Now I just read this article and subsequent comments over on Autospeed's website. CLICK HERE TO READ
Clock ticking for Falcon
Posted February 26th, 2009 by Julian Edgar
Hastened by the current world financial crisis and its effects on (particularly) US car makers, there is growing discussion in this country about the demise of the Ford Falcon model.
What to many people was unthinkable even only a year or two ago is now becoming an ‘it’ll probably happen’ scenario that while not palatable, is at least open for discussion.
As was always profoundly obvious to anyone looking at the car industry with unblinkered vision, the FG Falcon was never going to be a success – and it hasn’t proved to be.
Released in February of 2008, Falcon sales in that year show none of the upward trend that would be required (and expected) from the release of a new model.
According to V-Facts, in 2006 the combined Falcon and ute sales were 58,248; in 2007 they were 47,699; and in 2008 they were 44,536. That’s a drop over that short period of nearly 24 per cent – and includes the release of the brand new model!
If anyone can point to any foreseeable factors that would halt or reverse that trend in Falcon sales, I’d love to hear them.
And if that trend isn’t to level or reverse, goodbye Falcon…
I don’t think that even better fuel economy or other achievable changes will now help: I think the decline is terminal. The retention of the old engine for a few more years makes me think that Ford also believes the end is near: why re-engineer the car for new V6 engines when the model life will be so short?
The blame can only be placed at the feet of Ford product planners, who made a host of poor decisions in a climate where far better outcomes were possible. With the FG they had one real chance to turn things around, to build a car that actually matched where the market was going – and they blew it.
Putting a turbo petrol engine in the Territory when a diesel would obviously – so bloody obviously – have sold better? Yep, again they blew it.
What a waste of engineering talent. Of jobs and of skills and of capabilities.
It is sad to think that the model line might come to an end or even worse end up front wheel drive and powered by diesel motors.