Ford to renew push for Falcon exports

[jpd80]

LINK

 

Sounds like Kuzak is coming to Australia for the launch of the FG Falcon.

Bill Osbourne meets with him on 1st May to discuss export contracts for Australia:

1. 2011 Focus in Right and Left Hand Drive

2. FG FAlcon to more Right Hand Drive countries - South Africa and United Kingdom.

3. Funding for Left Hand Drive FG Falcon (2010 Series 2 with V6 and Ecoboost engines)

 

 

Let the games begin......

 

He added that Ford Australia was also looking to the FG Falcon for more export opportunities, even without the approval of a LHD program.

 

“Right now we have no capability to drive a left-hand drive car, however that ultimately doesn’t mean that we couldn’t export,” he said.

 

“There are still some right-hand drive markets around the world that we could potentially export to.”

 

Mr Osborne would not specify which right-hand drive markets the company would target, saying only that it would look at “a variety” of countries. GoAuto believes South Africa and England are on the list.

 

The additional sales in such markets could be valuable, but Mr Osborne admits there would be a limit to the volumes.

 

“If we wanted to export in larger volumes we would need to invest in a left-hand drive version,” he said.

 

Mr Osborne said the new Falcon export plans were not far advanced, but were progressing.

 

“We are at the strategy stage. We haven’t put together a market equation yet to determine volumes – that is a bit further down the road,” he said.

 

“Part of what we are going to do, once we complete the launch, will be to ship a few vehicles back to the US for evaluation by the product development team.”

Edited April 10, 2008 by jpd80

[battyr]

LINK

 

Sounds like Kuzak is coming to Australia for the launch of the FG Falcon.

Bill Osbourne meets with him on 1st May to discuss export contracts for Australia:

1. 2011 Focus in Right and Left Hand Drive

2. FG FAlcon to more Right Hand Drive countries - South Africa and United Kingdom.

3. Funding for Left Hand Drive FG Falcon (2010 Series 2 with V6 and Ecoboost engines)

 

 

Let the games begin......

 

Exporting the Falcon to the UK is very important. We know Ford can sell large RWD cars in the US. If the Falcon sells in the UK. Ford can learn from those sales and build the GRWD to sell in Europe.

 

I can't see building a left hand drive Falcon, when the GRWD is in the works. Australia wants to build left hand drive Falcons now so when the GRWD platform comes out they will have the right to build both right and left hand versions for the Asian market. They don't want a left hand and right hand mustang built in the US to be exported to their part of the world. They will build it.

[Ford-150]

Exporting the Falcon to the UK is very important. We know Ford can sell large RWD cars in the US. If the Falcon sells in the UK. Ford can learn from those sales and build the GRWD to sell in Europe.

 

I can't see building a left hand drive Falcon, when the GRWD is in the works. Australia wants to build left hand drive Falcons now so when the GRWD platform comes out they will have the right to build both right and left hand versions for the Asian market. They don't want a left hand and right hand mustang built in the US to be exported to their part of the world. They will build it.

well then i hope the new GRWD is better than the already great FG Falcon

[ray101988]

Stupid question---What does GRWD stand for?

Thanks

[NickF1011]

Stupid question---What does GRWD stand for?

Thanks

 

Global Rear Wheel Drive, similar to what GM's Zeta is supposed to be.

[Ford-150]

Global Rear Wheel Drive, similar to what GM's Zeta is supposed to be.

keyword

[NickF1011]

keyword

 

Yeah, I chose my wording carefully and purposefully.

[jpd80]

The Falcon is a case of so near yet so far.

Bill Osbourne so impressed with the FG Falcon and yet, no Left hand Drive version developed?

 

Right Hand Drive car is here, ready to go but the engine doesn't meet Euro IV.

That's why we get the V6 and why exports to Europe with this model won't happen.

Everything hinges around adaptation to the V6 and Ecoboost engines , 2010 at the earliest.

[battyr]

well then i hope the new GRWD is better than the already great FG Falcon

 

I understand that Ford USA will be working with Ford Australia to develop the GRWD. Australia was to be responsible to develop the Falcons suspension to work on the GRWD. The engine, transmission, internal parts like motors and electrical will be from a global parts bin. Good or bad, Australia would have to put all these same parts in a future Falcon anyway. The Falcon now uses Fords global styling as found on the Mondeo. The GRWD and future Falcon will have used the same future global styling. I hope they keep the interior, it looks great.

 

I think the big difference with be with the body structure. Ford wants a flexible platform so that several different cars can be built in the same plant with the same parts. They will also want a more modern body structure that is stronger, lighter, cheaper, and best in class in crash tests.

