More crap from wheels

[Ghiadude]

see here

It starts out as a commentary on the Falcon RWD AWD and FWD debate. IT then goes on to extol the virtues of holdens export program. He then puts forward the concept that the falcon should be twinned with the mustang like he JUST thought of it... the mans a genius

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Ghiadude

see here

It starts out as a commentary on the Falcon RWD AWD and FWD debate. IT then goes on to extol the virtues of holdens export program. He then puts forward the concept that the falcon should be twinned with the mustang like he JUST thought of it... the mans a genius

Gee, did we read the same article? I thought it was a very positive article while still spelling out some home-truths.

[uranium_death]

I don't find the article overly bad.

Some parts sting, but the ideas put forward have merit.

Not every article can be glowing with icing on top. Some are going to be fairly factual.

The doctor suggests a spoon of concrete before breakfast.

[sk8xr8]

Ford Australia has the talent, knowledge and passion to turn out a world-class rear-drive platform that will make Falcon fly and Mustang maul. You only need to drive a Territory or FG Falcon to know that Ford Australia’s engineers are every bit the equal of their Holden counterparts.

Dosnt sound like a bad article to me buddy...

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Ghiadude

see here

It starts out as a commentary on the Falcon RWD AWD and FWD debate. IT then goes on to extol the virtues of holdens export program. He then puts forward the concept that the falcon should be twinned with the mustang like he JUST thought of it... the mans a genius

There was nothing offensive in that article.

Paragraph by paragraph it's just regurgitation of
points that most avid RWD fanatics already know:

1) Avid RWD fans will always respond strongly to FWD Vs RWD polling.
2) RWD Sedans are indelibly etched into the Australian psyche
3) A recognition that FoA is small and Dearbon wants as much integration as possible
4) I think Burela's comments were taken out of context, Falcon needs to be part of a bigger plan.
5) Hard to predict FoA thinking but a FWD Falcon would be dangerous move for Ford Australia
6) Falcon alternative, the Mondeo's sales have been, well, crap.
7) Ecoboost Falcon is here next year promising impressive fuel economy
8) Exports can boost bottom lines but Holden fell victim to poor timing and the jaws of the GFC.
9) Co-development of Falcon and Mustang makes sense.
10) Ford Australia’s engineers are every bit the equal of their Holden counterparts.
11) I, for one, am standing up for a rear-drive Falcon

[T3ts50]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Gee, did we read the same article? I thought it was a very positive article while still spelling out some home-truths.

Im with you on this.

[EB#]

The article was a good read....

Makes me think that if Ford US were to allow the FG chassis/drive train design to
lead the Mustang, so to speak, the Mustang would be better yet. I believe that
Ford Aus have got a world class operation in the design shop.

[sarrge2001]

A good article IMO.

And some basic questions that aren't being answered by Ford......

[Ghiadude]

What I found off putting is the whole - Holden have exports, Commodore will remain RWD because of it. From what i understand - The commodore is in as much danger of disappearing as the falcon does. If GM run out of money Alpha is gone. Zeta's already dead and there are NO OTHER RWD platforms that will take commodore easily. Couple that with the fact that GMH aus is in the red to the tune of 200mil, as well as the fact that exports have dried up altogether........I think hes looking through rose coloured glasses. I agree that the falcon is in jeopardy and may go FWD/AWD or FWD. I agree that it will most likely merge with the stang if it is to survive at all. I dont agree that this is a new idea that he makes it out to be. That brings me to my main point... this article adds nothing new to the falcon future picture - except to gush about how the commodore is secure.... Im thinking this is filler on a slow news day.

[ltd]

Just read the article. That was an honest, open and positive thing. Well done wheels; you've actually restored some of my faith with that.
Brilliant work.

[Deco28]

I thought Ford fans weren't allowed to like Wheels.

STOP BLASPHEMING!!!!!!!!.

[partsguy]

I didn't read anything that was suggesting that he thought of combining Falcon with Mustang platforms.

Good article.

[Powdered Toast Man]

I also agree, good article. Positive on Ford Oz's vertues for a change instead of berating them.

As far as I see it the FWD/RWD debate/decision and how it is being considered rests on the management of the global companies (i.e. Ford glaobal and GM global) and how they percieve their markets. My guess would be since Ford is building sucessful, good quality, dynamically excellent front drivers for (mainly) European consumption they see the adavantages of FWD. GM on the other hand aren't known for their great FWD dynamics so they are more interested in staying and/or going RWD more.

Thats why Holden is looked upon like the golden child of GM RWD design and why Ford Oz is being looked at like a poor business case. GM is putting more emphasis on RWD since they aren't as good in the FWD design.

Well thats my opinion anyway....

[Chilliman]

Nothing that we didn't know already in regards to Ford...

.....as for Holden; with Camaro moving to the Alpha-platform, the Zeta-based Commodore is in just as much danger of going FWD albeit in a longer time-frame (2018?).

[BFZF8]

Originally Posted by partsguy

I didn't read anything that was suggesting that he thought of combining Falcon with Mustang platforms.

Good article.

From the article: "Which brings me neatly back to Ford and my head-scratching over the FWD Falcon debate. Ford has a rear-drive muscle car, maybe you’ve heard of it? It’s called Mustang. What I can’t wrap my head around is why the next-gen Falcon can’t be co-developed with the next Mustang (if you’re reading this Mr Blue Oval, please tell me).

Ford Australia has the talent, knowledge and passion to turn out a world-class rear-drive platform that will make Falcon fly and Mustang maul. You only need to drive a Territory or FG Falcon to know that Ford Australia’s engineers are every bit the equal of their Holden counterparts."

While this would seem to be the obvious choice and the one that we all hope will happen, there is just one problem I can see with it. The Mustang enthusiasts love the live axle. A few years ago they offered one model with an IRS (Cobra R I think) and they hated it. Apparently some of them even converted them back to live axle.

So while we'd all love the Falcon and Mustang to be built on a shared platform, my fear is that Dearborn would be afraid of alienating a massive fan base.

[jpd80]

Trust me, the thought of Aussies designing the next Mustang sends a cold shiver down the US fans' bodies.

After seeing the Monaro paraded as a Pontiac GTO and now the Camaro released at only 50 Kg lighter
than a Commodore, US Ford fans are terrified that an Aussie designed Mustang will become a fat bloated pig.

And who could blame them, designing a coupe off a sedan or vice versa is a recipe for disaster...

And if you think I'm being silly, just imagine how you would feel about
Ford North America being lead designers of the next generation Falcon...

Scary thought, eh......so you can see why Mustang fans feel the way they do..

[GTP534]

Just read the article and my take is that the journo is a supporter of the Falcon remaining rear wheel drive. The reference to the Holden export program was to demonstrate that through it Holden had better integrated itself with GM globally. Ford Australia has the design expertise here to be a global leader for Ford in rear wheel drive and the journo can't understand why Ford seem to be dithering about. This uncertainty doesn't do much for confidence.