TAURUS To (possibly) Replace FALCON !!!!!

csv8 · 27-01-2009, 06:29 PM

Ford's decision to drop its global rear-wheel drive platform development puts added pressure on the locally made Falcon and increases speculation Australia could get the American Taurus.

The future of the locally built Falcon large car faces fresh uncertainty after Ford said it was abandoning its rear-wheel-drive development program in North America.

Ford Australia was expected to play a key role in the program, with rear-wheel-drive Fords and Lincolns being built on the Falcon’s platform.

The large American cars were due to go on sale in 2013, about two years before the next-generation Falcon is anticipated.

Ford’s product planning chief Derek Kuzak confirmed the decision to axe its rear-wheel-drive plans at the 2009 Detroit motor show debut of the new-generation, front-drive Taurus.

“Because of [government] directives on [stricter] fuel economy, we did have a substantial rear-wheel-drive program under way, but we put that vehicle program on hold and stopped it,” says Kuzak.

“We’re now looking through various alternatives [for Ford large-car platforms] as we look into the future. But we have stopped work on rear-wheel drive.”

Ford has admitted it’s now focusing on fuel efficiency, with American large cars and utes suffering a decline in 2008 when petrol prices almost tripled.

Kuzak acknowledge the reputation of the Falcon’s underpinnings in the Ford Motor Company empire, though suggested it could become a front-wheel-drive car in future.

“We have a very capable rear-wheel-drive platform in Australia; we don’t have to change that tomorrow, so we have time to look through what the alternatives are [for a future platform] … rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive.

“We haven’t made a decision yet and we don’t have a formal program in place at the moment.”

Kuzak didn’t rule out a next-generation version of the American-built Taurus becoming Ford’s new global large car as part of the company’s new One-Ford strategy – where one Ford product is designed to be sold worldwide rather than completely different vehicles for separate markets.

“At this point, the Taurus is a North American vehicle only,” he says. “We haven’t developed it yet [as a global vehicle] at this point, but it’s part of the alternatives we’re looking at.”

The new Taurus is powered by the 3.5-litre V6 Duratec engine that was set to be installed in the Falcon from 2010 before Ford Australia reversed its decision in late 2008.

Already industry speculation suggests Ford made the decision to stick with the inline six-cylinder it has built in Geelong for five decades because it made more business sense than reingeering the existing Falcon for a new V6. While Ford is confirming it will build Falcons with a version of the existing engine until 2013 it will not confirm the future of locally made Falcons beyond that date.

From 2011 Ford will begin building the Focus small car at its Broadmeadows factory.

Kuzak says he wasn’t surprised Ford Australia changed its mind to instead stick with the ageing inline six-cylinder engine. “It was part of an overall business strategy in Ford Australia,” says Ford’s product boss.

Former Ford Australia boss Tom Gorman, however, said in 2007 that the new V6 would put the local car maker in a stronger position to be involved in its parent company’s global rear-wheel-drive development.

“[The V6] brings us one step closer to better integrating with Ford’s global product development,” said Gorman at the time. “The longer we remain an ‘orphan’ in terms of our technologies in Australia, the less likely we are to fully participate in all the activity that’s under way in rear-wheel drive.”

It’s not clear whether Ford Australia last year announced it would stick with the inline six-cylinder it builds in Geelong after learning the Falcon’s platform would no longer be used globally.

Daymoe · 27-01-2009, 06:33 PM

They haven't specifically said they would though, this could backflip just like the V6 idea.

gtfpv · 27-01-2009, 06:33 PM

not in my lifetime . if so . then holden here i come .

**Peuty** · 27-01-2009, 06:33 PM

Doom, gloom and a bunch of predictions.

Deja Vu much?

Daymoe · 27-01-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

not in my lifetime . if so . then holden here i come .

No no, you just stick for Ford Falcon Pre FWD

Rodp · 27-01-2009, 06:44 PM

Please, submit your resume to Today Tonight or Current Affair.

TAURUS to Replace FALCON !!!!! as the header yet the first sentence of the article refutes your header.

XR6_190 · 27-01-2009, 06:59 PM

And here we go again, nothing is actually said, Ford haven't come out and said anything, yet all of you supposed 'fans' jump on the bandwagon, and consign the Falcon to history!

Meanwhile GM have done exactly the same the same thing as Ford and put it's future rear drive plans on hold, and the media go in exactly the opposite tangent and say it makes the Commodore a given for the next 15 years.

It makes no sense to me.

Bucknaked · 27-01-2009, 07:03 PM

Looks like a Camry. I've never been a fan of American's automotive styling. It's always lacked something. Style.

