Has AU Falcon scared off Ford from ever doing another BOLD Falcon

[Eaturbo]

Does anyone else think that the very unpopular AU Falcon styling has scared Ford Australia from ever doing a radical styling update of the Falcon. I followed an FG Falcon and a VE2 Commodore today driving side by side and i hate to admit it but the commodore still looks good and its lack of styling changes since 2006 has probably done it more good than harm. I think Holden would have trouble doing an update that didn't look worse than what they have hence why they have left it alone. The FG shape in comparsion is very soft in the styling stakes mainly from the rear view. My question is has unpopular AU Falcon styling still being felt today in the design we see with the FG due to FORD AUS being very aware of what one more unpopular Falcon would do to the future of FORD AUS manufacturering. I know we can all be a bit one eyed on this forum regarding the Falcon but the VE Commodore has proven the test of time and will probably go down as one of the best commodores in there history for numerous reasons. FG while a great car and probably the the Best Falcon to date i dont think it went forward with its design over BF. I would have liked to see Ford AUS have had the guts to do a completely new and BOLD design for FG to truely blow us away. They proved they could do it with the BA in 2002. I have trouble telling a BF2 and FG from the front as they both had the same style front lights. I really believe the AU Falcon still has the guys at Ford too scared to really depart from what they know and put it out there.

[falconnut]

I like the FG and G6E styling, i think they are quite bold designs.

The BA and BF where playing it very safe though.

Personally i still think the AU2 and AU3 look great.

[jpd80]

Just imagine if FoA had the cash to do a Fusion nose and tail on FG II, that would have knocked the socks off the press..

[sbutler]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Just imagine if FoA had the cash to do a Fusion nose and tail on FG II, that would have knocked the socks off the press..

image

How hot does that look!!!!!! I hope the next gen Falcon follows those lines......

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by sbutler

How hot does that look!!!!!! I hope the next gen Falcon follows those lines......

It's a polarising style, there's no middle ground because people will either love it or hate it and
that's what Ford US is counting on, more buyers loving that style than what the competition has.
Is our market and buyers different? Would that work here? or is it just a passing fad?

These are the questions FoA has to pose in order to stay in front of the curve, sure their
designs aren't as up to date but so long as they aren't plain, Falcon and Territory will do OK.

[daddy0]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Just imagine if FoA had the cash to do a Fusion nose and tail on FG II, that would have knocked the socks off the press..

image

Saw Fusion in Honolulu great looking car

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Just imagine if FoA had the cash to do a Fusion nose and tail on FG II, that would have knocked the socks off the press..

image

They will do that for 2014 won't they?

[daddy0]

Our AU3 5.0 Has full Tickford body kit, Sports Susp. Factory IRS, Tickford fitted S/roof,Momo Wheel and & gear knob, 5 17 in. Alloys. Headers, 2.5 stainless exhaust has travelled 130ks goes like the clappers. Averages 12.1 l/k can travel from Batemans Bay to Melbourne on a tank. Did i mention it is a F/mont with full books. And looks great.

[benoxr]

Originally Posted by Eaturbo

Does anyone else think that the very unpopular AU Falcon styling has scared Ford Australia from ever doing a radical styling update of the Falcon.

If they were, we wouldnt have got the BA would we. A whole new design will come in time, as it has throughout history. If they were too scared, they wouldnt be in business.

[stevz]

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by stevz

image
image

Actually, it reminds me of this:

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Actually, it reminds me of this:

image

Hate to think the new version of FORD's look similar to Aston Martin's! Oh the HORROR!!!!!!! They have been WAY too conservative for the past 50 years .... looking the same and all!!!!

[FalconXV]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Actually, it reminds me of this:

image

Good for you. Just because you want a global facsimile, doesn't mean everyone else does. I for one wish for the Falcon to maintain its own styling identity. All this global convergence is a w4nk and grafting a corporate face onto every platform is lazy, unimaginative and sucks the character from the vehicle . Look at the Boulay-era Mitsubishis and how that turned out; and look how globalisation has blunted the Focus.
If we have a local product that looks, feels and drives like another car developed and made elsewhere,then whats the point in spending R&D and making it here?

As for the thread title, I think VE and FG are each successes in their own right. I would like to see Falcon evolve into an edgier design though, that would definately revive the marque and draw young people in.

