RE: Ford Falcon Wagon Axed. Saloon On Borrowed Time?
Thursday 1st April 2010
In a major blow for global model diversity, the faithful Aussie Ford Falcon Wagon is to be phased out, to be replaced by the Mondeo estate.
Ford Falcon Wagon Axed. Saloon On Borrowed Time?
Mondeo estate to replace iconic Aussie family car
The rugged rear-wheel drive load-lugger will bite the bullet in June - strangely enough just a few months before the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Aussie Falcon.
"It's time to retire the Falcon wagon," Ford Australia's president and CEO Marin Burela said. "We have moved on."
The move had been on the cards for some time, however - instead of using the latest 'FG' Falcon, Ford Australia decided to tweak an older version.
The death of the Falcon Wagon means Ford Australia is going to have to work harder than ever to justify its home-grown products to prevent a European product invasion - because if the Falcon Wagon gets the chop, how long before the Ute and saloon follow suit?
Then it's a bad day for motoring enthusiasts worldwide - because the thought of something like a Mondeo replacing the thundering Falcon in the V8 Aussie Supercars touring car is the next station along the line for that train of thought. And that is surely near-unthinkable...
Discussion
They have agreed to change the regs for Aussie V8 Supercars. They are allowing non-Aussie cars into the series, allowing front wheel drive, allowing independent rear suspension.
V8 Supercars will soon be dead, it will become a shadow of it's former self.
If Ford Australia decide to enter a Mondeo saloon when the regs change, it could open doors for more Ford involvement in Touring Car racing internationally.
V8 Supercars will soon be dead, it will become a shadow of it's former self.
If Ford Australia decide to enter a Mondeo saloon when the regs change, it could open doors for more Ford involvement in Touring Car racing internationally.
qube_TA said:
always fancied a go in a Falcon, but they don't seem to exist outside of Oz. Be interesting to see how they fair against the Monaro
I drove a Commodore up the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Darwin, then rented a Falcon XR6 whilst in Cairns. The Commodore was a great wafter and could certainly shift but the XR6 was completely different, tauter and decently quick. I'd certainly have one if I went to OZ, especially one of the FPV versions. They may not be as modern as a Mondeo but they certainly have a bootful of Aussie character.
This isn't quite as it seems. The Falcon wagon was never updated when the range was replaced for 2008 so it remained the old model. When I was over there in the Summer I saw hardly any Falcon and Commodore wagons, it seems the Aussies just dont like Wagons, hence Ford not bothering to produce the new model as a wagon.
Most Falcons and Commodores are sold as saloons or utes. I doubt either are going anywhere either time soon judging by the sheer volumes on the roads out there.
Most Falcons and Commodores are sold as saloons or utes. I doubt either are going anywhere either time soon judging by the sheer volumes on the roads out there.
OK, this is pretty poor research.
The Falcon wagon was pretty much replaced by the Ford Territory a few years back which is essentially a Falcon estate soft roader available in either 4wd or man-wheel drive.
Now would the media kindly stop reporting the supposed death of the Falcon and do something useful like looking at the massive losses Holden is making!!
The Falcon wagon was pretty much replaced by the Ford Territory a few years back which is essentially a Falcon estate soft roader available in either 4wd or man-wheel drive.
Now would the media kindly stop reporting the supposed death of the Falcon and do something useful like looking at the massive losses Holden is making!!
"How long till the Ute follows suite?"
NEVER.
An Ute is as Australian as a Kangaroo. Sure you can retire the Ford but the Ute will forever remain an Aussy icon of madness to the speed kills mantra which has overtaken. There's nothing sensible about an Ute, it's just a builders pickup with a chuffing great V8 under bonnet but with Bathurst racing pedigree (much like the Falcon).
Looks like the Ute will have no competition now.. Ford, what were you thinking?
NEVER.An Ute is as Australian as a Kangaroo. Sure you can retire the Ford but the Ute will forever remain an Aussy icon of madness to the speed kills mantra which has overtaken. There's nothing sensible about an Ute, it's just a builders pickup with a chuffing great V8 under bonnet but with Bathurst racing pedigree (much like the Falcon).
