Ford throws Falcon a RWD lifeline

[Dr Smith]

From The Age:
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...001-15zpi.html

Toby Hagon
October 1, 2010 - 8:19AM

Blue oval's global boss hints that next-generation Falcon could share its rear-wheel-drive underpinnings with America's Mustang sports car.

The future of the locally made Falcon has been thrown a lifeline with Ford's global president singing the praises of the car's rear- wheel-drive underpinnings.

Speaking at the opening of the Paris motor show, Ford's Alan Mulally confirmed rear-wheel-drive was an important part of the company's One Ford policy of producing global vehicles.

"When you look at all of the vehicles people want ... there are a set of vehicles that rear-wheel-drive makes a lot of sense (for)," he said, alluding to the likes of the US's Mustang muscle car and the Australian Falcon that's predominantly sold here. "We're going to continue to make what customers really want and value - starting with you [Australians]."

The future of the Falcon has been debated in the media for years as Ford pushes towards global cars. Mulally sparked speculation at last January's Detroit motor show that the next Falcon would be a rebadged version of America's front- and all-wheel-drive Taurus when he said the company planned to have only one large car as part of its One Ford program.

However, there appears hope that Ford could develop various large rear-drive cars - such as Mustang and Falcon - off a common platform.

Presumably that could result in the Falcon - or at least the underpinnings of the global large car - being shared by other markets such as the US.

While rival Holden has forged export markets and built its Commodore on a platform shared with some US models, Ford's Falcon has largely been an orphan with few significant export prospects.

Mulally, who until now has been reticent to confirm whether rear-wheel-drive vehicles had a future in an era of intense environmental focus, said the rear-drive breed had a future.

"I think we're going to have great rear-wheel-drive platforms and the vehicles we have them on are global platforms.

"We love our rear-wheel-drive platforms and we love Mustang, and they're global platforms."

Ford is yet to officially announce whether the future large car will continue with the rear-wheel-drive platform that's long defined and shaped Commodores and Falcons.

Ford's Australian president Marin Burela has previously suggested the company would have to decide next year which way it was jumping with Falcon - and whether there would be another Falcon - ahead of an expected new model in 2014 or 2015.

The One Ford policy suggests the Falcon and US-based Tuarus would merge into the same or similar vehicles.
Mulally's comments will no doubt be welcome relief to Ford Australia, which has battled uncertainty over the future of its best -selling vehicle.

Senior Ford executives have suggested in recent times that the Falcon had a dim future in the push to enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced weight.

Ford Australia's role within One Ford will become clearer next month when the new Ranger is unveiled at the Sydney motor show. Designed and engineered by Ford Australia, the Ranger, codenamed T6, will be sold in 130 markets with the potential to topple the dominant F150 pick-up as the brand's top-selling

[mik]

good stuff, that should quiet the nay sayers for a while.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by mik

good stuff, that should quiet the nay sayers for a while.

You would hope so however to use a twist on the footy theme, we'll take it one press article at a time....

[GK]

Originally Posted by mik

good stuff, that should quiet the nay sayers for a while.

Paul Gover will probably still have the undertone in his atricles to suggest that the Falcon is doomed, or in serious doubt. Should check today's Car's Guide in the Herald Sun!

GK

[Mr Brooksy]

Great to hear! But I wanna hear Alan use the words "RWD Falcon will continue" in the same sentence! I'm sure he can allude all day long but that doesn't suggest to me that's a forgone conclusion yet. Bloody promising... But not done and dusted.

[Brazen]

Anyway you look at it its good news. But he is standing there, in front of journalists, talking about RWD and Falcon, why dosnt he just say Falcon will remain RWD?? Are they fishing for more government funds or something.

I just cant see any negatives of coming out and just confirming it, if anything it will shore up the customer base and shore up dealer investments in their showrooms etc over the next few years as they know their biggest seller will remain.

[Dr Smith]

I'm guessing that one of our local journalists (obviously) asked the question at the Paris Motor Show and this time Alan Mulally was better briefed, based on the nuclear explosion caused last time. Having watched some of his TV interviews, when he's covered the background no-one sends across the message any better.

