Falcon bad news.

[XRtowcar]

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...307-1uj2a.html

While remaining guarded with his comments, Ford boss Allan Mulally gave his strongest hint yet that the Falcon - and possibly the Falcon nameplate - is headed for the scrapheap.

Still not confirmed but.....

[BHDOGS]

GOOD now that there out and holden will follow and thousands lose there jobs all the complainers can be happy and we can rename the forum great walls motor club

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

GOOD now that there out and holden will follow and thousands lose there jobs all the complainers can be happy and we can rename the forum great walls motor club

Ah the forum is a FORD forum not Falcon forum.
Ford are doing quite well so no reason to change the name of the forum.

[ILLaViTaR]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

GOOD now that there out and holden will follow and thousands lose there jobs all the complainers can be happy and we can rename the forum great walls motor club

Yeah I agree, keep pumping our money into a doomed industry!!

[Squalo]

It's a gonner for sure :(

[csv8]

Sad to hear..but we all have known it was coming...No advertising for a long time, FG2, Ecoboost and EcoLpi are the swan song..Ford have them on the market but who knows ? apart from us?????
Death by a thousand cuts.....

[Joe5619]

I just wish Ford would make the F'cken mind up & make it public. If it is gone say so FFS!!

There still wasn't really a confirmation in that, just more speculation.

[BroadyFord]

Falcon is gone and has been for a very long time. Any future monthly sales figures, whether good or bad, are completely irrelevant from now on.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ford pulled the plug before 2016, even with government assistance, a la Mitsubishi.

I'm starting to wish they would just put it down early and spare us and their workers prolonged misery.

[Chopped]

He did mention the mustang though .....

[Moby Vic]

This doesn't bode well for my dream of Mustang and Falcon sharing a chassis again.

Maybe Australia will start getting Mustangs as a result of this, though. Too bad we won't have the option of getting Falcons.

[BAFrod]

I think that "The Falcon is also unloved internationally..." is a bit of a misleading and misrepresentative statement, considering it's not actually sold "internationally".

[Franco Cozzo]

I'd vote death to Falcon and Territory if we got Mustang, Explorer and F150 at reasonable prices.

[MickyB]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I'd vote death to Falcon and Territory if we got Mustang, Explorer and F150 at reasonable prices.

I agree with you, I'd be able to handle it a little more easily if it meant we could buy Mustang's and F trucks at reasonable prices. Unfortunately 'One Ford' is just a way for Ford to rationalise killing off region specific models, it doesn't mean we'll get any of the good stuff that Ford NA can't be bothered building in RHD.
In the coming years I expect Ford AU's vehicle range to be far more similar to Ford Europe than Ford NA.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by MickyB

I agree with you, I'd be able to handle it a little more easily if it meant we could buy Mustang's and F trucks at reasonable prices. Unfortunately 'One Ford' is just a way for Ford to rationalise killing off region specific models, it doesn't mean we'll get any of the good stuff that Ford NA can't be bothered building in RHD.
In the coming years I expect Ford AU's vehicle range to be far more similar to Ford Europe than Ford NA.

Originally Posted by FPVGT500

If we get Mustang, Falcon can go and die lol

Originally Posted by Chilliman

I 've loved the Falcon...if Ford are going to kill it then I hate them. But if they bring in the Mustang all will be forgiven.

You’re joking right?

Sure, if I wanted to stick a poster on my wall, the Mustang would win hands down, and yes a big 2-door would be sweet, but in every other department our Falcon/ F6/ GT would win hands down.
There’s nothing currently stopping Ford selling the Mustang here, except the last time they tried it failed miserably.
If they can’t make a case for an XR8 variant of the existing Falcon, and ANY large car platform is still uncertain, how do they mount a business case for the Mustang?

In regards the Falcon, why would he mention it in a speech in Europe when the name is unknown outside Australia?

We’ve known for a long time that the unique E8 platform has no future. If there is to be a Large Ford sold in Australia, it will be built on the D3/D4. Period.
The advantages of this (to us) are that it allows for AWD performance variants, would allow for a “Territory” based on either the Explorer or Flex and potentially with the option of real off-road capability.
Whilst it still remains to be seen whether there is sufficient residual demand for a large car, if there is then Ford would be mad not to continue the Falcon name. Then the remaining questions are how “localised” the suspension could be and whether it warrants local assembly. There were rumours of a V8 variant, so perhaps there remains a role for FPV assembling expensive V8 performance variants.
The alternative is an expanded Mondeo range, and use their clones of the CX7 &9 to fill the SUV gap. That would suck because your performance variant is going to be the turbo 4, or at best a V6 shoe-horned under the bonnet

[JG34JA]

Originally Posted by Big Damo
I'd vote death to Falcon and Territory if we got Mustang, Explorer and F150 at reasonable prices.

