Ford confirms global Falcon link

[jpd80]

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleD...f=2&IsPgd=0

The most senior executives in Ford Motor Company including president Alan Mulally have confirmed a key role for the company’s Australian division in the development of a new global rear-wheel drive architecture that will underpin Falcon and Territory as well as various North American vehicles.

 

Drive revealed Ford's rear-wheel-drive plan last year, although American bosses have stopped short of guaranteeing the local manufacture of Falcon once it moves from its unique Australian-developed current underpinnings to the new architecture early next decade.

 

“In the near term and the mid term we are very committed to Falcon that is clear,” said Ford’s global product development chief Derrik Kuzak at the Detroit auto show this week. “In the long term rear-wheel drive is in our plans. It is in our plans globally

 

“We are not ready to be announcing where we will be manufacturing the rear-wheel drive platform.”

 

Mulally also refused to be drawn on Falcon’s future once it is integrated into the global program: “I am not going to give you that headline,” he said.

 

Their reticence is understandable given the downward slide of large car sales Australia. Already Ford Australia has moved to shore up its local manufacturing viability by moving to an imported V6 engine for the new Falcon – codenamed Orion - from 2010 and commencing the manufacture of the Focus small car from 2011.

 

And Ford is hardly alone among local manufacturers in facing questions over its future. Mitsubishi’s Adelaide plant builds less than 20,000 380s per annum, while export is a key to the survival of both Holden and Toyota operations.

 

Less than 20 per cent of Australia’s record 1 million vehicle sales in 2007 were locally made. The result of an impending federal government review of automotive industry support looms as a potential long term determinant of which companies continue to build cars in Australia.

 

More immediately, Kuzak said he was unwilling to discuss Falcon’s long term future when the vital ‘Orion’ Falcon is only months from launch.

 

Mulally and Kuzak only confirmed to American motoring media last week that a new generation global rear-wheel drive architecture was part of Ford’s plans going forward.

 

A group of unrelated platforms underpin Ford’s small group of North American rear-wheel drive vehicles including the iconic Mustang performance car and aged Crown Victoria.

 

The plan is to merge them onto one modern modular architecture along with the Falcon’s (Orion’s) replacement. Because the architecture will be all-wheel drive capable, the locally-built Territory off-road-style wagon (SUV) will be based on it as well.

 

Rationalisation and integration of vehicle architectures on a global basis is a key part of Mulally’s revival plan for Ford, and the fundamental task he has entrusted Kuzak with.

 

Right now, Falcon’s engineering orphan status means it can only be built at the Broadmeadows plant in Melbourne. Product globalisation means a vehicle has the potential to be built in a number of locations.

 

Feasibly, a relatively small volume vehicle like Falcon could be based on a North American model, built there and shipped here.

 

Equally it could form the basis of a North American model, be built here and shipped there. Holden already does this, rebadging and tweaking the styling of the VE Commodore as a Pontiac G8.

 

“The manufacturing plant is what’s best aligned with where the volumes are at, where the logistics are best aligned and where our customers are at,” said Kuzak.

 

Holden is the designated homeroom within GM for the development of an affordable rear-wheel drive architecture tagged Zeta. This underpins the VE Commodore, but will also be used by the revived Chevrolet Corvette coupe and convertible due on-sale in North America from 2009, with several more models following.

 

Holden played a key role in adapting the Camaro to the Commodore’s architecture and refining it for production in North America. Camaro development mules have been seen on Australian roads for some time.

 

The Ford rear-wheel drive development program will be modeled along the same lines, with a designated centre of excellence responsible for the architecture and development of various bodystyles to go over the top.

 

Ford Australia is certainly in contention to pick up the job, its product development area having expanded dramatically and taken on a number of international projects in recent years. But it could also be assigned a supporting role, with North America leading. A final decision has yet to be made.

 

“As we integrate the resources one of the things we have to decide is who takes the lead on each of the platforms,” confirmed Mulally.

 

“Falcon is a fabulous vehicle and the design team and the engineering team in Australia have some of the best domain knowledge about larger vehicles especially rear-wheel drive.

“Clearly we are going to have another rear-wheel drive platform in the United States and you can imagine the collaboration we are going to have across the world together and Australia is going to play a very important part in Ford’s future going forward.”

 

We live in interesting times

Edited January 18, 2008 by jpd80

[SVT_MAN]

Do you think that Australia's hot temperatures and lack of snow (I don't know of anywhere in Aussie land that gets snow?) have to do with why Australians seem to desire building RWD vehicles so much? I love RWD vehicles, but in the Midwest and other regions that get hit with snow, they aren't always the most practical option (which is why my Mustang parks over the winter).

