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25-09-2010, 03:30 AM | #1 | ||
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‘Huge things’ happening at Ford’s design and engineering centres, says Burela
24 September 2010 By RON HAMMERTON FORD Australia has confirmed it will be the on-going global development centre for Ford’s global T6 light truck platform, which will make its worldwide debut under the all-new Ranger and Mazda’s similarly redesigned BT-50 ute at the Australian International Motor Show in October. Company president and CEO Marin Burela said at this week’s media launch for the new Focus RS hot hatch that “huge things” were happening at Ford’s Victorian design and engineering centres in Cambellfield and Geelong, where work was progressing on “many derivatives” to be built on the ladder-chassis T6 platform. As GoAuto has reported, one of those will be an SUV to challenge vehicles such as Mitsubishi’s Triton-based Challenger and Nissan’s Navara-based Pathfinder. FordRanger center imageFrom top: Current Ford Ranger, Ford Australia president and CEO Marin Burela, Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Mr Burela described the T6 project as the “biggest single technical development program that Australia as a country has ever seen in its history”. “No one in the history of the automotive world in Australia has ever embarked on such a huge tech development of a new car like we have with the new Ranger,” he said. “The vehicle will be sold in over 180 different countries in the world. “That’s the reason we elected to do the global launch of the vehicle in Australia at the Sydney motor show. “So, huge things are happening and huge things will continue to happen.” Mr Burela said the unveiling of the new Ranger in Sydney would mark the start of “a mind-blaster of a year for us”. “2011 will be an absolutely incredible year for us in terms of product launches,” he said. “The whole journey starts now, at the Sydney motor show, where we will be launching a new global pick-up truck, the Ranger.” Mr Burela promised that visitors to the Ford stand in Sydney “will see a few things”, adding: “It is all starting to come together.” Among the new Ford products confirmed for release next year are the EcoBoost four-cylinder Falcon, liquid propane injection Falcon and turbo-diesel Territory. Also expected on sale here next year is the new Ranger, which will be built alongside the new BT-50 in Thailand from mid-2011 before export production ramps up. However, the much-needed all-new Focus small car is only likely to venture Down Under as a 2012 model, first from Germany and later from Thailand. Mr Burela said Ford’s Australian engineering centre remained a critical part of Ford Asia-Pacific’s growth strategy and Ford Australia was excited about what that meant for Australia. “We developed and tested and prepared the Indian car, the Figo,” he said. “Have a look at the raging success it is in India. It is now being exported to South Africa.” Mr Burela said the way supply of Figo was being outstripped by demand was “almost frightening”. Ford Australia’s design, engineering and testing centres employ about 900 workers, switching between products such as the T6 derivatives, Falcon and Territory. Mr Burela said he was extremely confident Ford Australia would report a profit in 2010, making back-to-back years in the black after last year’s return to profit ($13 million). He heaped praise on Ford Motor Co president Alan Mullaly, saying under his direction and the ‘One Ford’ policy, Ford was a different company to that of a few years ago. “We went out and listened to our customers, and listened some more, and then we went out and listened again,” he said. Mr Burela said products such as the Ford Fiesta were an example of Ford’s new direction. He said the Fiesta – which is now being built in Thailand – had grown Ford’s light-car market share from about 4.7 per cent to between 8.3 and 8.4 per cent now. “The greatest problem with that car is that we can’t get enough,” he said. Despite the success of the Fiesta, Mr Burela said he continued to see a healthy future for large cars in Australia, where Ford remained committed to the Falcon. http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577A8002442D5
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25-09-2010, 09:50 AM | #2 | ||
RAGE Engineering
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I'll really get excited when they announce Ford Oz and the Falcon will be the global RWD platform.
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25-09-2010, 10:07 AM | #3 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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Don't get too excited, I think this is restricted to variations on T6 Ranger,
think about all the possible permutations with the following factors; 1) Right hand Drive or Left Hand Drive 2) 3.0 Diesel or 2.0 Ecoboost 3) Low Rider or high Rider. 4) 2WD or 4WD 5) Single cab, Extra Cab or Dual Cab. 6) Pick Up or Cab Chassis/Tray back There must have been an awful lot of crash tests done to cover the number of vehicle variations and market requirements needed to cover 180 countries. Falcon and Territory now look like small projects compared to the engineering development that went into T6 and the SUV variant. Ford Australia have grown from developing good products on a shoestring budget to delivering a versatile truck that holds its head high compared to its competitors on the international stage. Well done Ford. |
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25-09-2010, 10:13 AM | #4 | ||
The 'Stihl' Man
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Who it not stand to reason that the profit made from the t6 project would offset any falcon losses in the short term?
Either way it's all good news with jobs being kept and foa's rep being built. Can't wait to see how t6 actually looks, they msnaged to put a lot of cladding on them. I hope it's more manly than the current front end.
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Last edited by Polyal; 25-09-2010 at 10:29 AM. |
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25-09-2010, 10:36 AM | #5 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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The only stand out losses FoA have incurred in the past few years were associated with redundancies for 600 workers and topping up pension plans. Things like platform development costs are amortized over the product cycle and added to the car's price and recovered. Around $2,000 to 3,000 per car. By comparison, team Red (very apt name btw) significant annual losses since 2005 before VE was introduced, kinda says something for being a "stay at home" regional only manufacturer. |
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25-09-2010, 04:07 PM | #6 | ||||||||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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BA2 XR8 Rapid M6 Ute - Lid - Tint -18s 226.8rwkW@178kmh/537Nm@140kmh 1/9/2013 14.2@163kmh 23/10/2013 Boss349 built. Not yet run. Waiting on a shell. Retrotech thread http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...1363569&page=6 |
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25-09-2010, 05:54 PM | #7 | |||
No longer a Uni student..
