Sad! I still think Ford needs better direction because I have seen them do nothing as of yet...right.

 

Ford could use a sporty RWD Sedan... AT LEAST ONE!

 

Are they that dumb at Ford ?

 

New Focus in 2011? The current one is outdated, NOW. In three years its going to be a sick joke.

 

Sad! I still think Ford needs better direction because I have seen them do nothing as of yet...right.

Ford or Ford AUS?
This article has reported nothing new, Ford AUS never once stated that orion would be exported in large numbers into any LHD market, this is simply re-hasing old information.
They have done plenty right, they did territory and picked the market correctly there.
They are assembling the new model focus from 2011 to supply RHD markets, they have the engineering contract for the T6 platform and they will be involved in the huntsman GRWD platform.
Falcon is improving fuel consumption with each update, while commodore didn't.
Orion is the last Australian exclusive platform until 2012-13.
Ford simply isn't relying on falcon exports to keep them afloat, fuel prices are not going down and the majority of markets are asking for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles.
Some of you don't seem to know what your commenting on...

 

New Focus in 2011? The current one is outdated, NOW. In three years its going to be a sick joke.

I really do not know where you obtain your information from? The current AUS sold focus is the Euro version, it was just updated and will recieve a big facelift late next year.
It's not outdated.

 

Hummmmmmmmm.........I want to say something nice......... BUT I think GMC is on the right path with "all cars for all markets" in the future and becoming a WORLD WIDE manufacture, instead of a group of regional manufactures with the same ownership.

Ford IMO is on the wrong path with this decision. It looks like the "NEW" Ford management still can not brake out of the "OLD" Ford way of doing things. One world, Many markets, many different manufactures under a common name.

 

I thought this platform was going to be used for the next generation Mustang and a few other RWDs?

As for the Focus, the 08 is a major improvement in almost every area, except powertrain. Need to see it close up before I decide on the exterior, although I think it looks OK. The 2011 Focus will come from the next generation Euro-Focus and will then be well above par, if not class-leading.

 

Hummmmmmmmm.........I want to say something nice......... BUT I think GMC is on the right path with "all cars for all markets" in the future and becoming a WORLD WIDE manufacture, instead of a group of regional manufactures with the same ownership.

Ford IMO is on the wrong path with this decision. It looks like the "NEW" Ford management still can not brake out of the "OLD" Ford way of doing things. One world, Many markets, many different manufactures under a common name.

I do not see any evidence for the point your trying to make?

 

That's a shame to hear. I'm a GM fan first and foremost, but I'd love to see Ford have a competitive RWD performance sedan in its US lineup as well.

 

It has been predicted many times come 2012 Ford will have a new GRWD platform.
Thats when falcon will merge into the Ford world of platform sharing, Falcon is getting the new duratec V6 in 2010.

 

But what LHD markets would they sell it in? Big cars only sell in the Middle East and North America. The Middle East doesn't exactly need the Falcon. And exactly where in the US lineup would the Falcon sit? Being a rwd fan, I'd love to see more cars like this on the market, but I think it would sit awkwardly in Ford's lineup, being relegated to niche status. I think Ford simply can't afford to tool up for LHD just for a few N/A niche sales. Sad though; a waterfall grille slapped on it and it's a nice Mercury model! Also, we must remember that currency issues may be playing a big part in Ford's decision, just as GM are re-thinking the N/A version of the Holden Ute.

 

I really do not know where you obtain your information from? The current AUS sold focus is the Euro version, it was just updated and will recieve a big facelift late next year.
It's not outdated.

I'm referring to the US version, which I believe also receives a new model in 2011. I wasn't talking about the euro-spec one (which, upon re-reading the post, I definitely misread and assumed they were talking about the US version)

 

Are they that dumb at Ford ?

I don't like Fords, except this Ford, and they are being smart in that they don't want me as consumer

 

Are they that dumb at Ford ?

They're just waiting for the next-generation Falcon development. "Orion" development is essentially a heavy refresh of the current Falcon and I imagine its pretty unsuitable for global emissions, LHD, crash safety, etc.

Zeta was built for export from the ground up, so that's why it's so versatile and that's why it cost more than 10 times the amount that Orion costs Ford to develop. Ford's going to take awhile to turn around because they have to start integrating product plans across the world, they have to start sharing many, many parts, and all of that takes tons of money, which means they're going to have to slowly roll this plan out across the model range. GM has gone through the same changes, the only difference is that GM is pretty much done, all of the next-gen cars coming out (like Delta II, Epsilon II, Zeta, Alpha, Gamma, Theta-Epsilon, etc) are all based off of global platforms and the global parts bin and are being rolled out globally at the same time.

Most people really have no idea how bad slick Willie Ford left FoMoCo. Before Mulally there's no global development, no parts sharing, all kinds of fiefdoms and inherent inefficiencies in a company that could be called well-off compared to its Detroit rivals in terms of pensions and healthcare expenses, retiree expenses, etc, and had been (up until the point he had taken over) really profitable and had stable marketshare for many years. There's no doubt that Nasser had squandered Ford's image and billions of dollars, and all kinds of goodwill (ex: Taurus) when he was summarily fired after the Firestone disaster, but Ford was in good shape competitively compared to the wreck GM and the consumed Chrysler. It will take decades of hard work to undo that damage.

 

Good.
Keep that horrible aussie styling down under where it belongs. Give us an all-American chassis and styling and we will gladly wait a little longer. I hate that rounded look. Bring us the Interceptor.