[jpd80]

Yes, it is a big factor in keeping RWD, we do get some snow but in a small region in the Southern States.

I'll agree with where you live but lots of places don't get snow and ice in winter - why should those markets be denied RWDs?

 

If Ford get this right, they'll eclipse GM by a whole product cycle.

 

The future I envision is a Falcon of similar size to Camry but a little wider and with RWD ecoboost I-4 and V6 engines.

Vehicles like that would have broad appeal and draw people back to Ford adding to the success of FWD cars - not replacing them.

Edited January 18, 2008 by jpd80

[ray101988]

Do you think that Australia's hot temperatures and lack of snow (I don't know of anywhere in Aussie land that gets snow?) have to do with why Australians seem to desire building RWD vehicles so much? I love RWD vehicles, but in the Midwest and other regions that get hit with snow, they aren't always the most practical option (which is why my Mustang parks over the winter).

 

I go to school with someone from Austrailia. They have mountains and some other places where it snows.

[Pioneer]

I love RWD vehicles, but in the Midwest and other regions that get hit with snow, they aren't always the most practical option (which is why my Mustang parks over the winter).

 

Because the architecture will be all-wheel drive capable, the locally-built Territory off-road-style wagon (SUV) will be based on it as well.

 

Can you imagine an all-wheel drive Mustang. :happy feet:

[soupy]

Didn't know Territory was rear-wheeler. So is Explorer-America more like Territory or D-3?

[J-150]

Can you imagine an all-wheel drive Mustang. :happy feet:

 

 

that would be a big "screw you" to the EVO and STI

[jpd80]

Didn't know Territory was rear-wheeler. So is Explorer-America more like Territory or D-3?

I think it was built on D3 but could end up on anything, a vehicle that size can go either way without weight penalty.

Territory looks a lot like your Freestyle and is available as a RWD and as AWD (has a torque splitting planetary transfer).

 

Engines are 253 hp 4.0 I-6 and 320 hp Turbo 4.0 I6.

Should go well with 3.5 Ecoboost.

Edited January 18, 2008 by jpd80

[papilgee4evaeva]

:reading: RWD with AWD available?

 

Hmm... what I've been driving, of sorts, for 8 years on my Pathfinder.

 

Works for me. :reading:

 

I wouldn't even be upset if only Lincoln and the Mustang got the architecture.

Edited January 18, 2008 by papilgee4evaeva

[jpd80]

:reading: RWD with AWD available?

 

Hmm... what I've been driving, of sorts, for 8 years on my Pathfinder.

 

Works for me. :reading:

 

I wouldn't even be upset if only Lincoln and the Mustang got the architecture.

I think your Pathfinder is BOF construction though according to Edmunds.

[papilgee4evaeva]

I think your Pathfinder is BOF construction though according to Edmunds.

 

The second generation (I have a '96, the beginning of that generation) was unibody construction.

[rmc523]

Didn't know Territory was rear-wheeler. So is Explorer-America more like Territory or D-3?

 

I believe it is D3, but I was wondering if maybe the Explorer would be put on this new RWD platform along with the other new products.

[jpd80]

I believe it is D3, but I was wondering if maybe the Explorer would be put on this new RWD platform along with the other new products.

Funny thing concepts.

Depends what they want to do with it, a vehicle that size can be built either way.

[rmc523]

Funny thing concepts.

Depends what they want to do with it, a vehicle that size can be built either way.

 

That's true. Aren't they themselves unsure as to which platform to put it on?

[jpd80]

That's true. Aren't they themselves unsure as to which platform to put it on?

Remember, Horbury said it's another feeler concept

[RichardJensen]

Of course, on the whole Aussies love RWD thing...

 

Toyota is the number one brand in Oz. Not Ford. Not GM.

 

One might, I suppose, argue that GM & Ford shot each other in the foot by paying too much attention to what the other was doing, and not enough to what they market was doing.

[jpd80]

Of course, on the whole Aussies love RWD thing...

 

Toyota is the number one brand in Oz. Not Ford. Not GM.

 

One might, I suppose, argue that GM & Ford shot each other in the foot by paying too much attention to what the other was doing, and not enough to what they market was doing.

Richard,

Sales of Mondeo, Focus, Fiesta and Thai Ranger are about 25-33% of Toyota counterparts

and aren't in the hunt, something is terribly wrong - maybe poor marketing.