Originally Posted by MickyB
I agree with you, I'd be able to handle it a little more easily if it meant we could buy Mustang's and F trucks at reasonable prices. Unfortunately 'One Ford' is just a way for Ford to rationalise killing off region specific models, it doesn't mean we'll get any of the good stuff that Ford NA can't be bothered building in RHD.
In the coming years I expect Ford AU's vehicle range to be far more similar to Ford Europe than Ford NA.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FPVGT500
If we get Mustang, Falcon can go and die lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chilliman
I 've loved the Falcon...if Ford are going to kill it then I hate them. But if they bring in the Mustang all will be forgiven.



I can relate to these feelings. Going to North America I was stunned by the lower prices for really quite a lot of metal, the interesting and different designs, what was in them (loved the Ford Flex AWD wagons myself) and what I deemed to be a real, functioning large scale Capitalist market. I loved that in a bar or restaurant you actually got involving, witty customer service and tipped according to this - on a base $7/hr wage there is real incentive for people to excel. The pricing for totally equivalent items/services in Australia was not even close to competing, and as a consumer I decided to go "on strike" once home, unless I could see competitive pricing or value. Or order overseas. By the looks of retail this year, a lot of other Australians came to the same conclusion at about the same time, and it cuts in terms of people's work and livelihoods.

When I thought about it, there was one exception: if the product or service is Uniquely Australian, available nowhere else, and appealed to me, it was worth the premium. Falcon and Territory fall into this niche, as does a tourism experience at Kata Tjuta, as does a stubby of Coopers pale ale. In the global volume scheme of things, a RWD inline 6 Falcon is far more exclusive than a BMW 3 or 5 series - in sheer numbers alone. It is rare. A Territory is far more exclusive than an Explorer or Grand Cherokee, or Kluger/Highlander, or probably the X5 which inspired it. And with inexorable AUD, market and policy pressures on these products, they are becoming more rare and exclusive by the day. So consider that, they are rare and precious.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by JG34JA

Originally Posted by Big Damo
I'd vote death to Falcon and Territory if we got Mustang, Explorer and F150 at reasonable prices.

Originally Posted by MickyB
I agree with you, I'd be able to handle it a little more easily if it meant we could buy Mustang's and F trucks at reasonable prices. Unfortunately 'One Ford' is just a way for Ford to rationalise killing off region specific models, it doesn't mean we'll get any of the good stuff that Ford NA can't be bothered building in RHD.
In the coming years I expect Ford AU's vehicle range to be far more similar to Ford Europe than Ford NA.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FPVGT500
If we get Mustang, Falcon can go and die lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chilliman
I 've loved the Falcon...if Ford are going to kill it then I hate them. But if they bring in the Mustang all will be forgiven.



I can relate to these feelings. Going to North America I was stunned by the lower prices for really quite a lot of metal, the interesting and different designs, what was in them (loved the Ford Flex AWD wagons myself) and what I deemed to be a real, functioning large scale Capitalist market. I loved that in a bar or restaurant you actually got involving, witty customer service and tipped according to this - on a base $7/hr wage there is real incentive for people to excel. The pricing for totally equivalent items/services in Australia was not even close to competing, and as a consumer I decided to go "on strike" once home, unless I could see competitive pricing or value. Or order overseas. By the looks of retail this year, a lot of other Australians came to the same conclusion at about the same time, and it cuts in terms of people's work and livelihoods.

When I thought about it, there was one exception: if the product or service is Uniquely Australian, available nowhere else, and appealed to me, it was worth the premium. Falcon and Territory fall into this niche, as does a tourism experience at Kata Tjuta, as does a stubby of Coopers pale ale. In the global volume scheme of things, a RWD inline 6 Falcon is far more exclusive than a BMW 3 or 5 series - in sheer numbers alone. It is rare. A Territory is far more exclusive than an Explorer or Grand Cherokee, or Kluger/Highlander, or probably the X5 which inspired it. And with inexorable AUD, market and policy pressures on these products, they are becoming more rare and exclusive by the day. So consider that, they are rare and precious.

