Ford RWD ‘Rethink’

[SSbaby]

Terry Martin
15 July 2008
www.goauto.com.au

Ford global product chief says large rear-drive car future must now be reconsidered.

The Ford Motor Co’s global development program for large rear-wheel drive cars is now being reviewed in light of rising fuel costs and changing market trends.

Global product development chief Derrick Kuzak has told US industry journal Automotive News that he is reconsidering the program, which sources indicate was on track for the 2013 model year.

“We need to understand the role of those vehicles, given the change in the market mix,” Mr Kuzak said, but added that development work continued at full speed.

The role of Ford Australia in the future global RWD program is still to be confirmed.

Mr Kuzak met with Ford Australia president Bill Osborne in May to discuss the program, which Mr Osborne – prior to the visit – said would include the case for increased exports from Australia.

“We are going to have some very open discussions about all kinds of future products. Large cars will be on the agenda as well,” Mr Osborne told GoAuto at the time.

“I would say the purpose of the meeting would be to ensure we have the most robust strategy for Ford Australia going forward and I do believe that part of that strategy includes exports.”

www.goauto.com.au

[Jayden]

Ill 'rethink' ford if they axe australian RWD.

shallow..but true.

[Zed7fiddy]

Axe RWD? even though the FG doesnt appeal to me, ill definately head towards a commodore next time around, if i wanted fancy FWD car id hit the Aurion. not a falcon, they will be entering a market they will instantly fail at.

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Jayden

Ill 'rethink' ford if they axe australian RWD.

shallow..but true.

+1

On the flipside, this could put Ford Aus in a better position by using a developed FG platform as the base for the GRWD. What's wrong FG? Nothing. It's even got AWD compatibility.

[Airmon]

People already have the choice of a Mondeo which is almost the size of a Falcon anyway.

[iCat]

I hate front wheel drive. If ford goes this route, I'll be buying commodores.

[ebxr8240]

Most G.M cars in U.S went fwd a few years back and they lost out big time in sales..
Sure medium sized are o/k fwd ...
Imo just make a lighter car...

[Brent]

Originally Posted by Jayden

Ill 'rethink' ford if they axe australian RWD.

shallow..but true.

What he said. +1.

Its either RWD or 4WD or its nothing for me.

[XplosiveR6]

what the need to do is make a small/medium sized platform with rwd. which is a good compromise, good fuel economy from a 4cylender/low capacity 6 cylinder and the sports car feeling of a rwd.

[4Vman]

Must be a slow news day.. nothing new there, just speculation as usual......

[outback_ute]

I agree 4Vman, this talk was around a couple of months ago when they were talking about what to do with GRWD, they questioned whether it would end up happening because a rwd car will weigh a few kilos more than a fwd one. If really tough economy targets come in, every last % of improvement might have to be gotten.

Originally Posted by Falc'man

On the flipside, this could put Ford Aus in a better position by using a developed FG platform as the base for the GRWD. What's wrong FG? Nothing. It's even got AWD compatibility.

Not likely, if GRWD is dropped altogether...

[FalconXR6]

If the mighty Falcon goes FWD AND V6 that will be the end of Ford's for me!!!

Think I might save for a couple of FG XR6T's.
Have one to drive forever.
Store one in the shed under wraps to sell for a million bucks in ten years time!

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by FalconXR6

If the mighty Falcon goes FWD AND V6 that will be the end of Ford's for me!!!

Think I might save for a couple of FG XR6T's.
Have one to drive forever.
Store one in the shed under wraps to sell for a million bucks in ten years time!

More like 50 years time when internal combustion engines are as history as RWD and even Ford Australia!

[Fev]

hopefully they rethink that statement and decide to make RWD 4cyl's and 4cyl turbo's

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

+1

On the flipside, this could put Ford Aus in a better position by using a developed FG platform as the base for the GRWD. What's wrong FG? Nothing. It's even got AWD compatibility.

I agree, could very well be a positive for Ford Australia.

If Ford back out of making a whole new series of RWD vehicles they could just build a lower volume version here just like Holden have done with the Pontiac G8, which could also be sold to the Middle East as a new Crown Vic.

Simple fact is though, that they need a new platform for the Mustang, and the Falcon will eventually need one too, so a new RWD platform is inevitable, its wether it spawns a new Crown Vic, Mercury Grand Marquis or Lincoln Town Car etc that may be up in the air. Maybe they just spend less and make fewer models off it.

[Nikked]

As usual, the world's going to end because some website talks about RWD and that must mean that the falcon is going to turn into a FWD an/or be canned.

"rethink" could mean

-Falcon moves beyond cheap family car
-The engine range could expand to Deisels and/or hybrids eg

[McobraR]

Originally Posted by Fev

hopefully they rethink that statement and decide to make RWD 4cyl's and 4cyl turbo's

well if they're thinking of putting an ecoboost 4cylinder in an F-150 (http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-f-1...line-four.html), it shouldn't be a surprise if they do what you just said.

[montyLalor]

Originally Posted by Nikked

As usual, the world's going to end because some website talks about RWD and that must mean that the falcon is going to turn into a FWD an/or be canned.

"rethink" could mean

-Falcon moves beyond cheap family car
-The engine range could expand to Deisels and/or hybrids eg

Agreed! But if all this speculation comes to the worst case scenario, then we can all rest assured that there are enough Falcon's in Australia to satisfy all us Large RWD die-hards.
Be blowed if I'm going anywhere near a Dunnydore. Sure ain't gonna buy a bum-dragger. The world's fuel supply will dry up before I don't own some sorta Falc.

[sleekism]

Agreed if the Falcon dies in 2013 then we still have 53 years of Falcons to choose from. ATM I can't decide whether I want a Phoon, T3 or XB hardtop.

Maybe it's best if the Falcon does go out on a high note.

Does anybody want to see piddling emissions choked Falcons which will be the norm in a decades time?

[86caprirs]

Man.You guy's are so lucky. Ford in Canada has 1 vehical in RWD and that is the Mustang.Lincoln has the Towncar but I think it is going to the FWD way also.The rest are FWD. I am a technician for Ford in Canada and I can honestly say that I am jelous of you guy's and your cars. I saw the engine choices are awesome. I have never seen a 4.0L inline DOHC 6 turbo in a Ford ever. Plus you are still running the 5.4L 4 cammer engines.WOW. All I see is really boring Ford cars and trucks over here with the engine choices like a 2.0L or 2.3L Mazda engine in the Focus.Every other car has the 3.5L mass produced engine. Then you have the 4.6L 3V engine in the Mustang or a 5.4L 3V in a F-150.

I would love to buy one of your cars and bring it back over to Canada, but Transportation Canada says the vehicle has to be 15 years or older.

Cheers guy's.

P.S. I really hate this site because I want one of your cars so bad and it kills me to see them and not be able to have one. LOL Just kidding.I love this site.