[sgt_doofey]

Senior Ford executives have suggested in recent times that the Falcon had a dim future in the push to enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced weight.

I find this a strange statement, especially considering the introduction of EcoBoost and LiLPG next year for the Falcon, and Turbo Diesel in the Territory as well???

[Road_Warrior]

Well it is a Drive article written by a Drive reporter, so some degree of doom and gloom in a story about the Falcon is to be expected. It must have really hurt them to talk about the Falcon in a positive light though...

As for Mullaly's statement, what do you gusy expect him to say? Do you expect him to give the game away now years before the product is ready and give our competitors the inside line? Get real!

Also here's a Carpoint article about the same thing:

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2010...ar-drive-21901

[Polyal]

I love that guy, in a manly way, and not flappy hand manly either.

[irlewy86]

In one week we have an article proclaiming that Holden will go FWD and Falcon will stay RWD.

Whats going on?

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by irlewy86

In one week we have an article proclaiming that Holden will go FWD and Falcon will stay RWD.

Whats going on?

Yep, GMH Commodore will go FWD before Ford Falcon goes FWD. I said it in the other thread. But GM are still stupid. Ford have people like Alan Mullaly now running the company.

[BLUEYBA]

I was just thinking if the Falcon went FWD or AWD and I so hope that its going to stay RWD, they would have to give it a whole new name. The name Falcon can only be associated RWD. It is such an iconic name and FWD or AWD will not do justice to the Falcon name or legend. Imagine associating Falcon GT legend to a FWD or AWD Falcon. Just can't do it

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Yep, GMH Commodore will go FWD before Ford Falcon goes FWD. I said it in the other thread. But GM are still stupid. Ford have people like Alan Mullaly now running the company.

Maybe Ford should do the double psyche out on Holden like they did with Focus...

Announce Falcon will be going FWD in 2014, let Holden dive in front and switch first,
then announce that the next Falcon will stay with RWD....

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Maybe Ford should do the double psyche out on Holden like they did with Focus...

Announce Falcon will be going FWD in 2014, let Holden dive in front and switch first,
then announce that the next Falcon will stay with RWD....

I love the way you think, lol.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by mik

good stuff, that should quiet the nay sayers for a while.

dont they say Falcon will be the platform of some RWD US Ford every year?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

I love the way you think, lol.

Mulally and Kuzak have both driven FG a couple of times, right about
when they were ordering changes to the developing 2011 Taurus.

Falcon is not going anywhere...

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Anyway you look at it its good news. But he is standing there, in front of journalists, talking about RWD and Falcon, why dosnt he just say Falcon will remain RWD?? Are they fishing for more government funds or something.

I just cant see any negatives of coming out and just confirming it, if anything it will shore up the customer base and shore up dealer investments in their showrooms etc over the next few years as they know their biggest seller will remain.

Perhaps its merely a matter of timing in relation to other products. So far, theyve got 2 global products near enough sorted - Fiesta and Focus. Next would have to be the merged Mondeo/Fusion effort and theres also Ranger that we already know alot about. The timing of these products probably doesnt matter to us but it might to Fords shareholders and backers and anyone else that need to keep seeing Ford take a responsible approach back to profitability.

[Road_Warrior]

In terms of global products, the small cars have been the thrust of their focus (no pun intended) with the whole One Ford thing because there are/were so damn many small car platforms around the world that had no relationship with each other. Particularly in the Americas and Asia. Of course every other segment has to fall into line as well, but there is much less wriggle room for the small regional platforms because the duplication going on there is just stupid.

Larger, niche platforms and bread winner type stuff (like F series) need special attention and careful consideration of what is at stake which is why these things are taking longer.

[JimNiki]

Going FWD on the dunnydore will send GM broke for a second time!
Even bogans need RWD, else they become ricers!

