Falcon in the U.S.

[my gt]

hi guys saw this in a u.s..mag.

Ford is evaluating the Australian Falcon for sale here in the US. However, squashing rumors from the start, Ford will not likely be importing the Falcon from Australia. Australia's car market makes up just over a half a percent of the world's car market. With the first three months of Falcons sold before production even started, and the Falcon line quickly becoming a success on the market, Ford's plant will be operating at capacity just to keep the Australian market supplied. But don't think that Ford isn't interested in making a version of the Falcon or Fairmont here. Ford commissioned a study late last year, and this past spring was examining a business case for US production. Everyone from J. Mays to CEO Bill Ford himself spent quality time with an Australian Fairmont Ghia V-8 brought over for evaluation, and possibly other versions of the newly released "BA" chassis as well. Ford is interested in developing a common car for both here and the land down under, and it's possible the Mustang's modified DEW chassis will be underneath them.

[Paxton]

If we can be promised that the BF Falcon and Orion for that matter won't look any different that a normal Australian design, and not like the Taurus/FiveHundred, than I am more than happy to have our humble Falcon on the road in the states. At-least when I go over there for work, I would be able to hire a car that resembles what I have over here, and not a Taurus.

The only problem is RHD/LHD on the same chassis. We have a great setup, because there are no compromises with a Half Length Firewall (Read Commodore) and our steering is set up for RHD. The US Falcon would not work if these conditions were not met. I will anticipate hearing something about it in Wheels if anything eventuates.


-Andrew

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by my gt

hi guys saw this in a u.s..mag.

You would have to wonder what Ford US would "impose" on a Falcon if they had the opportunity. They have done it to the European based Fords, they decided to make in America and produced a poorer car for it. The US influence over the AU was a disaster for Ford Aus as well.

GMH and the Monaro is another example. The local car suddenly lost half of its boot space to meet US requirements and local buyers got the GT bonnet, with no option to stick with the Monaro/Commodore one. Take it or leave it was the message to local Monaro buyers.

Given our low production rates, I could see Ford US forcing changes to the Falcon locally, that would be unacceptable to this market and then wondering why Ford Aus cant sell cars.

Mustang aside, they build some pretty horrible looking machinery.

Daniel

[Raptor]

Keep it local, keep it safe