CONFIRMED: Falcon 2014 update & production to 2016

[BlueOvalPrint]

After speculation about whether the 2014 FH update will even see the light of day given recent historical low monthly sales of Falcon, the global Ford boss has confirmed it is locked in and will be produced here until Broadmeadows and Geelong close the gates in October 2016:

From http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/f...814-2rv7d.html

Ford says it is giving the Falcon the respect it deserves by giving the car a final spruce before it is put out to pasture in 2016.

Ford’s global president and CEO Alan Mulally told Drive at the brand’s Go Further product showcase this week that he believes the company is doing the right thing by its consumers and its stakeholders by spending millions on the final Falcon.

“I don’t think it’s a negative at all,” says Mulally of the Falcon’s demise.

“We worked really hard to make a viable business here. You know that, it’s a tremendous public-private partnership,” he says of the government-subsidised plants in Victoria. Government money to the tune of $40 million is also being used to develop the Falcon update.


“We’re just not competitive making vehicles in Australia. And so we’re doing the right thing, because any company needs to be able to make a reasonable return to continue to invest in new products.”

Mulally says the reasons are obvious as to why the current Falcon is no longer viable.

“I love the Falcon, I told you I loved the Falcon the first time I met it,” he says. “That market is really, really small. The Australian customers have moved on. The world has moved on. They’re moving to smaller and more efficient vehicles. And that’s exactly what we’re going to provide.”

But when asked why the company wouldn’t just cut its losses on the Falcon and kill it off before the expensive 2014 update, Mulally’s case was clear.

“Because we really want to have an orderly transition. This is a respect for everybody involved, all of the stakeholders.

“That's why we’re refreshing the Falcon, because there’s a lot of people that love the Falcon. And why we’re refreshing the Territory too. And you also heard today that we’re committed to the Territory size and to that market, and so we’ll more to share about that going forward also.

“But absolutely, we’re doing the right thing because of the respect we have for all of the stakeholders, including the employees. But the supply base, the industry, we’re doing absolutely the right thing.”

“We're really pleased with the public-private partnership,” he reiterates. “But everything about the situation, you know.

“This is the most open market in the world, one of the most competitive markets in the world. There are more brands here than anywhere else in the world. There are more models here than anywhere else in the world. This is a really competitive marketplace, and if you’re going to get a chance to participate here, then you need to really, really be competitive,” he says.

“The fact is, we are a major presence in Australia, and we serve all the Australian customers. It’s of course a very serious consideration where we decide to make things. But the world is becoming more and more integrated, and the people that are competitive, they have to be competitive, or you don’t get a chance to stay in business and serve the customers. So we’re doing the right thing for the consumer, longer term,” he says.

[turbodewd]

Its not that the market for the Falcon has gone. It still outsells the Liberty, Maxima and Mazda6...the difference is the Aussie market is relatively small and now massively segmented. There so many kinds of cars available here its not funny.

[jmack]

too may choices,things were much simpler when u could have it in any colour u want as long as its black

[P6LTD351]

You can bet your bottom dollar that the Territory name will continue post 2016.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

You can bet your bottom dollar that the Territory name will continue post 2016.

I wonder if the Everest is quietly renamed after 2016.

[Guzz226]

Originally Posted by turbodewd

Its not that the market for the Falcon has gone. It still outsells the Liberty, Maxima and Mazda6...the difference is the Aussie market is relatively small and now massively segmented. There so many kinds of cars available here its not funny.

Maybe in Australia that is true.

But globally?

The Subaru, Nissan and Mazda factories are working on bigger volumes to a bigger market - Ford and the Falcon has not.

Maybe if Falcon had been exported to more than NZ and a handful to SA it could have been different.

[Guzz226]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I wonder if the Everest is quietly renamed after 2016.

Perhaps given Everest is a concept afterall.

Or they are slotted in side by side? They are different beasts afterall - the Territory is a great road handling pumped up wagon (and before anyone says anything I have had 3 I like them that much) whilst the Everest appears to be more a Prado style off road capable machine - will it have the same (or better) road manners of the Tezza?

After all a lot of SUVs have nowhere near the road manners of the Tezza.

[Kieron]

One would have thought if they kept the Terri alongside the Everest, they would need to continue local manufacture and prop it up with a post 2016 Falcon too.

I'd say the Falcon based Terri is gone and the Explorer will come hear as the pumped up wagon, possibly renamed as the Terri alongside the more hardcore Everest.


Great fe words from Mullaly and if take at face value, he was well aware of our excellent Falcons position in the aussie psyche.

[Road_Warrior]

Highly unlikely the Explorer. It will be the same size as the Everest, have 7 seats like the Everest, and have no diesel engine option, unlike the Everest. Product duplication fail.

The next generation Ford Edge however will be available in RHD and probably have diesel seeing as it is going to Europe as well. Smaller than the Everest and bigger than the Kuga, it will fill the gap left by the Territory's departure quite well (together with the Everest).

[martyal44]

So a smaller and more efficient car is something like an SUV?? I hate even being near one on the freeway and keep clear of them at car parks.

[jpd80]

Guys, we've been through all of this before, the final agonizing 12 months waiting for the next Falcon.
But this time, it and Territory will probably arrive during an avalanche of new global products.
Just imagine what the Ford showroom will look like in another 12-18 months time with all those vehicles.

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Highly unlikely the Explorer. It will be the same size as the Everest, have 7 seats like the Everest, and have no diesel engine option, unlike the Everest. Product duplication fail.

The next generation Ford Edge however will be available in RHD and probably have diesel seeing as it is going to Europe as well. Smaller than the Everest and bigger than the Kuga, it will fill the gap left by the Territory's departure quite well (together with the Everest).

