Ford Announces New Engine Direction

[Donut King]

July 18 2007
Ford Announces New Engine Direction
Ford Australia today announced a key step in a new product manufacturing strategy that will allow the company to achieve production efficiencies and access global economies of scale.

From 2010 Ford Australia will import a global new Duratec V6 engine, including high performance derivatives, for use in the company's locally made Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory model lines. The improved economies of scale resulting from the globally-sourced engine will offer increased flexibility to potentially incorporate future alternative fuel strategies, particularly diesel technology.

As a result, the company will discontinue its Australian I6 engine operations in Geelong in 2010. Redeployment opportunities will be maximised wherever possible and the company will work closely with its employees and unions to minimise the impact on the 600 people affected by the decision across engine operations. The company's remaining 1400 employees in Geelong and 3000 in Campbellfield will not be directly impacted by the decision.

Construction of the company's new Research & Development Centre, announced in 2006 as part of Ford's $1.8 billion Australian investment program, will continue and is due for completion later this year. Significant investment programs in new emissions laboratories and wind tunnel technology at Ford's test facilities at Lara will also continue, along with usual operations at the company's stamping plant and Ford Discovery Centre.

The decision to introduce the new engine and discontinue engine operations at Geelong follows industry-wide changes in consumer behaviour, including lower demand for large cars and the corresponding increase in popularity of smaller, imported vehicles. These changes have seen sales of locally produced vehicles as a percentage of the total industry in Australia fall from 36.1 per cent in 1998 to 19.4 per cent year-to-date in 2007 (Source: VFACTS).

"The Australian car market has fundamentally and permanently changed," said Ford Australia President Mr Tom Gorman.

"Our new engine strategy is a direct response to the lower manufacturing levels of locally produced large vehicles. Although we remain committed to our current local vehicle lines � Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory, it is imperative that we improve our ability to respond to the increasing consumer desire for alternative fuels, improved performance, and better fuel economy while spreading the investment required across a broader base of vehicles. Importing the new engine from 2010 will allow us to achieve these goals."

The new engine will be sourced from high volume US engine facilities that are anticipated to produce approximately one million engines per year by 2011. In contrast, Ford Australia's engine operation currently produces 70,000 engines each year.

The next stage in Ford Australia's new manufacturing strategy is to improve the capacity utilisation at its Campbellfield manufacturing plant.

"We are currently investigating a number of alternatives that will allow us to return our Campbellfield manufacturing facility to 100 per cent capacity," said Mr Gorman.

"We look forward to working with our employees to ensure we can deliver on the next step in our process to continue building our business here in Australia."

[RG]

Why buy a 6cyl Falcon from then on? There will be bugger all difference between Ford and Holden except for the badge.

[ClevlndStemer]

Well it will be interesting to see what this new V6 will bring. I am looking forward to seeing it. It may be a blow that the Geelong factory will shut but hey times change and Ford is still a business. I don't think the government is to blame at all for this, I see it as the consequence of Ford's lack of business direction over the past few years, not adjusting to market changes.

[sleekism]

So we have a I6 until 2010?

Are the workers at Geelong going to be in a good mood when they build our engines if they know they are getting the sack?

Are they going to give the I6 a good run in Orion?

What if this is another fad like FWD in the 70's & 80's where everybody plays follow the leader and all of a sudden in the 90's they realise that they need RWD for a decent large cars and Ford and Holden cash in on this fact by pure chance!

BMW don't give a about fads and always stick to the proven RWD and I6 formula.

You can't seriously tell me that Ford "the truck company" has no use for a torquey and powerful straight six engine?
What about the F series and all the bloody SUV's.

If the Mustang can fit a Modular 5.4L why can't it fit the Barra?

My guess is that Ford NA said you can't have your cake and eat it too and it was either the Falcon or the Barra on the chopping block.

I only hope that Ford has a ecent V8 by 2010 otherwise I'm going to stuff it and go old school. I think a 68 Fairmont would do nicely or maybe a XE ESP.

It looks like the Typhoon is going to become the next VL Calais!

Seriouisly a big let down but I doubt cars will be any fun in 2010 the way emissions, safety and noise laws are going.

