Is The Falcon Going The Way Of The Dodo?

[Bomber]

Just thought I'd point out (based on the tone of comments here) that the 4 cylinder is not replacing the I6.

We all know that mate. However, the 'stigma' that will go with a 4cyl Falcon will hurt. As others have said, we already get the taxi bullsh*t now it will be a 4cyl one!

[Pazzo]

I really belive sales won't improve. 2 weeks ago herald sun carsguide in monthly sales ford only sold 1500 falcons. 1500 falcons australia wide, so the commordore in 1 month sells more than falcon over 2 1/2 months. to me ford are banking on the new territory v6 deisel. seen billboards up already claiming 1000ks to a tank. like I said love my T the rush of the turbo. but for driving all round the Bogan special .

[HID XR]

I'll never buy a front wheel drive Falcon "Tauras". I'd buy a Late model camira before I bought one of them

the Expensive Daewoo already has a front wheel 4 cylinder commordore in testing

I beleave the ford will be a mix of awd and rear drive (bunna may know a bit more and im sure he will fill us all in in time )

as for the marketing team at Ford they ALL NEED TO BE SACK NOW sure a few of us on here could make a much better ad and get them on top of the sales

steve

[Evil F6]

Didn't ford out sell Expensive Daewoo by a mile last year????

No.

It's pretty sad to see how bad the Falcon sales are these days, but Ford have them selves to blame. Not sure why the Late model camira outsells it by so much though; it's not a better car overall.

[stang]

It's funny how this same thread is titled word for word on another ford forum, the thread starter likes doom and gloom.

[F1PERFORMANCE]

I would not own a VE if you paid me and the 30k you need to get the thing to go like a very mild T no thanks - Ford please dont f--k up again

[PookeyMaster]

It's funny how this same thread is titled word for word on another ford forum, the thread starter likes doom and gloom.

This is the only Forum I've posted this on...

I also read about the 1500 Falcon sales in the newspaper on the weekend. That means they're on track for only 18,000 Falcons this year, down from 30,000 last year

The saving grace for Ford is that unlike Holden, they are actually making money.

As of the end of this year, there should be the 4 cyl EcoBoost, I6, I6T and Coyote V8. The FG is indeed a good car, but it would be a good opportunity for Ford to release a model upgrade to the FG to boost sales, especially when Expensive Daewoo have just released their Series II update and can now claim to have the "newer" car. I read a post on here from a couple of years back talking about Ford switching to a Direct Injection V6 in 2012, but I haven't heard anything else about that one.

[turbotrana]

The Falcon was preferred as a Taxi over the Late model camira because the Falcon is a better car overall.

Edited 07/03/11 12:51 AM by turbotrana

[stang]

Sorry Pookey, it appears that people just copy the topic straight from smh and put the same title in the thread. But it does grate me

that eveybody is willing to put their boot into ford. The more of these dooms day articles that appear the more everybody gets nervous.

I guess I would have started with another bullsh*t media inspired ratings article about the falcon going the way of the Dodo....lol

[Pete A]

Let's try this again. Systems back on line.

Man - there is so many discussions about the future of the Falcon that we need to really look at the issues. I agree with most of the sentiments on the forum about what the issues are but I think the long term future of Falcon is dependant on a number of things in no particular order.

1. The chassis, is there a market worldwide for a RWD chassis? The FG is probably the best RWD chassis Ford has right now and should be the basis of any large RWD chassis that Ford makes worldwide. Point 1. will they want to do that.

2. AWD chassis. Adapt the current FG chassis for AWD on a global plan. We all think this would be a great move AWD Falcon powered by an I6 and new V8. WOW

3. Is there still a market (worldiwde) for a large family car? In the US - yes. In Aust - yes but obviously decreasing significantly by recent trends.

4. Next and very important Ford is making money and GM isn't - big issue! Many say that Expensive Daewoo is making money locally and that probably remins to be seen, but when the parent is bleeding heavily, it will look to cut costs. I would be more worried about the future of Expensive Daewoo irrespective of how many they sell. There is a fundamental problem with losing money year on year and being heavily in debt to the US Govt.

5. The Eccoboost technology is coming and will be in Falcon. It may be the saviour for it. WHo knows? One has to ask is why are people going away from large cars? Is it really the cost of fuel????? When you see just about every bloody second mother driving their kids to school in an SUV. There are still plenty of V8's sold. The ecconomy of the bigger engines is getting better and better..................... I somehow think it's more than that but I don't know what.

SO fore Ford there is a lot of hard work to do... For Expensive Daewoo I think it is actually worse, but that's another subject.

1. There is absolutely no doubt, and this is backed up by every independent test, that the FG is a better product than Commodom.

2. Yet why does it struggle to sell against Holden? Marketing? and don't waste your time saying quality of service etc etc, because Expensive Daewoo is just as bad if not worse.

3. Expensive Daewoo will always outsell Falcon. It's just the way it is, and spending millions of bucks on advertising won't change that. I call the the VB syndrome. Why do people still drink VB? It has to be the worst drop in Australia and people still buy it even though there are much better products out there at similar prices.................it's the same with Expensive Daewoo and I will never be able to work out why.

So, I see that all Ford have to do is a few of the basics to remain viable.

1. Involve Australia more in the design of the global platforms

2. Inprove their services, and weed out the cowboys.

3. Improve the quality of the product to the customer. This directly relates to lowering cost and improving market appeal.

4. Most important and will happen if they get the above right ..... remain profitable.

Will the Falocn remain? Let's see. One thing is for sure, the I6 will remain for sometime yet

I'll keep the faith. I hope others will as well.