Do you think with ford taking the taurus to replace the falcon that it spells the end for ford Australia?

irlewy86 · 27-01-2009, 07:13 PM

Hell, I like the Taraus but its up against some extremely tough competition. I'd be cross shopping the Mazda 6, Toyota Camry and VW Passat.

**DJR-351** · 27-01-2009, 07:22 PM

TAURUS GT........

:

ivorya · 27-01-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Ford's decision to drop its global rear-wheel drive platform development puts added pressure on the locally made Falcon and increases speculation Australia could get the American Taurus.

The future of the locally built Falcon large car faces fresh uncertainty after Ford said it was abandoning its rear-wheel-drive development program in North America.

Ford Australia was expected to play a key role in the program, with rear-wheel-drive Fords and Lincolns being built on the Falcon’s platform.

The large American cars were due to go on sale in 2013, about two years before the next-generation Falcon is anticipated.

Ford’s product planning chief Derek Kuzak confirmed the decision to axe its rear-wheel-drive plans at the 2009 Detroit motor show debut of the new-generation, front-drive Taurus.

“Because of [government] directives on [stricter] fuel economy, we did have a substantial rear-wheel-drive program under way, but we put that vehicle program on hold and stopped it,” says Kuzak.

“We’re now looking through various alternatives [for Ford large-car platforms] as we look into the future. But we have stopped work on rear-wheel drive.”

Ford has admitted it’s now focusing on fuel efficiency, with American large cars and utes suffering a decline in 2008 when petrol prices almost tripled.

Kuzak acknowledge the reputation of the Falcon’s underpinnings in the Ford Motor Company empire, though suggested it could become a front-wheel-drive car in future.

“We have a very capable rear-wheel-drive platform in Australia; we don’t have to change that tomorrow, so we have time to look through what the alternatives are [for a future platform] … rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive.

“We haven’t made a decision yet and we don’t have a formal program in place at the moment.”

Kuzak didn’t rule out a next-generation version of the American-built Taurus becoming Ford’s new global large car as part of the company’s new One-Ford strategy – where one Ford product is designed to be sold worldwide rather than completely different vehicles for separate markets.

“At this point, the Taurus is a North American vehicle only,” he says. “We haven’t developed it yet [as a global vehicle] at this point, but it’s part of the alternatives we’re looking at.”

The new Taurus is powered by the 3.5-litre V6 Duratec engine that was set to be installed in the Falcon from 2010 before Ford Australia reversed its decision in late 2008.

Already industry speculation suggests Ford made the decision to stick with the inline six-cylinder it has built in Geelong for five decades because it made more business sense than reingeering the existing Falcon for a new V6. While Ford is confirming it will build Falcons with a version of the existing engine until 2013 it will not confirm the future of locally made Falcons beyond that date.

From 2011 Ford will begin building the Focus small car at its Broadmeadows factory.

Kuzak says he wasn’t surprised Ford Australia changed its mind to instead stick with the ageing inline six-cylinder engine. “It was part of an overall business strategy in Ford Australia,” says Ford’s product boss.

Former Ford Australia boss Tom Gorman, however, said in 2007 that the new V6 would put the local car maker in a stronger position to be involved in its parent company’s global rear-wheel-drive development.

“[The V6] brings us one step closer to better integrating with Ford’s global product development,” said Gorman at the time. “The longer we remain an ‘orphan’ in terms of our technologies in Australia, the less likely we are to fully participate in all the activity that’s under way in rear-wheel drive.”

It’s not clear whether Ford Australia last year announced it would stick with the inline six-cylinder it builds in Geelong after learning the Falcon’s platform would no longer be used globally.

Someone confirm this one for me. Isn't the Taurus an American version of the Mondeo??

If it is, theres no way it'll replace the Falcon.

GS608 · 27-01-2009, 07:33 PM

far out what is with all the negative media, no where in that article have Ford said they'll be replacing the falc with the taurus.

All that was said is that they are considering all options, which means exactly that, they're looking at what they can do, no plans have been made.

can't wait for the newpapers to pick up on this and ram it down everyones throats killing falcon sales...then we really will get the taurus, or worse..

Road_Warrior · 27-01-2009, 07:50 PM

Urr, isn't this a repost? I'm pretty sure this 'article' (there is no link there to quantify it) is pretty similar to a Drive one from last month...

Windsor220 · 27-01-2009, 07:50 PM

If they go FWD they can pretty much kiss the Falcon goodbye. It definitely wouldnt come with a V8. FPV would have to shut shop. Would be a disapointing end to an icon.

