Hypothetical - New Australian Made Ford

[Riksta]

The thread about "Ford Coupe For The Future" got me thinking a little, so I've come up with a little hypothetical to see what the forum would like.

A very, very wealthy Australian has died and left $20 million for Ford Australia.

The conditions of the donation state that the money MUST be used for the research and development, and tooling and production costs for either a new model or variation of a current model to be built in Australia, but can be sold anywhere in the world. Ford Australia once the car has been decided on must then build a minimum of 100,000 of these vehicles.

So now the debate may start, what would you like to see Ford produce with the money?

[Polyal]

Hmm I would hope he/she would have deeper pockets than that. Put it this way, AU>BA was reportedly around the 500 million mark IIRC....

I would like the money to go to the discovery centre so they can start a proper collection, to many of Fords prototypes and rare vehicles end up in the hands of the public and are destroyed.

Boring, but I think its important.

[Riksta]

LOL, looks like the thread gets posted while I'm still making the poll!

I like your thinking though Polyal, I love the Ford Discovery Centre and it would be awesome to see them gain a bigger and more varied collection.

[BrisVegas]

Something along the lines of a Capri. A compact RWD coupe with a range of engines including an ecobost 2.0, the new Duratec v6 and of course an FPV version with the N/A 5.0 Coyote.

..and yes I realise this car sounds a lot like a Mustang! I'd just prefer a lighter, smaller vehicle that would be a better handler to go up against the 3-series coupe, CLK and S5 etc.

[4Vman]

OTHER.. i want higher specification and refinement levels in upper G series and FPV models..


P.S i don't understand why don't people make polls "public" so we can see how people vote??

[Brazen]

Ford Focus, even Burela says we should be building these types of cars in OZ.

[Riksta]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

OTHER.. i want higher specification and refinement levels in upper G series and FPV models..


P.S i don't understand why don't people make polls "public" so we can see how people vote??

I see what you're saying but unfortunately in this particular situation they must create a new model or variation. So unless they're going to create a new model for the G-series line up containing all these refinements and specifications, its not really viable based on the hypothetical sorry.

I wasn't even thinking about making it public when I created the poll, if an admin or moderator can change this I wouldn't object to it.

[The Snout]

$20M will buy you a new hubcap design, maybe.

[distortion]

other - I would like to see a medium to small coupe. RWD, with the i6t engine. Not a falcon coupe, think 200sx sized sporty looking coupe. base model with the i4t engine. a sporty car that appeals to young drivers, without being imported, or FWD!!!

edit: Brisvegans my apologies, I didnt read your post first! - I'm with you, other than the v8...

[Iggypoppin']

For arguments sake, let's say the bloke left 200million, not twenty. Now we can expand our horizons! I'd say the money should be invested into prolonging the life of the I6. Keep it alive another 10-15 years, so it can meet euro standards and propell falcons for many years to come.

[The Snout]

Originally Posted by Iggypoppin'

For arguments sake, let's say the bloke left 200million, not twenty.

Since the $200M is a free crack at things, I'd give the I6 the **** and get the V6 out here as quick as the yanks can get it on a ship.

Turbo it and present a line of Falcons to Ford USA using the new motor in a big push to have the Falcon the GRWD for Ford.

Falcon needs to p*** or get off the pot.

[tweeked]

$20 million would get an XR6 with a two tone paint package. Seeing as retro is in, cash in by making it Brown and Beige, add a digital clock and call it the Falcon Eclipse.

[Ford_Boy]

v8/6t escort coupe versions for the fg

[4Vman]

20 Mill will get you a "next series" cosmetic/basic mechanical update for an existing model..
A totally new car is a 4-500 Mill prospect.

[magoo66]

There are 3 things there that I would like to see, a 2-door coupe version of the FG, a Left Hand Drive version of the FG for export and dual cab version of the ute. But if I had to choose one, it would be the dual cab ute, I need a ute for work, don't need a full sized tray and would like to have the flexibility to be able to carry more than one passenger. GMH seem to sell heaps of them, don't see why Ford can't and it must be available as an XR8, I'm sure there are a lot of people like me that are just not interested in a 6 or a turbo.

