2008 Paris Motor Show: Falcon put on hold

[Go baby Go]

Does anyone know anything about this?

2008 Paris Motor Show: Falcon put on hold
| October 3, 2008
FROM THE FLOOR - Ford insider has dropped a bombshell at today's Paris show media day, telling Robbo that even the Falcon is being re-evaluated.


Ford's new global rear wheel drive program, including the all-new Falcon due in 2013, is now "on hold" to raise further doubts about the long term future of the locally manufactured and designed Falcon.

The next Falcon was to be part of a massive new program to replace the old Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria with an all-new architecture to be jointly developed in Dearborn and Broadmeadows.

In July/August the then accelerating American financial crisis forced a complete re-evaluation of Ford's resources and lead to the current decision to prioritize development of a range of big front drive models based on existing platforms.

An ex-Ford designer (who commented on condition of anonymity) who worked on the program confirmed to Wheels that Ford has put the entire program "on hold".

"It was a global program, in which Australia played an important role. The decision for the Falcon was what form it would take and how much of the 'top hat" (body design) would be unique to the Falcon. They were looking at how to fit Falcon in with the American cars and to see if it could be exported to America.

"Dearborn favoured a (BMW) 5-series sized car (that is significantly shorter than the Falcon). If you plot the 5-Series over the decades, you'll see it remains much the same size, although it has recently been under pressure from the C Class/the much bigger looking new A4 and the 3-Series, which have all grown. The Falcon is outside that, because it is bigger on the inside and has a shorter wheelbase."

"The market turned down (for the Falcon) in Australia and now the US, and now they are looking at what could be achieved in front drive."

"Don't get me wrong, the (rear drive) cars are good enough that I think they could go back to it," he said.

When asked to comment, new Ford Australia boss Marin Burela told Wheels, "No decision has been made one way or the other. Like all things in our business we are looking at everything.

“Three years ago, who would have thought that we would be making small cars in America or the Focus in Broadmeadows (in 2010). The answer is, we need to look at everything going on - but it is not appropriate to say there is no longer a fit for a large rear drive car in Australia. We are evaluating everything."

"The world is changing, the focus at the moment is on fuel and emissions, we want to become more relevant for our customers when they are making choices."

I know it says "an Ex Ford person" so is it more than likley someone who really doesn't know anything or could it have merit? I'm just wondering if it is true?

[mr smith]

Lets just say a "mate of a mate" told me about this a while ago. It's not all lies, except maybe Marin Burela's comments, a decision has been made. Look at it like a painting, the outline for Fords future has been drawn it's now just a matter of coloring between the lines.
Ford are looking at cars that sell, not at history, or the "enthusiast" who drives a 10 year old falcon. The bottom line is profit /share prices and they will do whatever is required.

[HSE2]

Originally Posted by mr smith

Lets just say a "mate of a mate" told me about this a while ago. It's not all lies, except maybe Marin Burela's comments, a decision has been made. Look at it like a painting, the outline for Fords future has been drawn it's now just a matter of coloring between the lines.
Ford are looking at cars that sell, not at history, or the "enthusiast" who drives a 10 year old falcon. The bottom line is profit /share prices and they will do whatever is required.

What large FWD car has sold in this country while there has been a RWD competitor?
Ford aren't going to be able to covert this market. They aren't good enough to get people into Modeos or Focus FWD products let alone anything any bigger.
This is very simple. No large rear wheel drive platform in this country, don’t both competing in the segment.
Stick to the Focus and smaller products and be done with it.
Want proof. Start a poll and see who would by a FWD Falcon!

[Falcon Coupe]

Originally Posted by HSE2

Start a poll and see who would by a FWD Falcon!

Poll added, this may be interesting.

[mr smith]

Stick to the Focus and smaller products and be done with it.

Could be onto something.

[HSE2]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Poll added, this may be interesting.

I reckon you could have gone further with the poll on the no side.

[mr smith]

Lets add that the original post mentions Falcon on hold. If there is RWD it will be Falcon, as FWD badged as something else.

[TC200six]

I voted no, I do not want them to abolish RWD Falcon!

FWD Ford Falcon - Australia Says NO!

[MAGPIE]

No way would I buy a RWD Falcon

There are three reasons why I buy Falcons

Size
Power
Rear Wheel Drive

If they turn the Falcon into bum dragger's I'll buy the last of the model and keep it till I die.

[The Mighty Red]

I voted NO without hesitation, Australians as a whole dont want front wheel drive cars.....they were practically giving the magna away and still couldnt sell it

[seduced_xr]

we better start stocking up on FG/BF falcons and storing them :P. once they make FWD thatll be it.

[irlewy86]

Would I buy a FWD Falcon if it was light years above the competition. YES
Would I buy a FWD Falcon if it was similar to Aurion/380/Mazda 6. NO
Would I buy a FWD Falcon Ute. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would I continue buying RWD. YES

If their is no longer a business case for RWD then I can't argue with the decision to axe it. But the car that replaces it better be a marked improvement. If it only delivers the marginal space/ecconomy improvements like the current Aurion does whats the bleeding point?

