."


"We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in our Australian facilities at Geelong and Broadmeadows, and our view on that is that those facilities are there, we have invested in them, they are state of the art, we’ve got a great workforce building wonderful cars with great quality. “We will continue to do so.”


“I believe there will be a Falcon made here after 2016,” he said. “The substantive issue will be how much of it is made locally, and that is what we are talking through.”

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

“The substantive issue will be how much of it is made locally, and that is what we are talking through.”

Originally Posted by GoAuto

Mr Burela confirmed that Ford would freshen the FG Falcon, but said that no final decision had been made about the eighth-generation Falcon due for 2016.

“2016 is the natural break point of this (model) cycle," he said.

"The work we are doing and the plan we are on says we don’t have to make a decision on all the aspects of the new Falcon until we get to the early part of 2012. So, we are in a good position.”

How Australian is a CKD 'Australian built' FWD Toyota Camry?

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Boss315

How Australian is a CKD 'Australian built' FWD Toyota Camry?

It is the whole glass full, glass empty thing!! But my comments where a direct reply to someone saying, that an Australian built Falcon is 100% dead!! Which my points & your point say otherwise at this point in time.

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by saber

Thoughts???

a) it's a
b) it's an article with too many holes in it. Quoting Mulally like he has, and without reference, is bordering on Jez-Spinks-stupidity.

c) Ford's decisions in not bringing those motors here haven't been announced. So why make it up?

d) The Ecoboost Falcon will hit the roads way before the 3rd quarter, so he can throw that theory out the window.

e) After a very positive week for Falcon (and good news on it's future) he couldn't help but put a spin on it, with "uncertain Falcon future". FFS, I wish people would do some research!

f) If Falcon is the only RWD sedan in the global Ford catalogue then Mustang is driven by a Flinstone hole in the ground.

[Road_Warrior]

More first class journalism from the apostles of spinning ****.

Goddamn it I hate those guys. I really really hate them.

[Spinner5711]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

a) it's a


f) If Falcon is the only RWD sedan in the global Ford catalogue then Mustang is driven by a Flinstone hole in the ground.

Dunno what you're saying here. Mustangs are not sedans. Maybe they do require calloused feet for the occupants, they are coupes. Therefore the Flacon is the only RWD sedan in the global Ford catalogue

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Spinner5711

Dunno what you're saying here. Mustangs are not sedans. Maybe they do require calloused feet for the occupants, they are coupes. Therefore the Flacon is the only RWD sedan in the global Ford catalogue

He's referring to RWD platforms.

[jpd80]

Ford Falcon 2763
Falcon Ute 869
Territory 1,320
Focus 1,077
Fiesta 981
Mondeo 385
Ranger 4x4 1500 (approx)
Ranger 4x2 562

Whoo, 4952 locals......

[Falc'man]

You in the right thread, John?

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

He's referring to RWD platforms.

Yes, thanks.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

Not being a diehard FORD follower, its terribly confusing about all the articles one reads about the Falcons future (unless someone has more definitive statements from Mulally or Burella). But going by what Mulally is quoted as saying here, the Falcon as we know it is dead and buried.

Its dead as we know it, but that doesnt make it dead, or RWD dead for that matter either. Theres a hole in that 4 platform idea as well - Taurus probably wont be a seperate platform from Mondeo/Fusion, its likely to be a stretched version. That could leave room for a RWD platform or it could leave room for something else, such as something more friendly for SUV's and people movers. Who knows. With attention turning to Lincoln, they could start treating them like their own company, and we might see otherwise exclusive Lincoln platforms as well as these 4 Ford platforms that could be utilised locally.