I think Orion is going to be the twilight of the Falcon.

[TZENU]

I would be more concerned with the fact that potentially 600 Ford workers will be unemployed come 2010..

It would be interesting to see how well the V6 does in comparison with the I6 of the Barra....

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by sleekism

So we have a I6 until 2010?

Are the workers at Geelong going to be in a good mood when they build our engines if they know they are getting the sack?

Are they going to give the I6 a good run in Orion?

Well considering that's their job I would hope so :

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by TZENU

I would be more concerned with the fact that potentially 600 Ford workers will be unemployed come 2010..

Exactly.

Long live the Falcon I6. :

[Dave_au]

Ford's a business, life goes on.

I'll welcome the v6 with interest in 2010.

[King Nothing]

Thats right guys and gals, get yourself a bf or orion xr6t/typhoon and hide it in a shed somewhere, it might be worth a bit of money one day. Then again, v8 XE's arent very pricey yet. Bah, if only we still had 70's style homogulation races with typhoons on the track. Imagine what they would be worth come 2040!

[Focused]

this sux crap news

[Black F6]

Anyone know the torque figures on these Duratec's, and are these the ones they where building with twin turbo's ?????

[TZENU]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Duratec_engine

more info re. Duratecs

[ltd]

Can almost guarantee you that come 2010, the 600 workers will probably be able to be employed elsewhere within the ford Geelong factory. Should Orion be as good as various sources suggest, ford will recruit from within before hiring new staff. Furthermore, should Orion gain the exports it is supposed to to various markets, Ford will again utilise all of their capacities resulting in the creation of thousands of jobs. Mulally has already stated that he wants Oz to design and build the next LWB RWD car for the USA, see how busy ford is then. In a way, it is a concession for the fact that Australia will gain alot from the export deal to the USA; you have to remember that they have auto workers who will lose jobs too. Also, the CKD that some models will leave Australia in will be minus an engine, which should save shipping costs as well as negate the need to meet certain emmission standards in states such as California. If the american de-tuned engine meets those standards, we may not necessarily want the same here. I don't see it as such a bad thing, I'm sure that there will be other opportunities created for those workers. Meanwhile, it looks onwards and upwards for Ford Australia.

[SPK-250]

I think it's silly that they have built such a good engine through evolution, the 4.0, and then go and replace it with another engine. I reckon it has to do with making body overhangs smaller and interiors larger.

[Perana]

Not unsurprising really.. While it's disappointing that the Falcon wont have a straight 6, The 3.7L Duratec does look quite promising, with possible Direct Injection etc. also the TwinForce version looks quite promising for XR6T and FPV versions. I can see why the I6 has been dropped. The business case for modernising it wouldn't have looked very good I'm sure!

I wouldn't be worrying too much about the Duratec 35/37 engine being a course POS like the Alloytec, they are vastly different engines.. The Duratec 35 is derived from the Jaguar AJV6 which in itself was originally an improved version of the Duratec 25/30. Go and Drive an S-Type V6 or the forthcoming CX-9 Mazda to see what its actually like BEFORE you bag it!

Those that are deluded into thinking a current car is going to be worth something cause it has an I6 will be sorely disappointed when it doesn't happen! 99% of people do NOT understand/care what an Inline6 and a V6 actually is.. just look at all the reports in the media last week about the Inline V6 Falcon engine being discontinued!

To me this is most disappointing for those who lose their job's. I hope Ford can work something out as stated to keep the majority of them in FoMoCo in another area. Good on Ford for announcing it now, giving workers time to find new employment too. I'm glad they didn't do a Mitsubishi in that regard! Finally good luck to all the workers!

[DODDO]

I hope these new engines can live up to Fords reputation as a great vehicle to use for towing. Also, im not that excited of the fact that they will be building these new engines in the states. I think that some American manufactured items, are not that great when it comes to build quality.

Anyway, I hope it goes well for us.

[Venomous1]

Life changes things change

Oh well there goes the heritage eventually Ford will announce we are moving to front wheel drive.

Guys preserve your Au's/Ba's/Bf's they are collectors for sure.