Wow, so the biggest car market in the world supports a lot of variety? There’s a shocker.
We could import a greater variety of makes & models here, but the size of the market makes that uneconomical.
And on what did you base your assessment of value? The AUD is at record highs, the US economy is in the crapper, and American cars are cheap for a reason.
Over the years attempts to sell the Mustang, F150, Explorer, and Taurus, here failed miserably because they were junk.
The problem if they try to sell the Taurus and Explorer here without substantial localisation, is that they just won’t be attractive enough to Australian buyers. The Taurus would probably sell ok as a Taxi, but that’s about it.
If my choice is between a European Mondeo with a Turbo 4, and a Taurus straight off the boat from American, I’ll be going with the Mondeo.

[Reaper8]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I'd vote death to Falcon and Territory if we got Mustang, Explorer and F150 at reasonable prices.

LOL mustang being affordable

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I'd vote death to Falcon and Territory if we got Mustang, Explorer and F150 at reasonable prices.

As long as they're built to the standards Australians expect out of their cars, and not the "built down to a price" way that a lot of Yank cars are...

The Mustang wouild sell in droves, PROVIDED they could sell it at close to what Americans buy them for...$20,000 and a bit for the base model V6? Imagine how many of tjem they could sell if they could manage to get it down to $30,000 for an Australian market one...
But please, why do we need to go the "massive under powered ill-handling-cheaply built Yank car" route with things like the Explorer and a truck?

[FPVGT500]

If we get Mustang, Falcon can go and die lol

[Polyal]

I dont think its as bad as its made out to be...they obviously are unsure if they have given that latest installment. There is still certainly hope, they wouldnt bring a good news story out so soon after the ~$100M

While I would love to see more Falcon advertising, the fact is Focus/mondeo cars are selling well. In an ideal world I would like to see the mondeo gone and a more corporate GWRD Falcon take that space, I mean the ecoboost falcon and ecoboost mondeo surely would be aiming at roughly the same people. The mondeo is cheaper, so unless you really need good towing etc then why would you buy a falcon.

Bring the falcon into line with all the gizmo's the mondeo has and then bugger off the mondeo.

[BroadyFord]

Originally Posted by Polyal

I dont think its as bad as its made out to be...they obviously are unsure if they have given that latest installment. There is still certainly hope, they wouldnt bring a good news story out so soon after the ~$100M

I'm willing to bet that both Ford and FoA have already made a decision about what will happen to Falcon - another $100 mil is just keeping the life support on till they're ready to announce it.

Ford, and the other two manufacturers for that matter, don't want to be here. Australia is one of, if not the hardest country to manufacture in and the big 3 would pack up and leave town tomorrow if they could.

Mulally knows that he can supply Australia from Asia with cars built at plants that have economies of scale.

[spatel]

Ford hammered it's own nails into the coffin really.

I note on the new FG MkII they don't even have the FALCON badge on the rear!!!

Secondly as we know, no advertising for the Falcon at all (here in NZ). They advertised Territory when released but since then, nothing.

Holden have regular advertising for all their vehicles and it's given them the presence to make decent sales.

I LOVE the Falcon and to think it will be gone is a damn shame!

[Chilliman]

I 've loved the Falcon...if Ford are going to kill it then I hate them. But if they bring in the Mustang all will be forgiven.

[gtfpv]

having recently bought an FG GT THE fpv manager told me it may definately the last GT , AND FALCON , produced , infact that is going round inside ford dealerships . nothing official though .

[pottery beige]

this aint news.......

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by gtfpv

having recently bought an FG GT THE fpv manager told me it may definately the last GT , AND FALCON , produced , infact that is going round inside ford dealerships . nothing official though .

Dealers like to think they know whats going on, but in reality they are just about the last to know.

[mik]

nothing last`s forever, but i`d be surprised if it did`nt at least see 2016 out, it will be a sad nail in Australian car manufacturing coffin if the falcon dies. i suppose we will have a fwd pos to look forward to if it does happen.

[turbodewd]

Ford will have a huge hole in their Oz sales to fill. I dont think any other Ford offerings will go anywhere near to filling the void left by the Falcon and Terri. Id probably get a camaro instead of a mustang.

Nevertheless, next year Ill buy a falcon, it will probably hold its value well.

[Chilliman]

Oh well, bye bye Falcon and thanks for all the great memories

- Dad's XB 302 flogging that new fangled VB Commodore 253 on the way down to Mandurah

- All the fun I had in my first car; a mildly worked 4-speed XD Falcon.

- The EF XR6 that was a reward to myself for getting through uni and scoring my first professional job. Served me well for 13years - no head gasket dramas

- And lets not forget all the Falcon taxis that got me home after a night on the turps

[Professor Farnsworth]

this is just a re-hash of 500 other threads, no new info here.