When I was 8 years old and first saw the AU, it captured my imagination, and proved that a prosaic formula ( straight 6, RWD) needn't be wrapped in predictable clothes. The wheels YDOTY competition that Nick Hogios won (design 2010 Falcon) only further captivated me, and every subsequent Falcon has been conservative ( if succesful and handsome). If the Falcon sees some kind of revival, it won't be because of One Ford.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

Good for you. Just because you want a global facsimile, doesn't mean everyone else does. I for one wish for the Falcon to maintain its own styling identity. All this global convergence is a w4nk and grafting a corporate face onto every platform is lazy, unimaginative and sucks the character from the vehicle . Look at the Boulay-era Mitsubishis and how that turned out; and look how globalisation has blunted the Focus.
If we have a local product that looks, feels and drives like another car developed and made elsewhere,then whats the point in spending R&D and making it here?

................If the Falcon sees some kind of revival, it won't be because of One Ford.

A global facsimile has worked brilliantly for BMW, Merc, etc for yonks. Doesnt harm their standing in the scheme of things. Actually I think it has helped Mitsubishi ...... and KIA ...... and some other up and comers including Mazda (number 1? )

A global look for FORD is paramount ...... get it right (and they are) and it works brilliantly. Edgy? I think they stand on their own ..... each FORD model. Look at the Kuga and the others coming through at the moment
................If the Falcon sees some kind of revival, it will only be because of One Ford. - Thats how it should have read as it is the only way the Falcon has a long term future

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

.

When I was 8 years old and first saw the AU...........

I can tell you that the dealer principles preview drew a lot of disquiet and mild panic which Ford refused to entertain....

If the Falcon sees some kind of revival, it won't be because of One Ford.

One Ford is saving Falcon's bacon but not in the way you think....
One Ford = mostly the unseen stuff, styling is corporate identity....


Not aimed at you but,
That's the problem, too many people think with their eves, not their brains,
I blame short sighted journalists filling people's heads full of goo..

[Cano90]

Originally Posted by stevz

image
image

That is hilarious

[turboxf]

Originally Posted by Eaturbo

Does anyone else think that the very unpopular AU Falcon styling has scared Ford Australia from ever doing a radical styling update of the Falcon. I followed an FG Falcon and a VE2 Commodore today driving side by side and i hate to admit it but the commodore still looks good and its lack of styling changes since 2006 has probably done it more good than harm. I think Holden would have trouble doing an update that didn't look worse than what they have hence why they have left it alone. The FG shape in comparsion is very soft in the styling stakes mainly from the rear view. My question is has unpopular AU Falcon styling still being felt today in the design we see with the FG due to FORD AUS being very aware of what one more unpopular Falcon would do to the future of FORD AUS manufacturering. I know we can all be a bit one eyed on this forum regarding the Falcon but the VE Commodore has proven the test of time and will probably go down as one of the best commodores in there history for numerous reasons. FG while a great car and probably the the Best Falcon to date i dont think it went forward with its design over BF. I would have liked to see Ford AUS have had the guts to do a completely new and BOLD design for FG to truely blow us away. They proved they could do it with the BA in 2002. I have trouble telling a BF2 and FG from the front as they both had the same style front lights. I really believe the AU Falcon still has the guys at Ford too scared to really depart from what they know and put it out there.

Why do we have to have this again. The FG is way different than the BF 2 The front lights are different really have a look next time mate, the bf 2 lights are bigger, the FG lights are slimmer????????
Rear lights are way different??????????
Side on the FG has a longer roofline???????? they squared the round roof, gee get over it, i like the new FG2 when out at to the local ford dealer they had plenty of fg's & a few bf2 WAGONS, I TOOK PICS OF ALL THEM & THE DIFFERENCE IS CHALK & CHEESE?????????

I loved the bold look of the AU it was ahead of its time, funny how so many other cars had similar looks 5 years later??????????

[Resurrection]

I hope so.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

I hope so.

Good i hope they do, then you wont buy one then you may find another forum to annoy.

Can we go a few weeks without an AU bashing thread seriously? Because i can see where this will go.

[Eaturbo]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Good i hope they do, then you wont buy one then you may find another forum to annoy.

Can we go a few weeks without an AU bashing thread seriously? Because i can see where this will go.