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25-09-2010, 08:02 PM | #8 | ||
IWCMOGTVM Club Supporter
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Good to see more development happening here. Lets hope this is just the start.
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25-09-2010, 11:49 PM | #9 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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26-09-2010, 12:57 AM | #10 | ||
BOSS 5.4L Enthusiast
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2.0L Ecoboost 2 x 4 C/Chassis would be a fun new work rig.
Will the New Ranger Spell the end of the Aussie Falcon ute in the future? |
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26-09-2010, 01:05 AM | #11 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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I dont know if it'll kill of the ute per se, if its got great on road manners it'll go some ways. It might send Ford on a different path with the Falcon ute though, perhaps back to a coupe utility/monocoque construction
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26-09-2010, 07:56 AM | #12 | |||
The 'Stihl' Man
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26-09-2010, 05:45 PM | #13 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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They'll recoup the cost of FG development if they continue to make a profit when FG is for sale... ALL (and I do mean ALL) the FG development costs would be expensed to Ford Australia's P&L during the years FG is for sales... As long as Ford continues to make a profit, they will 100% recoup there development costs...
For example, they are spending 230 million on diesel & I4, none of the is classed as an expense for Ford right now, even though the money is getting spent right now, they’ll start to release this cost to the P&L when these models go on sale I hope the just make enough profit to get the green light for GRWD!! Please!! |
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27-09-2010, 09:30 AM | #14 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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The T6 is at a size that is getting close to the F series - that is why they don't want it in the USA.
So it will compete with the Falcon Ute even less that the current Ranger does |
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27-09-2010, 09:54 AM | #15 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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I am worried about the Falcon ute, when the RTV was cancelled MB stated that new hi-rider 2wd Ranger is taking its place in the lineup. In recent history we have seen the wagon and LWB cars cancelled so its certainly within scope. When Falcon moves to a global platform I am fearing the death of it especially if the new Ranger is a good thing (which it will be if Ford AU are developing it). I personally see room for both of them in the lineup, and the 10,000 Falcon utes a year they build must help Falcon sedan production economies of scale. |
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27-09-2010, 10:31 AM | #16 | ||
as in chopped
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There is a MASSIVE market for these things, look at the Hilux numbers.
Hopefully it will look similar to the BT-50 concept >
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27-09-2010, 11:27 AM | #17 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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That is what Mazda's version will sort of look like.
The Ford version is quite different. Let's say more 'Ford' like!! |
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27-09-2010, 11:54 AM | #18 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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I think I read somewhere that this will be the first time the Mazda & Ford will have very different looking utes, so dont think the Mazda design gives us much clues as to what the Ranger will look like..
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27-09-2010, 12:37 PM | #19 | ||
The 'Stihl' Man
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Surely T6 will look like the new explorer.
So, anyword if we can get an aussie FPV Raptor..ill sign on the dotted line now if we can!
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27-09-2010, 02:54 PM | #20 | ||
Ute Forum Moderator
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Not sure there will be that sort of variation - eg multiple wheelbase and tray lengths as per US pickups. I gather the T6 is larger than the Amarok, which is 150mm wider than the current Ranger and only 60mm narrower than an F150.
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27-09-2010, 03:05 PM | #21 | ||
Meep Meep
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I really love the glaringly obvious stab at the Zeta flop.
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Thundering on.... |
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27-09-2010, 03:29 PM | #22 | ||
as in chopped
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F150 front may be a style guide for new Ranger (wild guess!)
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04-10-2010, 06:07 PM | #23 | |||
IWCMOGTVM Club Supporter
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Another good news story on Ford Australia's Engineering capability.
Figo success a feather in Ford Oz cap http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577B100815682 Quote:
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04-10-2010, 09:47 PM | #24 | ||
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Nice find, Daniel, and a good read. "Just watch what we utilise" can only mean one thing...
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04-10-2010, 10:08 PM | #25 | |||
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isn't a variation on E8 Falcon using some real money to find big weight savings. It will be arriving in 2013 so I'd say a little handover of developed sub component and engineering will go on just before the 2012 start deadline for the next Falcon. A few years back FoA mentioned using light metals in a future vehicle, maybe USA's involvement and the drive to reduce weight in the next Mustang by 300 lbs will see an interesting change for the platform..... Last edited by jpd80; 04-10-2010 at 10:13 PM. |
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05-10-2010, 12:15 PM | #26 | |||
Compulsive Hobbiest
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You couldn't ask for better praise and accolades for FOA Design Centre. What great articles!
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I cannot stress that point enough. Ford today is a company that it has NEVER been. Ask any Ford worker and they will tell you Mulally was worth every dollar. Steve
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05-10-2010, 01:51 PM | #27 | |||
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IMO adding IRS (control blade type) would add 100lbs over the live axle. So, they need to save 400lbs from a 3600lb (3700lb with IRS) car. That's 11%. Weight accounts for 70% of fuel consumption, so trimming the fat could save nearly 8% alone. Ford saved some solid amounts of weight by going with alloy front suspension on the Falcon, so I wonder what they could save at the rear? Having Mustang using parts of the E8 Falcon architecture will give the Mustang a real head start and in turn, like you've said allow them to spend money on losing weight on subframes etc. This should be a real win for Falcon. I'm just getting excited at the prospect of a 10% lighter Falcon ie 1550kg Ecoboost up to 1675kg for a GT!
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BA2 XR8 Rapid M6 Ute - Lid - Tint -18s 226.8rwkW@178kmh/537Nm@140kmh 1/9/2013 14.2@163kmh 23/10/2013 Boss349 built. Not yet run. Waiting on a shell. Retrotech thread http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...1363569&page=6 |
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