 

I can see Australia making Falcons, Mustangs, and several other vehicles in right hand drive, all off the same plantform in the same plant. The US will make Crown Vics, Mustangs and several other vehicles with left hand drive. The Explorer and Australia's Territory will likely become the same vehicle off this platform as well. The good thing for Australia is that they can have more variety in the number of cars they sell with lower cost from the scale of production. The US benefits from finally having up to date world class RWD products.

 

On the other hand, the 2 groups could fight with each other, all the good parts of the Falcon gets redesigned to cut cost, and the car ends up being shit.

[jpd80]

Bill Osbourne will learn that this engine series doesn't meet Euro IV so exports to England are out of the question.

By the time Series 2 FG arrives in 2010, the GRWD will be well advanced so exporting the existing RHD car will be untenable.

 

This is why we need to wait for the GRWD platform, to prevent regional shortcomings hindering potential export plans.

[jpd80]

Looks like China and the Middle East for Falcon Exports after 2010:

 

The only way Kuzak would approve this export plan is if the FG Falcon Evolution is the GRWD - Watch this space.....

 

Ford aims new FG Falcon at China and Middle East

Bruce Newton, drive.com.au, April 11, 2008

 

Crucial May meeting could trigger new Ford FG Falcon export plans.

 

The Ford Falcon could be headed for export markets if new boss Bill Osborne has his way

Ford's new Falcon could be headed for China and the Middle East if a renewed export bid gets the green light.

 

And the Ford Territory SUV could follow the new FG Falcon overseas if recently appointed Ford Australia president Bill Osborne succeeds with a plan to engineer all locally-manufactured Fords for export.

 

The first significant step for Osborne is a presentation he will make to Ford’s global product development chief Derrick Kuzak when he visits Melbourne to sample the new FG Falcon early in May, 2008 – around the time the new Falcon goes on sale.

 

The first significant step for Osborne is a presentation he will make to Ford’s global product development chief Derrick Kuzak when he visits Melbourne to sample the new FG Falcon early in May, 2008 – around the time the new Falcon goes on sale.

 

Osborne needs Kuzak’s backing and Detroit’s funding to engineer the new Falcon for the lucrative Middle-East and Chinese markets, which are both left-hand drive.

 

“We have a study underway and we will be discussing it in some detail with Derrick Kuzak at the beginning of May,” said Osborne. “We think it is a great time to reopen that (export) option.

 

“Middle East is one option and the large car market in China is fairly robust. I think it is a half-million (sales) segment and that’s half the entire annual Australian industry. So I think selling a few in China would be one of my working assumptions.”

 

Toyota already exports to the Middle East, as does Holden, which also sends variants of the VE Commodore to the UK, China and the USA.

 

However, Osborne expressed less interest in sending FG to the USA because Ford Australia’s Broadmeadows plant could only supply in extremely limited numbers.

 

If Osborne gains approval, an export program would not commence before 2010. This is because of the significant engineering effort required, which also must take into account the change to a new imported V6.

 

Much of the Falcon engineering work would also be relevant to Territory, making it suitable for left-hand drive export. The two vehicles share the same fundamental architecture and powertrains.

 

“I’d like to see Falcon and Territory in a variety of markets,” Osborne said. “That is the strategy I would advocate for Australia.”

 

Osborne would not put a specific sales target on the export program, only saying a figure beyond 20,000 cars annually would make a strong business case.

 

Osborne’s pitch is the latest chapter in the on-again off-again saga that has been Ford’s export plans for Falcon ever since the BA Falcon generation was launched back in 2002.

 

Most recently, federal and State government backing for a Falcon left-hand drive program was announced in 2006. But that fell over last year when the funding was diverted into the manufacture of the Focus small car from 2011.

 

That car will be engineered for right and left-hand drive and will be exported to the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Osborne said it was imperative for the future of Ford as a manufacturer in Australia that it became an exporter.

 

“To me the best strategy for manufacturing in Australia would be whatever you build, do them in left and right-hand drive and build multiple products in the same plant.”

Edited April 11, 2008 by jpd80

[Ford Jellymoulds]

Bill Osbourne will learn that this engine series doesn't meet Euro IV so exports to England are out of the question.

By the time Series 2 FG arrives in 2010, the GRWD will be well advanced so exporting the existing RHD car will be untenable.

 

This is why we need to wait for the GRWD platform, to prevent regional shortcomings hindering potential export plans.