Agree, Edge is going global and by my estimations will definitely be available in RHD as well as possibly third row seating..

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Highly unlikely the Explorer. It will be the same size as the Everest, have 7 seats like the Everest, and have no diesel engine option, unlike the Everest. Product duplication fail.

The next generation Ford Edge however will be available in RHD and probably have diesel seeing as it is going to Europe as well. Smaller than the Everest and bigger than the Kuga, it will fill the gap left by the Territory's departure quite well (together with the Everest).

Just had a look at the Edge and i'd say your spot on mate. Would go up against the likes of the Kluger and leave the Everest for the Prado.

[BHDOGS]

Good now people can shut up with there negative crap

[tankclare]

Hopefully there is a sneaky crazy powered limited edition Falcon in the works to give Holden one last big and nasty shove.... PLEASE FORD AUSTRALIA!

[Gadgetman]

Originally Posted by Guzz226

Perhaps given Everest is a concept afterall.

Or they are slotted in side by side? They are different beasts afterall - the Territory is a great road handling pumped up wagon (and before anyone says anything I have had 3 I like them that much) whilst the Everest appears to be more a Prado style off road capable machine - will it have the same (or better) road manners of the Tezza?

After all a lot of SUVs have nowhere near the road manners of the Tezza.

The everest has been known as a Ranger based SUV in most countries for years now so that global nameplate will continue. Agree it maybe called Territory in Australia though.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Guys, we've been through all of this before, the final agonizing 12 months waiting for the next Falcon.
But this time, it and Territory will probably arrive during an avalanche of new global products.
Just imagine what the Ford showroom will look like in another 12-18 months time with all those vehicles.



Agree, Edge is going global and by my estimations will definitely be available in RHD as well as possibly third row seating..

This and called Territory here !

[Luke Plaizier]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Highly unlikely the Explorer. It will be the same size as the Everest, have 7 seats like the Everest, and have no diesel engine option, unlike the Everest. Product duplication fail.

Thats very short sighted. Obviously you've not heard of the Kluger/Prado or Pathfinder/Patrol....


Lukeyson

[Joe5619]

I thought Ford made it clear yesterday!!! They will have 4, yes 4 (they made that clear yesterday). Ecosport, Kuga, Territory (where ever it may come from) & Everest.

The Everest is not a Territory replace as it is a real 4WD & territory is just a large SUV.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I wonder if the Everest is quietly renamed after 2016.

Nope Everest is Everest, and that car is NOT a concept.

Territory will be the Edge replacement.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

Thats very short sighted. Obviously you've not heard of the Kluger/Prado or Pathfinder/Patrol....


Lukeyson

Umm, yeah of course I have. Does Ford need to copy someone else's lineup or do their own thing based on what the consumer feedback says? Nissan is a very poor example to use considering they now have 2 completely different Patrol models now selling alongside each other.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Guzz226

Maybe in Australia that is true.

But globally?

The Subaru, Nissan and Mazda factories are working on bigger volumes to a bigger market - Ford and the Falcon has not.

Maybe if Falcon had been exported to more than NZ and a handful to SA it could have been different.

It is much easier to be imported into this country than a manufacturer/exporter, and ford US is trying to sell their own models, so they don't want an upstart from down under stealing their sales.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

Nope Everest is Everest, and that car is NOT a concept.

Territory will be the Edge replacement.

It's only concept for now because Ford is not ready to show the whole car to the media just yet,
probably still working through interior and other engineering at the moment, hence external only.

Are you suggesting that the Territory name will live on past 2016 on a new SUV like Edge?

Sounds like a plan.

[Nikked]

Long live the falcon!

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by mik

It is much easier to be imported into this country than a manufacturer/exporter,
and ford US is trying to sell their own models, so they don't want an upstart from down under stealing their sales.

And apart form Mustang which cars would those be?

None of the others will be sourced form the USA.

[janddbone]

I still maintain that a global rear wheel drive platform would see 250,000 sales a year... Hyundai can do it, but Ford can't... Hmm.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by brett.r.johnstone

I still maintain that a global rear wheel drive platform would see 250,000 sales a year... Hyundai can do it, but Ford can't... Hmm.

Big gap between that figure and 2012 figures of 83k Mustangs, 15k Territorys, 12k Falcons* and 6k Falcon utes *

* couldn't find proper data so assumed 1000 and 500 monthly.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by brett.r.johnstone

I still maintain that a global rear wheel drive platform would see 250,000 sales a year... Hyundai can do it, but Ford can't... Hmm.

Genesis and Equus are lucky to sell a combined 3,000 a month in the USA, LINK
I seriously doubt that 250,000 year claim.

If you had used Chrysler's 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, Jeep Cherokee, I might have agreed with you...

[*ICEMAN*]

Gotta save my money so I can buy one

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by brett.r.johnstone

I still maintain that a global rear wheel drive platform would see 250,000 sales a year... Hyundai can do it, but Ford can't... Hmm.

Hyundai aren't recovering from bankruptcy, A Company that is on the rise, with huge profits (well, until this year there was a few bumps). Korea has a weaker dollar, making exports more viable for them and Hyundai shares development across with Kia...


These are all things that Ford don't have right now...

[xa_jg66]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Umm, yeah of course I have. Does Ford need to copy someone else's lineup or do their own thing based on what the consumer feedback says? Nissan is a very poor example to use considering they now have 2 completely different Patrol models now selling alongside each other.

They also sold 2 different Navara's side by side and not one,but two poxy softroaders (xtrail and dualis) at the same time!