This $103 Million for efficiency improvements to the 2014 Falcon wouldn't be for Euro 5 compliance now would it?
This $103 Million for efficiency improvements to the 2014 Falcon wouldn't be for Euro 5 compliance now would it?
Australia ran the risk of missing out on a golden opportunity to benefit from the explosive growth of the emerging automotive powerhouses of China and India, the president of Ford Australia, Bob Graziano, said today.
The Ford president continued to put pressure on the Australian government to support the local car industry, claiming that a local car industry was vital to the development of a "knowledge economy".
"If we're serious about Australia being a knowledge economy, we need strategic capability. A first-class education system and the ability to build things - high-tech, value-added products - like cars - are the building blocks.
Graziano’s calls echo those of rival brand Holden’s chairman and CEO Mike Devereux.
With sales of the locally made Falcon appearing to be in terminal decline – and many predicting the decline of the Falcon before the natural end of the current generation in 2016 Ford has turned the spotlight on its ability to design and engineering vehicles for the global stage.
Graziano claims the company's design and engineering operation is one of only three centres of excellence for the Ford world, along with Ford headquarters in Detroit and Cologne in Germany.
Ford claims the number of design staff at the Broadmeadows facility has almost tripled in the past 18 months. Graziano said the increase, coupled with technology upgrades, has placed the organisation in a strong position to develop cars for the world.
"Australia is one of only 13 countries in the world that can design and manufacture a vehicle from the ground up.
"The automotive industry is also the largest R&D contributor in the Australian manufacturing sector. Our ability to work on global vehicle programs is a critical part of this.
"We are also perfectly positioned to be involved with the next two automotive powerhouses - India and China."
Graziano was speaking at the opening of a new virtual reality design studio in Broadmeadows that allows designers to sit in a virtual car years before it is built.
He said the 1000-strong design and engineering workforce was evidence that Ford was not just a manufacturing concern.
"There's been a lot of focus on manufacturing - but here is where it all begins, the smart design and technical development that culminates in vehicles that are sold around the world.
Ford sales year-to-date are down by 5 per cent in a market that is up 10 per cent.
Most of that decline can be laid at the feet of the Falcon, with sales of the big Aussie sedan down by almost 30 per cent this year. Attempts to stimulate sales with LPG (EcoLPi) and four-cylinder EcoBoost versions have largely failed and Falcon sales are at their lowest in the nameplate’s 52-year history. If they continue on their current trajectory, sales will have completely dried up by the end of 2016. In reality, the end could come sooner than that.
The demise of the Falcon has been offset to a degree by stronger sales of the locally made Territory SUV and the imported Ford Focus small car.
In more recent months, the Ranger one-tonne ute has been selling strongly, although it is still yet to bounce back from supply problems caused by the floods in Thailand last year.
Ford Australia played a leading role in the design and engineering for the Ranger. It also engineered the Figo city car for the Indian market.
History is a statement, the future is a question.
I'll add this thread's link.
http://www.falconforums.com.au/showt...ufacturing#top
OP has been updated.
“…The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man are disgraceful to ourselves only…How one man single-handedly, could weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouins into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades….A silent great soul, one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world; the world’s Maker had ordered so." - Thomas Carlyle
...Ford shows teaser video of its heavily upgraded 2014 Falcon at today’s Sydney show
Ford Australia used this morning’s Sydney motor show opening to reveal a teaser video of the heavily upgraded Falcon that will be released in 2014.
The fleeting teaser footage – a screen-grab of which is pictured here – was played on a large video screen and revealed only the front-end of the 2014 Falcon.
However, clearly evident in the video are a new bonnet, headlights, front quarter guards, bumper and grille, supporting news from motoring.com.au sources that the FG Falcon’s midlife makeover will in fact be an all-new ‘top hat’.
The extensive Falcon upgrade indicates the iconic Ford large car will continue to be produced at the Blue Oval’s Melbourne assembly plant beyond 2016, despite the fact Ford has not committed to local manufacturing beyond that year.
As one Ford insider told motoring.com.au: “The investment is far too great and the upgrade far too extensive to only last three years”.
“We're really excited about Falcon, and what it represents to our portfolio,” said Ford Australia President Bob Graziano.
“And we think given our recent announcement about investment in January that it is important that we show people where we are heading with Falcon.