[ClevlndStemer]

Originally Posted by Venomous™

Guys preserve your Au's/Ba's/Bf's they are collectors for sure.

doubtable.

[mcflux]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

Ford's a business, life goes on.

I'll welcome the v6 with interest in 2010.

Same. As long as the duratech (or whatever) proves to be torquey in a falcon body. I'll only complain when RWD gets turfed for FWD.

Did holden fans turn their back on holden when the VL came out with a Nissan six? Ditto for the VN's Buick 3.8. Ditto again for the VZ Alloytech.

I recall reading that some Holden fans were shattered that their aussie icon was losing its aussie motor and having a japanese heart in its place. But look at VLs now, they're considered fully sick and run 8s down the 1/4 when, err, tricked up a little :P (pod filter & zorst no doubt)

Sleekism, the current mustang has a V6 variant. I don't think the US would be interested in closing down one of their own V6 plants to import Aussie I6 engines, especially with the current strong Aussie dollar.

[falzoony]

Originally Posted by TZENU

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Duratec_engine

more info re. Duratecs

Hope we get that V12.

[Perana]

Some interesting Info about the Duratec 25/30 is in here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mondeo_V6_engine

Engineering input from PORSCHE and COSWORTH.....

[Deanodriver]

Originally Posted by BFXRScott

Anyone know the torque figures on these Duratec's, and are these the ones they where building with twin turbo's ?????

I believe the 3.5L Duratec puts out 198kW/339Nm, but that's in the US.

Personally, I think it's a shame that the I6 is going, but I hope that Ford brings not only this V6, but a diesel as well.

Originally Posted by Perana XR8

Some interesting Info about the Duratec 25/30 is in here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mondeo_V6_engine

Engineering input from PORSCHE and COSWORTH.....

True, but engineering input from Porsche didn't help the Epica's engine :

[UHW]

why was the other thread locked?
It was official from 10.30 this morning!!
This is old news

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by Perana XR8

I wouldn't be worrying too much about the Duratec 35/37 engine being a course POS like the Alloytec, they are vastly different engines..

Do you mean "coarse" (as in rough) or have a missed the point.

I think that as long as the Duratec can perform similar power figures and allow the Falcon to tow well, then there should not be much of a problem.

[Mark351]

Originally Posted by sleekism

You can't seriously tell me that Ford "the truck company" has no use for a torquey and powerful straight six engine?
What about the F series and all the bloody SUV's.

American F150s use a... wait for it... V6. Old US trucks used a 300ci straight six, they went to V6 long before our own cars did. Ford Aus was the last bastion of the straight six in the Ford Empire. As Ford evolves into a more global entity, then subsidiaries need to embrace global thinking - like a global Ford V6. Global thinking may also mean that while we need to share a global engine, perhaps others can share our RWD platforms (well, we can only hope...)

Frankly, a V6 Falcon is better than no Falcon, and much better than no Ford.

Hey, instead of those old V10 rumours, may we can start V12 rumours - the Aston Martin Vanquish and the Ford GT90 prototype has a V12 using Duratec components!

[SNB05T]

and now all the doomsdayers come out.
i'd love to see the duratec come out with the power output of the xr6t does now, but then again, that wont make everyone happy will it. :

[Perana]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

Do you mean "coarse" (as in rough) or have a missed the point.

Yes that is what I meant.. It's a pity work takes so much concentration away from posting heh

[UHW]

maybe there is enough time to get a deal going to build the V6 here.
2010 is a long way off, still time to do a deal?
Misplaced optimism??

[Perana]

Originally Posted by UHW

why was the other thread locked?
It was official from 10.30 this morning!!
This is old news

No it was confirmed when Ford released the Media Release this afternoon.. This morning's "Confirmation" was all based on rumors from the Media and Government.

[King Nothing]

BFII Barra I6 - 190kw, 383 Nm
Duratec 35 - 198kw, 339 Nm
VE 3.6L Alloytech - 180kw, 330 Nm

I sure hope we get the Duratec 37 instead (due for a 2009 release), 44 Nm is quite a drop! Looks like it'll be a v8 for me next time. I drive an alloytech at work, no low down torque, no thank you.