jpd80

Not buying stock, I was thinking more along supplier level alliance, they probably already have agreements in place at supplier levels. That's about as far as any of that would ever go - thankfully.

Exactly, the only thing is to convince management...... It's a bit like a Lincoln sports coupe based on the Mustang, everyone goes HUH?

Even though they're excluded, I think there will be a big push to buy more fuel efficient vehicles. 4,100 lb V8 powered CVs may be out of flavor with green awareness governments.

And we might just get something a bit lighter and more akin to a large mid size sedan too. works for me buddy.

Like anyone else, they're able to buy stock any time, so what's stopping them? Answer: not interested.

What makes a RWD Platform viable? An Aussie visa, that the only way you're ever gonna see another one...............

But maybe with a better company like Ford, I can see Waggoner going shit, shit, shit

I also find it interesting that the C1 Focus has the I-5 turbo and theoretically, the SI-6 is shorter. With a much bigger vehicle like Taurus, you'd think another old relic I-6 from the past would fit. Here's one for you, what if FoA were looking at turning the I-6 sideways? With the advent of EPASS and electric A/C not much accessory drive would be needed. unlike a V engine, an I-6 can be longer and sit forward of the inner guard.

Would it not be easier to build a smaller D3 and revisit what Volvo was doing with the original P2? I'm thinking we've only ever seen full sized Taurus and large CUVs, why couldn't a Mid sizer be done?

You're thinking Freestyle - that was a copy of the Territory, FOA's CUV was approved and released before it. In 2000, when Geoff Polites strode to Dearborn with the Territory model under his wing, he didn't know how it would be received. To a man, everyone in the room stood and applauded.

Just had a thought, Mondeo is a very roomy but underpowered large mid sized vehicle, one suitably modified to accept AWD and a Duratec V6 might be a simple engineering answer. Powered Control Blade IRS from the Falcon is the same tread width and might just fit..... Could this be the vehicle that replaces Falcon and Crown Victoria......

I'm hoping a new super FWD/AWD platform covers everything above the C2 platform, there would be great advantage in having CD3/EUCD/D3 all merged - tremendous flexibility there!!!

Ford Australia - territory gets an all new top hat this time next year in AUS. A good way of making a set-in-stone decision look flexible.

A FWD/AWD variant co-developed between FNA and FoA to suit the two markets seems more likely. That way the costs are amortiszed over quite a lot of vehicles. Using a different top hat would help to preserve the retail standing of the Taurus and the police cruisers look like a different car.

Here's the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Look at the interior space of the Panther - it is the same as the Falcon a car that has long been used down under as both a Taxi and police vehicle, so either: 1. Redevelop STAP to build LHD Falcons for Police Departments or import them from Australia OR...... 2. Develop a new FWD/AWD vehicle that slots between Fusion and Taurus, preferably on EUCD2 The vehicle could be sold to Nth American police departments with FWD / AWD 3.7 V6 and civilian versions offered to Australia for development in to a Falcon replacement. Co-development of such a vehicle makes it a cheap proposition and could be under way in no time flat. This would provide FoA with unique wheelbase versions to suit it's own market and possibly for a Middle Eastern or Asian export contract. Australia might then come on board with a Teritory replacement on EUCD2 as well returning engineering to Nth America and FoE.

all too expensive for the models you quote, that's why Ford didn't do them.

Ah, that's where I was getting confused! Ecoboost calibrations depends on location - leaner in Europe Vs. richer in Nth America.

GM's Chinese partner, SAIC makes Buick Park Avenue in China..... There's a good article on Wikipedia - LINK

For a global platform, the roll out of Zeta products was way too slow and events over ran its release. Design started in 2002, Holden released VE Commodore mid 2006 in AUS, still waiting for Camaro.........

Controlling core parts is one thing but a lot of other parts are also made by suppliers who do business with Ford, GM, Chrysler and Toyota in varying combinations, that is why the likes of Ford and Toyota don't want to see GM and Chrysler go bankrupt. My original response was to the question of having all parts produced at the one plant (Rouge) It no longer makes economical sense to makes economic sense to do that, Do you agree, YES or NO? The economics of modern cars means that a revisiting of Rouge one shop is impossible due to stiff competition from transplanted brands, Do you agree, YES or NO?

I wonder if those people see the C concept as an up market version of the Mini Cooper. There could be an interesting and profitable little niche market there......

That's why the 1.6 EB is being made and launched in Europe first up, the it has an immediate tax advantage over the larger engines by offering lower CO2 emissions. FoE is hoping the EBs help balance out petrol Vs diesel production numbers by offering buyers diesel like fuel economy but with more horsepower. While the 1.6 EB could replace the 2.5 I-4 in the Fusion, I think it might be a hard sell. It could really put the Fusion hybrid over the top with remarkable fuel economy.

Don't forget that GM committed to Zeta in 2002 so much has changed since then and the on / off /on again delays did little allaying the fears of media and GM officials. Zeta is far from a failure as the majority of the cost was born by Holden for the Aussie VE Commodore. Holden produce over 120,000/yr locally and export 45,000 to the Middle East and USA. On top of that, China produces a Domestic Long wheelbase Zeta called the Buick Park Avenue. and then there's the Camaro, we will see about that one......