[dave289]

another pole. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

they should try exporting, once again holden has a go but ford ,well they sit on there hands again. surely the fg is better than the crap they make in the US.

[Road_Warrior]

A dual cab Territory-based vehicle would be kinda cool. I would imagine that not everyone who needs a 4x4 or AWD ute wants the kidney-smashing antics of the body-on-frame Jap utes. Pity such a vehicle would compete directly with the Ranger.

Now a Coyote-equipped dual cab Territory ute with AWD would have my undivided attention.

[GK]

FG for export!

Slam GM into the weeds I reckon!

GK

[fg_nitro]

Holden had the re-birth of the monaro from what 2002-2006. Bring back the falcon coupe with a coyote.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Make a basic micro car for 2-3 people with either a 1ltr turbo diesel (2.5-3L/100 and no more than 3.1m long) or totally electric with a range of 150km that retails for $11 to 13 grand.

Sorta like a 'poor mans smart car'... but not with the prestige car premium and mechanicals.

It has to be funky / easy to customise (clip on plastic bodywork) as well as have a dash design / mechanical design that allows for easy LHD / RHD markets (rear engined motorbike / gearbox mechanical perhaps??)...

Needs to run on Bio fuels etc...

Media will love it, should go well in Europe / Asia etc

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by fg_nitro

Holden had the re-birth of the monaro from what 2002-2006. Bring back the falcon coupe with a coyote.

Funny how the First falcon coupe lasted from 5 years and the Monaro coupe lasted what, 4 years... anyone see a pattern?

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Funny how the First falcon coupe lasted from 5 years and the Monaro coupe lasted what, 4 years... anyone see a pattern?

Just like some have asked for a dual cab ute, yet holden's was a flop in sales compared to what it cost them in R&D, hence they no longer have it.

I will be brave enough to say it, spend it on a new GT-HO (that is worthy of the badge), a true no compromise performance car. Admittedly that would require the $200m option, not the $20m.

[irlewy86]

Bring back the RTV.

[4Vman]

In all honesty Ford doesn't need new models, it just needs to make the ones it has better....

[TUF_302]

There is nothing wrong with the models Ford has at the moment, but if this was to happen i would love to see an FG coupe made and sold here!

[Airmon]

Send the 20mil to FPV to design some new wheels.

With the extra $$ equation, I'd go for something medium sized, light, and RWD.
Not because it would be good for Ford, or because they'd sell heaps and the Market is demanding one, just because I want one.

[Falc'man]

Clayton, you should see the new FPV rims ;)

Okay. If it was $20m I would buy GM Holden and throw them in the ocean. With remaining $19.5m I would then shout all the workers a free lunch for as long as the money lasts.

[dannyhilton]

Originally Posted by irlewy86

Bring back the RTV.

Took the thought from my mind. It would be relatively cheap to produce, as the old model was about $20 million IIRC? Most of the groundwork is done, they just need to redo the front suspension to bring it inline with FG and then get it out there. Some will say it's cross where the 2WD Ranger is, but I'd rather sell an Aussie RTV than a Ranger. If Ford would make it with the 2.7 Diesel, I'd imagine it'd open up a whole range of potential buyers. A proper ute, where you don't have to compromise relative car-like quality and drivability, but can still tackle tough duties. Doesn't even need to be AWD, just needs enough kit to give it some credibility.

A Falcon Coupe could be nice, but an RTV is more sustainable.

[uranium_death]

I want nothing new because $20 million dollars is absolutely diddly squat.

Originally Posted by 4VMan

In all honesty Ford doesn't need new models, it just needs to make the ones it has better....

Spot on.
The current models are damn good, but if inertia sets in, the competition will speed past.

Like everything, people want eye-candy (coupes and sportswagons etc), but they'll never actually buy one.

These hypotheticals are really starting to bug me.

Fact remains that Ford globally has a lot of work to and wasting money to meet the dreams of a few enthusiasts is suicide.

I sound like a broken record.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by magoo66

. But if I had to choose one, it would be the dual cab ute, I need a ute for work, don't need a full sized tray and would like to have the flexibility to be able to carry more than one passenger. GMH seem to sell heaps of them

Orly?



You do realise the Crewman was axed years ago due to poor sales don't you?