[HSE2]

Originally Posted by The Mighty Red

I voted NO without hesitation, Australians as a whole dont want front wheel drive cars.....they were practically giving the magna away and still couldnt sell it

Australians do buy front wheel drive cars. The market for the large wheel drive segment is shrinking and will continue to shrink.

With products like the Mondeo the question for Ford must be how would a FWD Falcon offer anything more?

I Ford bothered to import the full spec Mondeo it would surpass the G6E easily in terms of features and appointments. The front wheel drive Falcon is already here. There really isn't that much in terms of size.

[Melz]

I wouldn't buy a FWD Falcon... but then again I don't think I would buy a new Falcon either :(

[Jason[98.EL]]

voted no

i hate to think what the falcon would be like if it went fwd

i know i only have an el but i do hope it stays rear wheel drive in the hope i can purchase a new falcon one day

Grimus

[Powdered Toast Man]

I guess I'll start off the affirmative posts. I would buy a FWD Falcon but not a performance model. But only as long as it is still a good handling car. i.e. Magna/380 like not like the Camry.

But I'm actually in agreement with Mel at the moment, I don't think I would buy a new Falcon at this point in my life RWD or FWD, or Commy or any large car. My BA is too big for my needs but the 3V keeps enticing me to drive it :evil3:

[Redrum]

I would never purchase a front wheel drive car for myself of any manufacturer!

[GTP534]

I voted yes, but I need to qualify it. If we're talking a Ford Taurus type of FWD Falcon then forget it. But if we're talking Mondeo based that's a different story. I've seen the Mondeo here in Brunei and it is a decent looking car, a good size and well equipped. I'm sure if Broadmeadows has input a FWD Falcon would have best in class handling. The other thing is, if they go FWD wouldn't that leave the way open for high performance AWD variants?

But, as someone who was brought up in the 60's and 70's it would be a sad day for me if the RWD Falcon bit the dust.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Redrum

I would never purchase a front wheel drive car for myself of any manufacturer!

Ditto

[4Vman]

Now name and shame the ones who voted yes...
Should make it a public poll.....

[dishpig]

Thing I never got with all this is if they did go to FWD what would happen with the ute. FWD utes are usless and would be extremelly dangerous.

[Elks]

Originally Posted by irlewy86

the marginal space/ecconomy improvements like the current Aurion does whats the bleeding point?

We have Aurions at work and I can see NO place where it is better than a Falcon.

It has more KW at 7000rpm.
It is narrower in the cabin.
It has terrible blindspots.
Soft floating suspension.
Turning circle of a small truck.
Steering column seems to be made of rubber.
It may have a slightly larger boot but the shape of a Falcon is more useful.

At this point the voting is 61 to 9in favor of RWD. 9 voted FWD!! I know Ford have developed some groovy double knucke front end that stops torque steer. But this is a consevative segment of the market (remember FPV still sell more V8's than T6's depite the turbo being faster) and should be treated with great care.

I will not be buying a front wheel drive anything as long as their is a RWD alternative.

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by dishpig

Thing I never got with all this is if they did go to FWD what would happen with the ute. FWD utes are usless and would be extremelly dangerous.

Its called Ranger.

[dishpig]

I'd rather a falcon ute then a ranger

[Buzz Box]

Case and point look at the sales figures.......

Commodore & Falcon always in top 10.

Wheres the Magna/380 and Camry/Aurion?

[XAGSV8]

I voted yes. It would be sad to see RWD go but I won't be looking at a performance model. It would only be a work/family car for me so it would not matter. I already have my toys.

[fmc351]

49 million* cars sold worldwide in 06 and again in 07. Somehow I think Ford shareholders will care more about how to get 1% more of that (490,000 additional units), than keep a RWD in Australia because enthusiasts think its awesome.
http://www.metrics2.com/blog/2006/12...es_no3_re.html


I voted no, but Ford dont give a rats what I or you think.


$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


*some of the numbers include light trucks, but you get the picture.

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by dishpig

I'd rather a falcon ute then a ranger

If talking new, may not have an option.

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by fmc351

49 million* cars sold worldwide in 06 and again in 07. Somehow I think Ford shareholders will care more about how to get 1% more of that (490,000 additional units), than keep a RWD in Australia because enthusiasts think its awesome.
http://www.metrics2.com/blog/2006/12...es_no3_re.html


I voted no, but Ford dont give a rats what I or you think.


$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


*some of the numbers include light trucks, but you get the picture.

Someone is listening.

[Zed7fiddy]

Sweeeeeet, i knew for were goin nuts a few years back when they handed us the AU, but, i thought things were goin well wehn they released the BA/F series, i fear they dropped th eball slightly on the FG, and their sticker package specials are continuing to prooove this...

Now, Frotn wheel drive, even the Tog Gear crew said this was apalling, the crowd agrees, lets hope ford was watching tonights episode