Next Gen Aussie Ford Fairlane in doubt
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From: The Golden State
Next Gen Aussie Ford Fairlane in doubt
Could clear the way for a standardized full size Ford made here and sold in Australia as well as the middle east.
Hope sinks for an all-new Fairlane and LTD as Ford boss paints a grim picture
By NEIL McDONALD 21 February 2007
THE countdown has begun over the fate of Ford’s Australian-built long-wheelbase Fairlane and LTD models.
Ford Australia president Tom Gorman told GoAuto last week the company was "very close" to having to decide if the luxury limousine twins would continue when the next-generation Falcon arrives early next year – and the prospects are not good based on recent Fairlane and LTD sales.
Last month, Ford sold no LTDs and just 18 Fairlanes, compared to Holden’s 107 Caprices and 123 Statesmans, prompting Mr Gorman to say that Ford had not stopped building LTDs.
"We build to demand for LTD," he said. "We have not stopped building them and you’ll see our numbers are more robust in February. But that segment is very small and it becomes very challenging for us in the future.
"We haven’t declared our future on this yet but it is a challenge."
Last year Ford sold 1105 Fairlanes and just 53 LTDs. By comparison, Holden sold 1986 Statesmans and 1090 Caprices, clearly dominating the Australian long-wheelbase segment.
Left: GoAutoNews, April 26, 2006.
Significantly, Holden has export markets for its long-wheelbase sedans, hence the justification for new-generation models based on the VE Commodore. However, Ford does not have the same opportunities.
Mr Gorman described the Fairlane and LTD as "great driving cars" but acknowledged that the segment had moved.
"And I think that to be stuck in a place where you don’t recognise some of the structural changes is dangerous," he said.
"In 2003 23 per cent of the total industry was the large car market. Last year it was 13.5 per cent, a 10 per cent decline over three years in a roughly one million market.
"That’s 100,000 fewer large cars that get consumed in a year ... and that’s 30,000 to 35,000 fewer Falcon’s annually. So we’re in a position that structurally that position has changed."
When Holden launched its new billion-dollar VE Commodore late last year, the company spent $190 million on the long-wheelbase range.
"And let’s assume that number is even close to accurate, you’d have to have a big chunk of volume to make that pay off," Mr Gorman said.
Download GoAutoNews, April 26, 2006
Hope sinks for an all-new Fairlane and LTD as Ford boss paints a grim picture
By NEIL McDONALD 21 February 2007
THE countdown has begun over the fate of Ford’s Australian-built long-wheelbase Fairlane and LTD models.
Ford Australia president Tom Gorman told GoAuto last week the company was "very close" to having to decide if the luxury limousine twins would continue when the next-generation Falcon arrives early next year – and the prospects are not good based on recent Fairlane and LTD sales.
Last month, Ford sold no LTDs and just 18 Fairlanes, compared to Holden’s 107 Caprices and 123 Statesmans, prompting Mr Gorman to say that Ford had not stopped building LTDs.
"We build to demand for LTD," he said. "We have not stopped building them and you’ll see our numbers are more robust in February. But that segment is very small and it becomes very challenging for us in the future.
"We haven’t declared our future on this yet but it is a challenge."
Last year Ford sold 1105 Fairlanes and just 53 LTDs. By comparison, Holden sold 1986 Statesmans and 1090 Caprices, clearly dominating the Australian long-wheelbase segment.
Left: GoAutoNews, April 26, 2006.
Significantly, Holden has export markets for its long-wheelbase sedans, hence the justification for new-generation models based on the VE Commodore. However, Ford does not have the same opportunities.
Mr Gorman described the Fairlane and LTD as "great driving cars" but acknowledged that the segment had moved.
"And I think that to be stuck in a place where you don’t recognise some of the structural changes is dangerous," he said.
"In 2003 23 per cent of the total industry was the large car market. Last year it was 13.5 per cent, a 10 per cent decline over three years in a roughly one million market.
"That’s 100,000 fewer large cars that get consumed in a year ... and that’s 30,000 to 35,000 fewer Falcon’s annually. So we’re in a position that structurally that position has changed."
When Holden launched its new billion-dollar VE Commodore late last year, the company spent $190 million on the long-wheelbase range.
"And let’s assume that number is even close to accurate, you’d have to have a big chunk of volume to make that pay off," Mr Gorman said.
Download GoAutoNews, April 26, 2006
Last edited by guionM; Feb 22, 2007 at 08:22 AM.
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From: Frankfort, KY U.S.A.
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From: Melbourne, Australia
Ford are in serious trouble... not only in the US but Australia! Not a single LTD was sold in January and only a handful of Fairlanes were shifted. Not enough to justify the car's investment.
Sales of Falcon have dropped to a lowly 1900 sales/m compared to 5000 sales/m only a couple of years ago. Orion (codename for redesigned Falcon built on same platform) is still over a year away. It can't arrive soon enought for Ford.
Holden's sedan only VE Commodore is averaging just under 5000 sales/m just to give you an idea of relativity.
Sales of Falcon have dropped to a lowly 1900 sales/m compared to 5000 sales/m only a couple of years ago. Orion (codename for redesigned Falcon built on same platform) is still over a year away. It can't arrive soon enought for Ford.
Holden's sedan only VE Commodore is averaging just under 5000 sales/m just to give you an idea of relativity.