Looks like the Ute will have no competition now.. Ford, what were you thinking?
They will never kill the Ford UTE. As much as I am a petrol headed, speed loving, B road bomber- I have a huge soft spot for the Falcon UTE.
I drove over 20,000km around Australia in a 3 speed manual, bench seat, canvas back, tinted windowed, axe-murdering look, Falcon UTE. Never once did it miss a beat from -5 to +45 degrees. OK, so when the sump screw fell out crossing the Nullarbor is was in a wee bit of trouble, lost a few tyre treds on my remoulds (!) and the radiator had more eggs in it than an English fry-up, but I loved that car.
Then there was the horrific gas mileage, the gearbox that exploded, the nasty 3 speed 'on the tree' manual, the slightly warped aluminium head, the dodgy compression in the 3rd cylinder, the vinyl seats that practically gave me 3rd degree burns...every day, the lack of any functioning handbrake, the pathetic aircon that couldn't cool the air inside an carton of iced coffee, the speedo' that got stuck between 50-70, the top speed of around 70mph...downhill, the huge sun visor which blocked and view of up-coming road signs, the complete lack of weight over the rear axle which meant every time it rained I would get stuck...
And you know what? I loved that car. It had real character and I wouldn't swap it for a Mondeo if...oh, well, actually I probably would. Still, you gotta love the UTE's
I can safely say that if i'd done my trip in any other vehicle, it wouldn't have been half as much fun!
I drove over 20,000km around Australia in a 3 speed manual, bench seat, canvas back, tinted windowed, axe-murdering look, Falcon UTE. Never once did it miss a beat from -5 to +45 degrees. OK, so when the sump screw fell out crossing the Nullarbor is was in a wee bit of trouble, lost a few tyre treds on my remoulds (!) and the radiator had more eggs in it than an English fry-up, but I loved that car.
Then there was the horrific gas mileage, the gearbox that exploded, the nasty 3 speed 'on the tree' manual, the slightly warped aluminium head, the dodgy compression in the 3rd cylinder, the vinyl seats that practically gave me 3rd degree burns...every day, the lack of any functioning handbrake, the pathetic aircon that couldn't cool the air inside an carton of iced coffee, the speedo' that got stuck between 50-70, the top speed of around 70mph...downhill, the huge sun visor which blocked and view of up-coming road signs, the complete lack of weight over the rear axle which meant every time it rained I would get stuck...
And you know what? I loved that car. It had real character and I wouldn't swap it for a Mondeo if...oh, well, actually I probably would. Still, you gotta love the UTE's
I can safely say that if i'd done my trip in any other vehicle, it wouldn't have been half as much fun!Edited by carsnapper on Thursday 1st April 23:35
I really hope the Falcon stays. I'm at a loss why they will axe it as they are a very common sight here and have always been popular. Why do we have to have the same product over the entire world? It will invariably be stunningly bland so as to appeal to every market. Oh and here's the FPV. Win!
Always fancied one myself so should be getting a wagon within the next few months (albeit an older one)
Always fancied one myself so should be getting a wagon within the next few months (albeit an older one)
Couldn't really give a toss about the Holden or the Ford.
Not after the Aussies sulked when Godzilla won at Bathurst, booed Jimmy Richards when he accepted the cup on the podium.
Then they limited Bathurst to Ford or Holden V8's only.
And what are they doing now that their Neolithic cars are no longer viable (just like their American cousins)
They are now going to accept alternative V8s at Bathurst
Hmmm either the Ford or Holden V8 is destined for the grave.
Oh dear, how sad, never mind. Hopefully it will be the Ford, as it is an archaic POS
Not after the Aussies sulked when Godzilla won at Bathurst, booed Jimmy Richards when he accepted the cup on the podium.
Then they limited Bathurst to Ford or Holden V8's only.
And what are they doing now that their Neolithic cars are no longer viable (just like their American cousins)
They are now going to accept alternative V8s at Bathurst
Hmmm either the Ford or Holden V8 is destined for the grave.
Oh dear, how sad, never mind. Hopefully it will be the Ford, as it is an archaic POS
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