Sprint XR8 · 27-01-2009, 07:56 PM

The article was written by Jez (Jezzadore) Spinks at Drivel. 14 Jan.
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...rticleID=60193

XRQTR · 27-01-2009, 07:58 PM

They do have FWD V8s, think of the upshot, we may finally get an AWD Falcon V8 and turbo, it's easier to turn a FWD platform into an AWD

:

Sprint XR8 · 27-01-2009, 08:00 PM

Commodore stays on its current platform with updates past 2015. Ford will most likely do the same, its the cheapest option for both companys.
Taurus would sell in less numbers here than Falcon, loss of ute sales, cost of retooling plant, cost of Taurus RHD development, compared with the cost of updating the current Falcon platform means Falcon is more likely to stay.

Windsor220 · 27-01-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRQTR

They do have FWD V8s, think of the upshot, we may finally get an AWD Falcon V8 and turbo, it's easier to turn a FWD platform into an AWD

:

Do we really want V8 AWD? Remember the Coupe4? They said they were concentrating on fuel consumption so I doubt they would do it anyway.

XRQTR · 27-01-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torxteer

Do we really want V8 AWD? .

Not really but it could mean an AWD turbo

:

Yellow_Festiva · 27-01-2009, 08:10 PM

I can sort of see the Taurus being the next Falcon after the FG.. with some of the styling cues in the Taurus.

Like it or lump it, if it saves the company money it could very well happen.

Nikked · 27-01-2009, 08:13 PM

The falcon hasn't been canned, development on a new Us based global platform has. the falcon will continue on, ford will be crazy to dump one large car, and replace it to try and boost sales. Not to mention the taurus is basicly a mondeo that we aready have here.

Auslandau · 27-01-2009, 08:15 PM

FORD HQ don't know what they are having for breakfast tommorrow. If finances turn around, so will there decisions!

....... alot said without saying anything there really.

| [/url] |

4Vman · 27-01-2009, 08:19 PM

Very miss-leading thread title.. probably needs to be changed to "Speculation that the Taurus might replace the Falcon thread # 49684..."..

Windsor220 · 27-01-2009, 08:22 PM

One interesting thing I noticed it said was that they were going to use the Falcon platform for RWD Fords. Since when did they decide to use the Aussie platform? I thought Ford America were going to make their own and make us use theirs.

XR6_190 · 27-01-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

“At this point, the Taurus is a North American vehicle only,” he says. “We haven’t developed it yet [as a global vehicle] at this point, but it’s part of the alternatives we’re looking at.”

Doesn't this sentence answer everything for you, Ford HQ themselves do not know what they are doing. They MAY make the Taurus a worldwide car, they also MAY decide to re engineer Falcon for RWD. They MAY do a lot of things. At the end of the day they don't know what they are doing.

4Vman · 27-01-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_190

Doesn't this sentence answer everything for you, Ford HQ themselves do not know what they are doing. They MAY make the Taurus a worldwide car, they also MAY decide to re engineer Falcon for RWD. They MAY do a lot of things. At the end of the day they don't know what they are doing.

Yes.. in other words nothings new and nothings changed since the last Taurus V Falcon speculation thread....

mongoloid · 27-01-2009, 08:39 PM

I've often toyed with the possibility of working out Ford Australias value, and organising a consortium of investors (a portion of which could be cashed up enthusiasts) to arrange a buy out. The company would still work along side Ford USA in a partnership, however the guidance of the company would have a more Australian ethos, ie maintaining RWD, V8's but still being a progressive company. Having australian control would also help in obtaining susbidies from the government.

A crazy idea perhaps, but i think theres merit there. On the novelty side of things it would be cool to own a little bit of the company we all love.

flappist · 27-01-2009, 08:44 PM

Falcon replaced by Taurus? It does not need an eagle eye to see that is just bull.....

Gobes32 · 27-01-2009, 08:47 PM

Said this a million times but hey, maybe this time someone is listening.

TAURUS WILL NOT REPLACE FALCON

Mondeo will replace Falcon if people don't buy them anymore. In 2013, if Ford can still shift 3-3500 Falcons each month, then the Falcon will not be replaced by anything. The world is going through massive changes at the moment. There is no job security and oil is a ticking time bomb. If Ford wanted a worse time to release FG onto the market, then they could not do any worse than now. The "in" thing to do is drive a green car, which makes Falcon a dirty word.

There is too much speculation occurring on this forum. And none of it good. In the foreseeable future, Ford will not close down, Focus will go ahead, The Falcon will not be replaced by anything at least not for anther 5 years and the Territory will get a diesel engine.

BlackLS · 27-01-2009, 08:51 PM

Seeing as the Focus is due to set for production in Oz, it would make sense for the large car to have similar components. If we do get a large car built here it would be the next gen Mondeo.

Having said that isn't a separate production line being built only for the Foc?

Having said that I'd like to see Ford Aus product the RWD Falcon being built all over the world.