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From: Pewee Valley, KY
It is very similar to the Holden cars, very modern suspension large RWD cars. They are Unibody, have the control blade IRS system, SLA front suspension, a standard ZF 6 speed auto (available 6 speed stick), a trick Turbo 4.0L I6, as well as the 5.4 NA motors making some pretty good power. Also similar to Holden are the sizes the regular Falcon is roughly the same size as the Commodore and the Fairlane/LTD are the same size as the Statesman/Caprice (both longer wheelbase than the affor mentioned models).
It is really a shame that Ford just can't seem to get their collective act together. While a DC2 based RWD Ford sedan would be cool it would likely be costlier to engineer and manufacture than the superior BA Falcon, which does extremely well in comparisons to things such as the BMW 5 series lineup. Not only that but they have the perfect replacement for the Explorer in production in Ford AUS, the Territory (which is Falcon based as well). Sure Ford screwed the pooch not making the BA lineup not LHD as well as RHD but that is something that could be changed pretty quickly, I assume. And the next gen Orion cars are supposed to have LHD or RHD engineered into them.
Heck I think that the LWB BA cars could have been rebadged as a replacement for the XJ before they spend the Billions on Jags new all aluminum chassis, which could be a very big and very costly mistake if it only underpins the XJ. And I think Proud/GuionM's statements about bringing the BA lineup and some Ford Europe productions to North America to totally revamp the Mercury badge. I honestly don't see why things this obvious aren't seen by those within Ford who have the power to make things happen. Anyone have Mr. Mullay's email handy?
It is really a shame that Ford just can't seem to get their collective act together. While a DC2 based RWD Ford sedan would be cool it would likely be costlier to engineer and manufacture than the superior BA Falcon, which does extremely well in comparisons to things such as the BMW 5 series lineup. Not only that but they have the perfect replacement for the Explorer in production in Ford AUS, the Territory (which is Falcon based as well). Sure Ford screwed the pooch not making the BA lineup not LHD as well as RHD but that is something that could be changed pretty quickly, I assume. And the next gen Orion cars are supposed to have LHD or RHD engineered into them.
Heck I think that the LWB BA cars could have been rebadged as a replacement for the XJ before they spend the Billions on Jags new all aluminum chassis, which could be a very big and very costly mistake if it only underpins the XJ. And I think Proud/GuionM's statements about bringing the BA lineup and some Ford Europe productions to North America to totally revamp the Mercury badge. I honestly don't see why things this obvious aren't seen by those within Ford who have the power to make things happen. Anyone have Mr. Mullay's email handy?
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From: Melbourne, Australia
Yes the Falcon is an excellent car. Roomy, quiet, refined, relatively fuel efficient and powerful. Oh, one other thing... great ride/handling.
It's a shame the US doesn't get a taste of some of Ford's excellent overseas products.
It's a shame the US doesn't get a taste of some of Ford's excellent overseas products.
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Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
As pointed out, they are hardly similar to panther cars. I think 91_z28_4me went into excellent detail about the car. The front suspension of the "old" BA cars is even more modern than the still fresh out of the box Holden VE.
IMHO, the Fairmont-LTD's problem is that they look the same as they did when I was in Oz back in 2000. And even then, the Holden Caprice-Statesman looked arguably better. Today, with the new ultramodern, chisel-cut, wedge-like Holden WMs out, the big Fords look like they came from the 1970s by comparison.
Falcons, on the other hand, look very good, handle very nice, are very solid..... and are all over the place!
Rental lots are full of them (no doubt helped by the fact that Holden no longer offers discounts for them), Police departments have them, the XR6 is extremely sporty and extremely affordable so seemingly everyone wanting a performance look without the drawbacks of a V8 bought one.
To be honest, I think the reason Falcon's sales are down sharply is because the market's saturated with them, and simply can't adsorb any more.
IMHO, the Fairmont-LTD's problem is that they look the same as they did when I was in Oz back in 2000. And even then, the Holden Caprice-Statesman looked arguably better. Today, with the new ultramodern, chisel-cut, wedge-like Holden WMs out, the big Fords look like they came from the 1970s by comparison.
Falcons, on the other hand, look very good, handle very nice, are very solid..... and are all over the place!
Rental lots are full of them (no doubt helped by the fact that Holden no longer offers discounts for them), Police departments have them, the XR6 is extremely sporty and extremely affordable so seemingly everyone wanting a performance look without the drawbacks of a V8 bought one.
To be honest, I think the reason Falcon's sales are down sharply is because the market's saturated with them, and simply can't adsorb any more.
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From: Mack and Bewick
Ok, Im getting the picture, so its like a larger falcon, and the falcon and other competition is eating up sales.
I thought it might have been an old platform because we've only been hearing that they should export the falcon and no other rwd platforms, when they could arguable use more than one. So I assumed something must be wrong with it that they didnt want it for the US market.
I thought it might have been an old platform because we've only been hearing that they should export the falcon and no other rwd platforms, when they could arguable use more than one. So I assumed something must be wrong with it that they didnt want it for the US market.
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From: Sydney, Australia
the decision on this was really made quite some time ago. just that nobody really wanted to talk about it. it's not been in the product pipeline for 18 months that i know of.
the success of upper spec Territories took a lot of these sales, Ford has put no marketing money into the segment and it's dried up for them.
the success of upper spec Territories took a lot of these sales, Ford has put no marketing money into the segment and it's dried up for them.
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