 

But what LHD markets would they sell it in? Big cars only sell in the Middle East and North America. The Middle East doesn't exactly need the Falcon. And exactly where in the US lineup would the Falcon sit? Being a rwd fan, I'd love to see more cars like this on the market, but I think it would sit awkwardly in Ford's lineup, being relegated to niche status. I think Ford simply can't afford to tool up for LHD just for a few N/A niche sales. Sad though; a waterfall grille slapped on it and it's a nice Mercury model! Also, we must remember that currency issues may be playing a big part in Ford's decision, just as GM are re-thinking the N/A version of the Holden Ute.

Precisely!
Ford will have a new world RWD platform come 2012, thats when the US will have their own body and trims, Australia too, the Middle East etc...
the 08 Falcon is simply the stop gap until this occurs, Ford won't particuarly use the same platform and body worldwide, it will utilize the one standrd RWD platform while the smaller Ford outposts across the world will use more specific bodies, trim and specs to suit each individual market.
When we live in a world obsessed with global warming and high iol prices to me Ford Australias focus on local small car assembly seems to make some sense...

 

They're just waiting for the next-generation Falcon development. "Orion" development is essentially a heavy refresh of the current Falcon and I imagine its pretty unsuitable for global emissions, LHD, crash safety, etc.

Zeta was built for export from the ground up, so that's why it's so versatile and that's why it cost more than 10 times the amount that Orion costs Ford to develop. Ford's going to take awhile to turn around because they have to start integrating product plans across the world, they have to start sharing many, many parts, and all of that takes tons of money, which means they're going to have to slowly roll this plan out across the model range. GM has gone through the same changes, the only difference is that GM is pretty much done, all of the next-gen cars coming out (like Delta II, Epsilon II, Zeta, Alpha, Gamma, Theta-Epsilon, etc) are all based off of global platforms and the global parts bin and are being rolled out globally at the same time.

Most people really have no idea how bad slick Willie Ford left FoMoCo. Before Mulally there's no global development, no parts sharing, all kinds of fiefdoms and inherent inefficiencies in a company that could be called well-off compared to its Detroit rivals in terms of pensions and healthcare expenses, retiree expenses, etc, and had been (up until the point he had taken over) really profitable and had stable marketshare for many years. There's no doubt that Nasser had squandered Ford's image and billions of dollars, and all kinds of goodwill (ex: Taurus) when he was summarily fired after the Firestone disaster, but Ford was in good shape competitively compared to the wreck GM and the consumed Chrysler. It will take decades of hard work to undo that damage.

spot on...

 

Ford or Ford AUS?
This article has reported nothing new, Ford AUS never once stated that orion would be exported in large numbers into any LHD market, this is simply re-hasing old information.
They have done plenty right, they did territory and picked the market correctly there.
They are assembling the new model focus from 2011 to supply RHD markets, they have the engineering contract for the T6 platform and they will be involved in the huntsman GRWD platform.
Falcon is improving fuel consumption with each update, while commodore didn't.
Orion is the last Australian exclusive platform until 2012-13.
Ford simply isn't relying on falcon exports to keep them afloat, fuel prices are not going down and the majority of markets are asking for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles.
Some of you don't seem to know what your commenting on...

It really doesn't help your (our) argument to just pick on something and bash GM. But then again, is fuel economy the biggest selling point on a large RWD sporty car?

 

Good.
Keep that horrible aussie styling down under where it belongs. Give us an all-American chassis and styling and we will gladly wait a little longer. I hate that rounded look. Bring us the Interceptor.

:lmao: Yeah American styling leads the world!
The current falcon is nearly 6 years old, a new falcon is due early next year.
Sorry to say Ford AUS currently has the best large RWD platform in the Ford world.
Ford AUS will be assisting Ford US with the 2012 all new RWD platform.
Like Holden has done for GM, funny how the smaller outposts are more accomplished...

 

Good. Keep that horrible aussie styling down under where it belongs. Give us an all-American chassis and styling and we will gladly wait a little longer.

 

It really doesn't help your (our) argument to just pick on something and bash GM. But then again, is fuel economy the biggest selling point on a large RWD sporty car?

It would appear that many were bashing Ford about incorrect decisions??
So i pointed to one of Holdens silly decisions for a world concerned about fuel consumption.

It would appear fuel economy is a selling point, both falcon and commodore have suffered sales declines due to fuel prices.
Why do you think Holden exports VEs, they have too and why Ford AUS is going to be assembling the focus locally from 2011.

 

It really doesn't help your (our) argument to just pick on something and bash GM. But then again, is fuel economy the biggest selling point on a large RWD sporty car?

Remember, mikesright, in Australia, these aren't considered sporty cars, although FPV and HSV versions get lots of attention! The majority of Aussie big sixes go to fleets, where fuel economy is important to penny-pinching fleet managers. And with the rest being sold primarily as family cars, fuel economy may in fact become an issue. The "Falcodore" is to the Australian market much what the "Camcord" market is to North America.

Oh for those Americans who may be unaware, in other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, "fleet" doesn't always equate to "rental car" like it does in America. In those countries, it's very common for employers to offer a company car as a perk, and the cars are typically bought by a company fleet manager, and they tend to stick to one model or one brand. About half all car sales in those countries fall into the "fleet" category. (I'm not sure about Oz, but it's over 50% in NZ, and 75% in SA, so I assume Australia's situation is similar).

 

The longer Ford does bs, the more consumers will flock to Camcords instead...

 

People we knew Orion was not going to be sold out of AU or even be exported to the US, but the next falcon 2011 "Huntsmen" that one is going to be ready for the US so before a lot of you talk about ford making a dumb move check some info first