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by JimNiki

Going FWD on the dunnydore will send GM broke for a second time!
Even bogans need RWD, else they become ricers!

nope they would buy falcons i would think

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by b0son

dont they say Falcon will be the platform of some RWD US Ford every year?

No they say it'll be the last model Falcon....yet it seems to outlast any Holden model they throw at it.

[vztrt]

Just to start something on the rumour mill. Does everyone remember Lincoln being written on the rear quarter on the FG Falcon mules.

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...001-16051.html

Ford luxury brand could head Down Under
Steve Colquhoun
October 1, 2010 - 3:55PM

Blue oval boss says it has plans to export its US brand Lincoln into global market

Ford’s global boss Alan Mulally has opened the door for the company's premium brand, Lincoln, to come to Australia for 2015

Speaking overnight at the Paris motor show, Mr Mulally said Australia was one of a number of countries that would be in line to take models such as the Lincoln Navigator large SUV and the MKS luxury sedan.

"I think that's a question that we're going to get a chance to answer as we're going forward," Mr Mulally said.

The plan, however, is contingent on successfully rebuilding the brand's fortunes in the United States. Ford shifted its focus away from the brand during its ownership of other luxury marques such as Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo, which it has now sold.

"We're focusing on enhancing the Lincoln luxury experience in the United States first, because Lincoln's got a great reputation in the United States," he said.

"The only reason we stopped investing in it is because we had all those other luxury brands. So now our laser-focus on the Ford brand is really coming together, now we can really invest in taking Lincoln back up to the position that it used to have.

"The most important point is to let every product be a 'prove point' about the brand. Every one you see now going forward is absolutely going to meet that criteria, be the best in class in the luxury brand as we further development the Lincoln product line."

He said the plans for the brand involved global platforms, implying both left- and right-hand-drive variants are likely to be built off each platform.

"There's no reason now with our cost structure, and the quality of the vehicles, and the fact that we've designed them to be global, not to make sure that all the requirements from around the world are incorporated into Lincoln too.

"So I think once we get it going in the United States and people appreciate it, I think there's going to be a lot of customer pull from around the world."

Mr Mulally outlined plans for seven vehicles to be launched in the US in the next five years. This would form the company's rebuilding phase, after which the company would formulate its global plan and assess the brand's suitability for countries including Australia, he said.

[Road_Warrior]

Highly unlikely you'll see Lincolns on sale in Australia.

Highly likely you'll see Lincolns on sale in SE Asia and China that are on an Australian designed, if not Australian made Ford platform...

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Highly unlikely you'll see Lincolns on sale in Australia.

Highly likely you'll see Lincolns on sale in SE Asia and China that are on an Australian designed, if not Australian made Ford platform...

IF we do, they will be like ultra high series vehicles, maybe like
Focus, Mondeo and Falcon / Taurus but with different sheet metal.

Think Lexus....

[Nikked]

I've always been saying the falcon will share a platform with the mustang :-)

[Luke Plaizier]

Hey, if the thing is made here, why not sell it here....?

No need for imports then are there.

What will they call the Lincoln version of the Territory?


Lukeyson

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Highly unlikely you'll see Lincolns on sale in Australia.

Highly likely you'll see Lincolns on sale in SE Asia and China that are on an Australian designed, if not Australian made Ford platform...

I like your sentiments!

Originally Posted by jpd80

IF we do, they will be like ultra high series vehicles, maybe like
Focus, Mondeo and Falcon / Taurus but with different sheet metal.

Think Lexus....

Hmm, i wonder what 'that' announcement at the Sydney Motorshow in a fortnights time will be?!

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Maybe Ford should do the double psyche out on Holden like they did with Focus...

Announce Falcon will be going FWD in 2014, let Holden dive in front and switch first,
then announce that the next Falcon will stay with RWD....

Devious. Utterly devious!

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

Hey, if the thing is made here, why not sell it here....?

No need for imports then are there.

What will they call the Lincoln version of the Territory?


Lukeyson

Lincoln version of Explorer was called Aviator.....

Originally Posted by phillyc

Devious. Utterly devious!

Yes, but would Holden take the bait........