Mondeo only restarted Aussie sales in late November after being absent since 2001.

 

For some reason, people prefer the Mazda 3 and it outsells the Focus by at least 3 to 1.

I'd even settle for a rebadged Mazda 3 as a Ford Laser - could be a future strategy as it would

enable Australia to manufacture both C2 cars locally (only my thought).

 

Commodore is still the top selling car in Australia, over 60,000 sales, 10,000 being 6.0 litre V8s!

The only reason Falcon isn't No.2 is that it's way overdue for replacement by about 18 months.

Ford AUS does well on the back of a fresh Falcon - always has. I believe this will also buoy

the 4 cylinder sales, especially if they market the new Verve.

 

Governments give preference to buying locally produced cars, putting Focus in the box seat

when local production of C2 starts in 2011, Ford AUS is set to reinvent itself as a company selling

fuel efficient 4 cylinder vehicles instead of being the "Falcon Motor Company".

Edited January 18, 2008 by jpd80

[soupy]

Funny thing concepts.

Depends what they want to do with it, a vehicle that size can be built either way.

 

Would the towing capacity be the same on uni-body RWD (territory), as uni-body FWD (D3) ? Gas mileage?

[jpd80]

Would the towing capacity be the same on uni-body RWD (territory), as uni-body FWD (D3) ? Gas mileage?

Towing capacity for Falcon and Territory - 5,000 lb.

Not sure what your D3 is but probably less.

 

Territory weighs between 4400 and 4600 lb Gas mileage is

about the same as Freestyle, Taurus X and CX-9.

At that size of vehicle, fuel economy becomes a function of weight.

Edited January 18, 2008 by jpd80

[akirby]

Sure sounds like the next Explorer will be Unibody, RWD with optional AWD with a 5000 lb towing capacity. Sounds perfect to me. If you're towing more than 5K you should be in an Expedition anyway.

[J-150]

:reading: RWD with AWD available?

 

Hmm... what I've been driving, of sorts, for 8 years on my Pathfinder.

 

 

uh, no.

 

if you don't know the difference between AWD and 4WD, do more listening and less talking.

[papilgee4evaeva]

uh, no.

 

if you don't know the difference between AWD and 4WD, do more listening and less talking.

 

I do know the difference, sir.

 

Now back to the regularly scheduled program...

[soupy]

Sure sounds like the next Explorer will be Unibody, RWD with optional AWD with a 5000 lb towing capacity. Sounds perfect to me. If you're towing more than 5K you should be in an Expedition anyway.

 

A package like that would be very marketable. Have seen Territory at Liv. Trans. Looks are good and seems to give a capable impression.

So Explorer, Mustang, Panther replacement and Aussie rear-wheelers all on new Falcon platform; makes alot of sense. Isn't that what Mullaly was brought here to do? Make some sense out of global FMC!

[jpd80]

A package like that would be very marketable. Have seen Territory at Liv. Trans. Looks are good and seems to give a capable impression.

So Explorer, Mustang, Panther replacement and Aussie rear-wheelers all on new Falcon platform; makes alot of sense. Isn't that what Mullaly was brought here to do? Make some sense out of global FMC!

Ford Australia actually developed the Territory in 2003 as a local replacement for the Explorer.

In uniting the Falcon, Territory and Mustang under one platform, moving to common powertrains,

suspensions and electrical systems is the key. Folding metal is considered unique to the derivative.

 

The big push is to corporatise the Falcon/Territory and remove the quirky stuff like the Inline 6

that's perculiar to Australia. This year, the new Falcon's building process changes to align closer

to the NA Mustang with the use of single side pressings. The new stamping press at Geelong can

do single side pressings for Falcon sedan, station wagon, Utility, Territory and C2 Focus (2011).

The stamping dyes can be changed over in 4 minutes flat!!! (Right hand Drive Mustang?)

 

As the Falcon/Territory platform migrates in that direction, I'd expect that the Mustang would

begin to adopt the excellent Falcon front and rear suspension modules. This would be a super

cheap way to pick up state of the art IRS and Virtual Pivot front suspension for even better handling.

 

The final changes would be electrical systems and a common floorpan and frame - something

everyone can use. I would see this as the New 2012MY platform, even though intermediate

designs between then and now will have striking similarities.

 

Evolving separate vehicles onto a common platform?

Sounds like a plan to me.

[J-150]

I do know the difference, sir.

 

Now back to the regularly scheduled program...

 

 

so you agree that an AWD Mustang would be nothing like a Pathfinder.