Ford’s next Falcon takes shape

FORD Australia is working on a plan for the next-generation Falcon as it prepares for a massive year of new model introductions in 2011.

In what could be a crucial year for its local manufacturing operations, Ford Australia will introduce no less than five new models as it also decides what it wants the redesigned 2016 Falcon to be.

GoAuto revealed last week that Ford Australia is currently working on styling concepts for the next Falcon under the direction of Ford Motor Company design chief J Mays.

At last week’s launch of FPV’s supercharged Falcon range, Ford Australia president Marin Burela confirmed preliminary work was underway on the next-generation Falcon, although nothing will be locked for at least another year.

From top: Ford Territory, Ford Fiesta sedan, MY2011 Ford Mondeo, MY2011 Ford Focus, Ford Australia president Marin Burela.



“We are currently in the process of evaluating what a new Falcon will be,” said Mr Burela.

“We need to make a decision by late 2011, early 2012, on what our new Falcon will be - the size, dimension, the package, the engine and all of that is taking place right now.”

However, Mr Burela said Ford Australia was in no rush to finalise the plan that should secure a long-term future for an Australian-made Falcon.

“We have actually got time on our side,” he said. “We are fortunate because at the time we released the current generation of FG Falcons, it actually gave us the time that said we don’t actually have a replacement vehicle in place until we get to that sort of 2016 time frame.

“We can choose which technologies, where the style is heading, where the car is heading, where the customer preferences are heading.”

In the meantime, Ford Australia will look to bolster its Falcon and Territory line-up with new locally produced products developed during the global financial crisis despite severe job cuts.

“It’s no secret that when the world was in meltdown and everyone was shutting down and closing hatches because it wasn’t a sensible thing to do to spend money, we came out boldly as a company and announced a significant investment in local manufacturing, local products - to the Falcon, the ute and the Territory,” Mr Burela said.

“Through 2011, you are going to see new products coming out. You are going to see new engines, you will see for the first time liquid injection LPG introduced into a full-size family car, for the first time the only locally produced SUV built in Australia will enjoy the benefits of a diesel engine.”

The new-generation LPG Falcon is expected to be the first out of the local product pipeline, followed by the diesel Territory and then the all-important four-cylinder EcoBoost Falcon later in the year.

Mr Burela is excited about all three, but it is the diesel Territory – Australia’s only locally produced diesel model - which drew this sales prediction: “We can’t wait to get that car out. There will be an explosion of demand - an absolute explosion of demand.”

Ford Australia will introduce a facelifted (Thai-sourced) Fiesta light-car and a facelifted Mondeo mid-sizer at the end of this year, while the first big launch of 2011 is that of the diesel Territory in second quarter.

The all-new Ranger, which was developed by Ford Australia and will be revealed at this week’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, will arrive in local showrooms in the third quarter.

Ford is also expected to release the Liquid Propane Injection (LPI) LPG Falcon around the same time, along with the all-new Focus.

The final major Ford launch of the year will be the most important - the turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost Falcon, which will go on sale at some stage during the last three months of the year.

As we’ve reported, Ford Australia may also re-introduce the XR8 Falcon in 2011, although it may have to wait until the following year depending on which engine it chooses.

What's coming fromFord:

Fiesta facelift	Q4 2010
Mondeo facelift	Q4 2010
Territory diesel	Q2 2011
Ranger redesign	Q3 2011
Falcon LPI	Q3 2011
Focus redesign	Q3 2011
Falcon EcoBoost	Q4 2011