 

What a shame the Falcon won't be coming to to the UK, l thought EU Co2 120g laws would bugger it up in 2012, you need to adapt one of those econetic diesel engines to bypass EU law then the Falcon might stand a very good chance of selling in big numbers in Europe JDP, otherwise you will only get loaded with big EU Co2 fines added to the final price of the Falcon.

Edited April 11, 2008 by Ford Jellymoulds

[jpd80]

TDi slated for Falcon and Territory in 2010 - won't say what size but money is on PAG V6.

 

Might be easier to remove afew politicians...

 

I just saw a show about the early Saxons and the "night of the long knives".

Edited April 11, 2008 by jpd80

[Ford Jellymoulds]

TDi slated for Falcon and Territory in 2010 - won't say what size but money is on PAG V6.

 

Might be easier to remove afew politicians...

 

I just saw a show about the early Saxons and the "night of the long knives".

 

1.6 TDI 4 pot is as big as it gets. If you know what the Co2 is on the Falcon is you can work out the fine Ford will have to pay on every Falcon it sells in the EU. For every gramme of CO2 above 120g per kilometre Ford will pay 95 Euro fine on each car sold.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7151862.stm

 

http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/informati...bles.asp#petrol

Edited April 11, 2008 by Ford Jellymoulds

[jpd80]

Here you go, Taxes for cars above 120g/klm:

 

Falcon Standard 4.0 is 240g/klm = USD$18,000

 

Falcon Turbo 6 is 300g/klm = USD$27,000

 

Falcon 5.4 V8 is 340g/klm = USD$33,000

 

Ford Jellymoulds,

I know you love England but seriously,

 

Bollocks!!!!!!

[LincolnFan]

So are they serious this time? Another question, is the Falcon cheaper than the Commodore? The Commodore here is too ridiculously expensive, 35K USD (sorry I don't know the exchange rate between Saudi and Australia). What's the price on the XR6T models?

[Ford-150]

Here you go, Taxes for cars above 120g/klm:

 

Falcon Standard 4.0 is 240g/klm = USD$18,000

 

Falcon Turbo 6 is 300g/klm = USD$27,000

 

Falcon 5.4 V8 is 340g/klm = USD$33,000

 

Ford Jellymoulds,

I know you love England but seriously,

 

Bollocks!!!!!!

so the XR6T would be 27k in the US(approximately) when the Mustang GT is around the same price

 

now i see a problem....i believe it would cut into Mustang GT sales...

[jpd80]

No, that's projected CO2 tax penalties on top of retail for Falcons in the UK!!!!!

 

 

The only thing that doesn't get the tax reamed out of it there is a 1.6 TDi Focus.

 

Be glad you live in The North America or Australia !!!!!!!

 

Relax:

FYI,

XR6T and XR8 are the same price as Holden SS Commodore - your Pontiac G8 GT.

About the same as a Lincoln MKZ - I know which type I'd rather have and it ain't the FWD jobby!!!

Edited April 11, 2008 by jpd80

[battyr]

Here you go, Taxes for cars above 120g/klm:

 

Falcon Standard 4.0 is 240g/klm = USD$18,000

 

Falcon Turbo 6 is 300g/klm = USD$27,000

 

Falcon 5.4 V8 is 340g/klm = USD$33,000

 

Ford Jellymoulds,

I know you love England but seriously,

 

Bollocks!!!!!!

 

So the first Falcon to be exported to the UK will be a Diesel puggin hybride buring E-100.

[battyr]

Here you go, Taxes for cars above 120g/klm:

 

Falcon Standard 4.0 is 240g/klm = USD$18,000

 

Falcon Turbo 6 is 300g/klm = USD$27,000

 

Falcon 5.4 V8 is 340g/klm = USD$33,000

 

Ford Jellymoulds,

I know you love England but seriously,

 

Bollocks!!!!!!

 

If the US had these taxes they would have: 0 National Debt. 0 Imported oil. Be in another Civil War.

 

The Peoples Republic of Canada may invade the US to get their hands on the TAX money.

[battyr]

No, that's projected CO2 tax penalties on top of retail for Falcons in the UK!!!!!

 

 

The only thing that doesn't get the tax reamed out of it there is a 1.6 TDi Focus.

 

Be glad you live in The North America or Australia !!!!!!!

 

Relax:

FYI,

XR6T and XR8 are the same price as Holden SS Commodore - your Pontiac G8 GT.

About the same as a Lincoln MKZ - I know which type I'd rather have and it ain't the FWD jobby!!!

 

Now you know he real reason that Ford sold Jaguar.