“It' s a terrific product and we're really looking forward to having the vehicle in the showrooms in 2014,” he said.
http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2012...n-teased-33119
History is a statement, the future is a question.
Some of the very best thoughts on the industry have come from this member. His latest effort can be found here
http://www.falconforums.com.au/showt...entally-flawed
History is a statement, the future is a question.
Aww, shucks Ian.
RWD Lincolns are coming.
Autoblog
TheDetroitBureau.com spoke with sources at Lincoln and Ford, who claimed the American premium brand is working on, perhaps more than one, rear-wheel-drive vehicle.
Lincoln would likely platform-share with the next-generation Ford Mustang to develop those RWD offerings in the early going. Moving forward, the report indicates that Lincoln could take the lead on other rear-drive projects in the future
Interesting.
Seems that the Mustang + RWD Sedan rumors are getting a bit more weight to them...especially now we know that "S550" is a code for a large sedan...
EL XR6 Turbo \≡≡T≡≡/ AU S3 220KW XR8
It's what we've been saying here for a while.
Also, S550 is Mustang's project name, itself (most likely) based off a large rwd.
http://techknowbits.com/ford-falcon-2014/
The new Falcon won’t be a re-badged Taurus just yet but an extensive upgrade of the current model, which can trace its roots back to the ungainly model launched in 1998.
While the windows and doors will likely stay the same (the most expensive area to redesign), virtually every other exterior element will change. Insiders have suggested a look similar to that of the new Ford Fusion.
The current model’s engines will also carry over but with revisions to improve fuel economy. The base unit will be a 2.0-liter Eco Boost four-cylinder, followed by the locally-developed 4.0-liter straight-six engine in mid-level trim. A V-8 will top the range, either in a revived XR8 or in a new FPV model.
Some of the updates, particularly for the interior and drive trains, should also feature on the Territory, a crossover derivative of the Falcon built on the same line.
One bright spot is the suggestion that the investment required for the Falcon upgrade will likely ensure production continues beyond 2016. The decision, however, will almost certainly be based on whether the updated Ford Falcon and its Territory derivative increase sales significantly from current levels.
Ford Australia chief designer Chris Svensson revealed that the entire Falcon design program was handled in Australia and that the team had plenty of scope to transform the look of the large sedan, which he revealed will make its first appearance during 2013.
This will potentially be next June, when Melbourne hosts the next Australian International Motor Show.
“You’re going to be surprised when you see it, how different it is versus today’s car,” said Mr. Svensson, who said all the design work was done locally.
“We had enough scope that I think when you put the two cars side by side you’ll be shocked at the difference.
“We’ve been working on that for a little while now, and we’re really excited.
“It’s actually just one of the products that we’re working on – we’re working on many – but we’re probably more excited about it (Falcon) because of how it looks. We’re excited about getting that out into the marketplace because we think it’s going to make a big impact.
“It’s a 2014 model, but we will obviously be bringing something early to the world, sometime in 2013.”
Asked whether the new design was the booster shot the Falcon so desperately needs, Mr. Svensson said: “Definitely.
“J Mays was at the design center in Melbourne a few months ago and he was so excited about the Falcon. He thought it was probably one of our better products that we are developing … he was very excited about what he saw and he can’t wait to get this car on the road.”
Eventually the Falcon will move to a global platform, and possibly be sourced from outside Australia, though at this point it’s not clear what Ford is planning.
History is a statement, the future is a question.
Thanks Ian,
two passages from the quoted article are worh repeating:
AND“You’re going to be surprised when you see it, how different it is versus today’s car,” said Mr. Svensson, who said all the design work was done locally.
“We had enough scope that I think when you put the two cars side by side you’ll be shocked at the difference.
“We’ve been working on that for a little while now, and we’re really excited.
“It’s actually just one of the products that we’re working on – we’re working on many – but we’re probably more excited about it (Falcon) because of how it looks. We’re excited about getting that out into the marketplace because we think it’s going to make a big impact.
Asked whether the new design was the booster shot the Falcon so desperately needs, Mr. Svensson said: “Definitely.
“J Mays was at the design center in Melbourne a few months ago and he was so excited about the Falcon. He thought it was probably one of our better products that we are developing … he was very excited about what he saw and he can’t wait to get this car on the road.”
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