More Woes For Ford

[tmac450]

Just heard on the radio that Ford has dumped their plans to build the Focus in OZ.

The writing's on the wall folks.

[Dagabond]

Thats bloody shocking news.

[tab]

[Dagabond]

Ford cancels small car production in favour of green engine

Ford Australia has cancelled plans to build the Ford Focus at its Broadmeadows plant and will instead develop new green engines for its Falcon and Territory.

The $230 million green engine initiative will develop a new 2.0 litre, four cylinder turbo-charged ecoboost engine.

It is part of a broader technology development strategy that includes an advanced LPG engine for the Falcon and a clean diesel engine for the Territory.

The Federal Government will contribute $42 million from its green car innovation fund.

Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said it is a significant victory for Ford because the Australian-built Falcon will be the first rear wheel drive vehicle in the world to receive the new engine.

"The new, greener Falcon will emit significantly less carbon dioxide than current six-cylinder cars," he said.

"This announcement is a big vote of confidence in Ford's local capabilities and comes at a time when the global automotive industry is going through its biggest shake-up in a generation."

Senator Carr said while he regrets the loss of the Focus project, there will be no job losses at Ford's plants in Geelong and Broadmeadows.

Ford president Marin Burela blamed changing global economic conditions for the decision to dump the Focus, saying the company could not make a business case for profitably manufacturing the car at its Melbourne plants.

"Although difficult, this is the right decision for Ford Australia," he said.

"Our investments today demonstrate not only our commitment to address climate change, but to bringing leading edge technologies to the Australian market."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07...ction=australia

Not 'as' bad as it seems...

[My_XR6_Turbo]

Check this out. Will a Turbo Charged 4 Cylinder engine move a 1.8 Ton car?

http://www.theage.com.au/national/ford-aba...90724-dvhc.html

[XtRmn8]

Nothing wrong with the 2.0 EcoBoost. Looks like a cracker of an engine.

EcoBoost 4-cylinder 2.0-liter

A 2.0L version was unveiled in the 2008 Ford Explorer America Concept.[1] The engine was rated 275 hp (205 kW) and 280 lb·ft (380 N·m). Ford announced a new 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine will go on sale in the 2010 calendar year. It is the first EcoBoost engine to include Twin-Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT). This new four-cylinder 2.0L version EcoBoost engine will deliver 10 to 20 percent better fuel economy than larger displacement V-6s, all without compromising performance.

Get the above from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_EcoBoost_engine

Look at the bright side people, the intro of new engines to the Falcon and Territory could mean a big export potential for these locally built products. I think in this day and age it looks very promising.

[dule]

It will move it no problems, a non turbo charger 4 cylinder moves the little lighter camry so a turbo should sort out the extra weight, I don't think it will be fast or good for towing but should be drivable.

All the bottom line mercs, BMW and audi are the same big car small engine.

Edited 24/07/09 04:51 AM by dule

[XtRmn8]

205kw and 380nm mated to a 6 speed DSG gearbox should make this a very nice combo. Also let not forget that the all alloy 2.0L EcoBoost motor probably weighs about 100kg less then the current 4.0L. So the Falcon could potentially drop 150kg with just the new engine and a few weight saving changes. If ford can get the falcon to a low 1500kg car down from about 1650kg I think this will cream the current 4.0L.

Edited 24/07/09 04:58 AM by XtRmn8

[tab]

Probably would be OK, but I'm just going to pretend the sky is falling and hide under my desk.

[R-SPEC]

Hmm... At least they'll be lighter. But whoever buys one of those will grow breasts and speak with a voice 3 octaves higher when within a metre of the car