[old_fairmont_wagon]

1.6 TDI 4 pot is as big as it gets. If you know what the Co2 is on the Falcon is you can work out the fine Ford will have to pay on every Falcon it sells in the EU. For every gramme of CO2 above 120g per kilometre Ford will pay 95 Euro fine on each car sold.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7151862.stm

 

http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/informati...bles.asp#petrol

 

I would think that the Diesel V6 in the new Jag XF (euro) as recently reviewed on Edmunds.com would be an excellent fit for the Falcon and also substantially reduce the tax burdone on the vehicle.

[Ford Jellymoulds]

No, that's projected CO2 tax penalties on top of retail for Falcons in the UK!!!!!

 

 

The only thing that doesn't get the tax reamed out of it there is a 1.6 TDi Focus.

 

Be glad you live in The North America or Australia !!!!!!!

 

Relax:

FYI,

XR6T and XR8 are the same price as Holden SS Commodore - your Pontiac G8 GT.

About the same as a Lincoln MKZ - I know which type I'd rather have and it ain't the FWD jobby!!!

 

More good news for you JPD, the Poms are coming to Auss in droves.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml.../15/nemi115.xml

 

[jpd80]

Ford Jellymoulds,

I found this from 13th March, 2008

Car tax in UK reclassified on carbon dioxide emissions

Motorists in Britain will have to pay a vehicle licencing charge for their cars based on

carbon dioxide emissions from April, even though the tax is supposed to be for the cost

of road maintenance.

 

Announcing the plan in the country's annual budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer

Alistair Darling said that it was to encourage the use of less polluting cars in a bid to

tackle climate change.

 

Under the scheme, the most polluting vehicles, like the Land Rover Sport, face an

annual £ 950 ($ 1,900) "showroom" tax that will come into effect from April 2010

for emitting more than 255g of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

 

Transport in the UK is the second-largest source of carbon dioxide emissions,

accounting for 28% of all emissions, but tax specialists are skeptical whether the new

measures will have any real effect and suggest it is a smokescreen for raising revenue.

 

Daniel Lyons at Deloitte told the BBC that imposing higher taxes on the most polluting

cars would make little difference in changing consumer behaviour because the levy was

not high enough.

 

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders was also critical of the plan, saying that

the introduction, changing from the size of the engine, was a retrograde step being effectively

another sales tax.

 

The initial reclassification from next month is seven levels of carbon dioxide emissions rising to

13 next year, but only covers cars at first manufactured after 2001.

Edited April 12, 2008 by jpd80

[Ford Jellymoulds]

Ford Jellymoulds,

I found this from 13th March, 2008

 

Showroom tax is for the buyer to pay from the UK government if your car has CO2 below 130 grammes/km you pay no showroom tax , EU Co2 fine is for the manufacturers to pay from the EU for building cars with high CO2, two different extra costs for the future.

 

You also don't have to pay $51 a day to drive in Londons Congestion Zone its free if the CO2 is under 120 grammes/km, its also free for hybrids like the big Lexus to drive in London, this charge looks like it will be spreading to other big towns in the UK.

http://motortorque.askaprice.com/articles/...tion-charge.asp

 

London Mayor Ken Livingstone is also looking to introduce a 20 MPH speed limit across the Greater London in the future, so the Falcon would be wasted here JPD.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/art...ndon/article.do

 

Ford will be pushing the Focus ECOnetic 54 US MPG diesel, just one of a series of diesel-engined with low CO2, These all use familiar tweaks – engine optimisation, higher gearing, narrow, low rolling resistance tyres, body aerodynamics – to push the car into a VED band lower than the standard model. The Focus ECOnetic, with 115 g/km CO2. Could be problems for the econetic Focus part of Londons 20 MPH rule require speed bumps and speed cameras are installed in every road that becomes a 20 MPH road, the Econetic Focus does not have a lot ground clearance for speed bumps In the case of the Ford Focus ECOnetic, the vehicle was lowered to just 10mm above the ground at the front and just 8mm above the ground at the back. The aerodynamics kit is included as standard and consists of features like a rear spoiler, a modified bumper skirt and rocker claddings.

http://www.motortrader.com/26565/Industry-...-on-green.ehtml

 

The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic meets the demand for a smaller car that produces low CO2 emissions - below 99g/km. It will be implemented into the new Ford Fiesta design from November 2008.

http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/i...hip-green-cars/

 

What's the CO2 on the Falcon JPD just interested?

Edited April 12, 2008 by Ford Jellymoulds