Carr to Detroit to rescue Aus Car Industry

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Yes, the 2013 update was planned contingent on approval of funding
and Ford continuing with Falcon after the product cycle ends in 2016.
If Falcon was being discontinued, they wouldn't be doing 2013 update.

This could be a ploy to get as much government cash as possible before a major announcement..

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Yes, the 2013 update was planned contingent on approval of funding
and Ford continuing with Falcon after the product cycle ends in 2016.
If Falcon was being discontinued, they wouldn't be doing 2013 update.

This could be a ploy to get as much government cash as possible before a major announcement..

Interesting.

So then the only question that remains is that old bugbear of whether the car will be a RWD or corporate FWD/AWD platform.

[XRFutura]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Interesting.

So then the only question that remains is that old bugbear of whether the car will be a RWD or corporate FWD/AWD platform.

I have feeling if they stay with RWD, they would make it a AWD/RWD platform like the dodge charger.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by XRFutura

I have feeling if they stay with RWD, they would make it a AWD/RWD platform like the dodge charger.

I feel the same.

As regards that RWD/AWD chrysler platform. It makes me wonder why Ford never did something similar. I guess because they have that with Territory. That is something that could be utilised in a sedan though.

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by XRFutura

I have feeling if they stay with RWD, they would make it a AWD/RWD platform like the dodge charger.

That would be pretty cool if they could keep the weight down and keep the manual transmission option.

[FPV8U]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

That would be pretty cool if they could keep the weight down and keep the manual transmission option.

It would be Auto only just like the chrysler, all they would need is Heros trying to launch a 2000kg Falcon like it's a Mid 90's WRX..

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

It would be Auto only just like the chrysler, all they would need is Heros trying to launch a 2000kg Falcon like it's a Mid 90's WRX..

Probably could hit that weight in AWD... or close to.

The yanks need it apparently.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Interesting.

So then the only question that remains is that old bugbear of whether the car will be a RWD or corporate FWD/AWD platform.

It just depends how the product chiefs view unfolding events and FoA's strategy going forward.
You can bet that a strong global platform alternative has been fully explored, perhaps dismissed (?)
but that doesn't necessarily mean that a regionally developed vehicle will work either......shrug...
Do they want to cover mid and large cars with one vehicle and multiple engines?
If so, which platform and strategy attracts most sales and offers the best return?
Will the government give funds if the vehicle has significantly improved fuel economy?


I know I'm not helping here, all I can say is hang tight and keep fingers crossed....

[Blue Blooded]

What are we expecting the announcement at the Detroit Motor Show to be about? The future of FoA after the FGII runs it's course?
Surley with the time it takes to design and engineer a new model a decision needs to be made now?
I'm hearing so many different things it's hard to decipher all the c**p from truth.

[Bossxr8]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/mil...-1226238967432

Interesting comment "the true scale of the investment is a secret".

This could very well be money to start product planning for all new Falcon, they need to know what it is they want, what form it will take, and what its going to look like, before they try to get the business plan approved for full funding to get it into production. I'm positive Ford do not get approval for the whole program until they have done initial design and planning work and done the cost analysis on it.

Just like the 2013 Falcon has been planned and designed but they were still waiting for funding approval.

Here's hoping so.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by jpd80

It just depends how the product chiefs view unfolding events and FoA's strategy going forward.
You can bet that a strong global platform alternative has been fully explored, perhaps dismissed (?)
but that doesn't necessarily mean that a regionally developed vehicle will work either......shrug...
Do they want to cover mid and large cars with one vehicle and multiple engines?
If so, which platform and strategy attracts most sales and offers the best return?
Will the government give funds if the vehicle has significantly improved fuel economy?


I know I'm not helping here, all I can say is hang tight and keep fingers crossed....

How about a platform that covers mid and large cars with a few (corporate) engine options.

[aualright]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

If the government is so concerned about saving the auto industry why don't they start implementing the same dirty tricks the other countries use to protect their industries?

Like how Thailand totally destroyed Fords exporting of Territorys there by implementing a new tax that effectively killed Territory overnight. Yet we buy tens of thousands of Thai built vehicles. Eye for an eye I say.

Trade deals between countries have winners and losers. The one with Thailand began in 2005 and they previously had taffifs up to 200%. This has been dramatically reduced depending on what product we are exporting to them.

You may also recall the trade deal we did with the US - we had many winners however our sugar industry got shafted by it. Winners and losers.

****

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

You always have to wonder about the accuracy of a news story, when it quotes Fords 3500 production staff, and they only have 1750. $50 million sounds more like a "we will keep the lights on a bit longer" sort of money.

It would seem those un-accurate journos where far, far, far closer to the mark then you!!!

http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/p...944/sub051.pdf

[In Focus]

Some figures I picked up from the Austrade website.

Australian exports to Thailand: A$6,960 million
Australian imports from Thailand: A$9,117 million

So it's not all one way traffic, but the Thais currently have the better end of the deal.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by In Focus

Some figures I picked up from the Austrade website.

Australian exports to Thailand: A$6,960 million
Australian imports from Thailand: A$9,117 million

So it's not all one way traffic, but the Thais currently have the better end of the deal.

That is an interesting post.. I wonder what it is we are sending them??

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

That is an interesting post.. I wonder what it is we are sending them??

Well duh..... 9.6 billion worth of akubra hats, drizabones and ugh boots. :P

Nah...probably just good minerals and gas we could use ourselves.