Agreed, please dont ruin this thread as it was not intended as an AU bashing. I own an AU and think they have a better seating position than the BA so both cars had some great features. This is purely a styling question on how AU styling effected all Falcons styling after it. If you dont have something good to add than just read it and move on.

[Resurrection]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Good i hope they do, then you wont buy one then you may find another forum to annoy.

Can we go a few weeks without an AU bashing thread seriously? Because i can see where this will go.

I had a 1999 AU Forte from new to 2003. It was a black sedan with 5-speed manual, Tickford sports suspension and with 16" wheels. I was very pleased with the car as it went well and was reliable. However my opinion about it's appearance will remain unchanged - it was fugly.

My blood flows blue. I always drive Australian made cars and my loyalty is to the Australian designed and made Falcon. The FG XR6 I currently drive is my sixth Falcon and I already know what will be my seventh Falcon.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...&postcount=420
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...7&postcount=40

If people ask for opinions then they should be prepared to recieve honest answers and not just look for people to support their opinion. You sound like one of those people who cannot handle criticism.

[jpd80]

AU III was quite nice and the Ghias had a lovely up market interior with wood grain trim....

Perhaps if Ford had lead with that series III grille, AU might have been more successful,

[falconnut]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

I was very pleased with the car as it went well and was reliable. However my opinion about it's appearance will remain unchanged - it was fugly.

Nothing a body kit and aftermarket rims + decent painjob wont fix, i have seen some damn sexy AU's on here and around the web and on road.

But i really dont care how my car looks on the outside, its got it where it counts on the inside.

thinly veiled post about insecurities and inner beauty

[Nikked]

lol @ BF and FG looking alike...nothing in common...

But yes, the AU was as bold, unique and interesting as australian design will get. The BA looked like a camry...

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by Nikked

lol @ BF and FG looking alike...nothing in common...

But yes, the AU was as bold, unique and interesting as australian design will get. The BA looked like a camry...

Truer words were never spoken.

I hope Ford Australia's designers have the opppurtunity to style a Falcon that's as bold as AU, but executed in just the right way to be as accepted as say E or B Series.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

I hope Ford Australia's designers have the opppurtunity to style a Falcon that's as bold as AU

There's a fine line between bold and ridiculous. Sadly, AU crossed it, which is a shame considered how good it was under the skin.

Its styling was the only reason I waited til BA to get out of my EF.

[falconnut]

Originally Posted by b0son

There's a fine line between bold and ridiculous. Sadly, AU crossed it, which is a shame considered how good it was under the skin.

The original AU1 did, yes i completely agree, but i think the AU2/3 look great.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by b0son

There's a fine line between bold and ridiculous. Sadly, AU crossed it, which is a shame considered how good it was under the skin.

Its styling was the only reason I waited til BA to get out of my EF.

Explain why the AU was ridiculous...



The major letdowns with the AU were some cheap looking plastics (bumpers, side moulds) and 4WD ride hight coupled with dilated wheel arches, it they (FoA) spent a bit more time refining the shape, it would have been a winner.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Explain why the AU was ridiculous...

It looked like a pregnant seal, sunbaking.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by b0son

There's a fine line between bold and ridiculous. Sadly, AU crossed it, which is a shame considered how good it was under the skin.

Its styling was the only reason I waited til BA to get out of my EF.

I am going to differ a little and say that the AU Forte series 1 was actually the only odd one out and was the extremely boring, mundane and was the main problem. It wasn't bold. The shape was in the right direction, the XR and definitely Fairmont had it right from the start. Boring killed the AU from the offset ..... not being brave. It then tarnished the entire range .....

The XR was in your face and a brave move that pulled it off very well ..... later the T series which during series 2 started doing well. In comparison to all the models the AU Forte 1 was the ugly duckling, boring in comparison and killed off the momentum from the VERY successful EF Falcon.

Then came the B series XT ..... ..... then the FG ...... While the XR's and other models did well selling to the public sector and as company vehicles when there was a choice to be made, while (very unlike all other Falcon standard models before it) the base unit died.

If anything the AU Forte series 1 killed the 'Falcon 500'. Base models to the general public has not recovered and the base model ...... which SHOULD be their commodity ..... is relegated to those who are unfortunate enough to get them as their company car.