<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd">
<channel>
<title>Autoblog</title>
<link>http://www.autoblog.com</link>
<description>Autoblog</description>
<image>
<url>http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif</url>
<title>Autoblog</title>
<link>http://www.autoblog.com</link>
</image>
<language>en-us</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.</copyright>
<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/breaking-ford-announces-it-will-build-all-new-police-intercepto/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/breaking-ford-announces-it-will-build-all-new-police-intercepto/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/breaking-ford-announces-it-will-build-all-new-police-intercepto/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/commercial-trucks/" rel="tag">Work</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/special-limited-editions/" rel="tag">Specialty</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/breaking-ford-announces-it-will-build-all-new-police-intercepto/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/ford-falcon-g-series-630.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<br />
In a surprise move, Ford has announced that it will pursue the development of an all-new Police Interceptor model. The move comes on the heels of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/the-cops-get-a-zeta-sedan-gm-unveils-355-hp-chevy-caprice-polic/">General Motors' announcement that</a> it plans to challenge the Crown Victoria's law enforcement dominance with its own heavy-duty Chevrolet Caprice sedan. <br />
<br />
Details are slim, but Ford says the forthcoming PI will arrive in 2011 and it will sport durability, safety, and performance parameters that are superior to that of the Jurassic Panther-platform Crown Vic. Given the relatively tight timeframe and durability targets, we have to assume that the replacement cop car could be based on the rear-drive Australian-market Ford Falcon shown above. The Blue Oval promises that the car will be engineered and built in America, so it could also be an Ecoboost version of the Ford Taurus (as seen in the SHO), but front-drive cars have had trouble meeting the durability and cost requirements of police duty in the past, making this something of an open question. In an official release <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/breaking-ford-announces-it-will-build-all-new-police-intercepto/">posted after the jump</a>, Ford says it will disclose full vehicle specs in the first quarter of 2010, which should give enough time for both law enforcement and police vehicle equipment manufacturers to prepare for the changeover.<br />
<br />
Ford says it presently shifts about 45,000 of the 60,000 police cars sold in the States each year, so it makes sense that Dearborn would not be willing to cede this market to Chevy's Caprice and the already established Dodge Charger.<br />
<br />
[Source: Ford]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/breaking-ford-announces-it-will-build-all-new-police-intercepto/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/breaking-ford-announces-it-will-build-all-new-police-intercepto/">BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/breaking-ford-announces-it-will-build-all-new-police-intercepto/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19236538/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/breaking-ford-announces-it-will-build-all-new-police-intercepto/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Blue Oval</category><category>BlueOval</category><category>breaking</category><category>breakingnews</category><category>Crown Vic</category><category>crown victoria</category><category>CrownVic</category><category>CrownVictoria</category><category>Ford</category><category>Ford Falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>law enforcement</category><category>LawEnforcement</category><category>panther platform</category><category>PantherPlatform</category><category>police</category><category>police car</category><category>police interceptor</category><category>PoliceCar</category><category>PoliceInterceptor</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Paukert]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[REPORT: Australian racing fans limited to just 24 beers per day]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/report-australian-racing-fans-limited-to-just-24-beers-per-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/report-australian-racing-fans-limited-to-just-24-beers-per-day/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/report-australian-racing-fans-limited-to-just-24-beers-per-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/" rel="tag">Government/Legal</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a></p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE59558U20091006?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=oddlyEnoughNews"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/bathurst-horsehead-fan-getty-630.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><small>Bathurst 1000 fan enjoying a coldie during The Great Race</small></em></strong></div>
<br />
You know what's not aces? When you're just trying to drink a little amber fluid and watch the Bathurst 1000 and the <em>man</em> treats you like a total bogan. What business is it of his how many coldies you drink when it's time to hit the turps? This makes us so mad we could eat a trough lolly! No doubt a pommy bastard thunk this 'un up...<br />
<br />
And that marks the end of our silly attempt to sound Australian. However, it does not end our amusement over the fact that Australian officials have set a 24-beer per day limit on fans attending the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/Bathurst1000/">Bathurst 1000</a>. As in, you are allowed to drink 24 beers, but not 25. Cause you know, there's a <em>huge </em>difference. Why are they enacting this draconian alcohol policy? To cut down on booze-related crime of course. <br />
<br />
If you don't know, the Bathurst 1000 is known in the Land Down Under as "The Great Race." Only V8 Supercars are allowed to compete. These days in Australia V8 Supercars consist of either the Holden Commodore or the Ford Falcon. That's it. Thousands of blokes and sheilas turn up in the town of Bathurst to watch the cars run, and turns out they like drinking. <br />
<br />
Says police assistant commissioner Alan Clarke, "This is one of the greatest motorsport events in Australia and for some it is a pilgrimage that they make every year... Every year thousands of race fans attend and enjoy the event and Police will not allow their safety to be compromised by a drunken few." So there you have it. Drink your 24 beers, keep your nose clean and you shouldn't have any trouble. Oh, if you drink low- or medium-strength beer, the cops will let you have up to 36. Sweet! <em>Hat tip to Bumbeck.</em><br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE59558U20091006?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=oddlyEnoughNews">Reuters</a> | Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/report-australian-racing-fans-limited-to-just-24-beers-per-day/">REPORT: Australian racing fans limited to just 24 beers per day</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/report-australian-racing-fans-limited-to-just-24-beers-per-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19187948/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/report-australian-racing-fans-limited-to-just-24-beers-per-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Australia</category><category>bathurst</category><category>Bathurst 1000</category><category>Bathurst1000</category><category>Beer</category><category>drinking</category><category>Ford Falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>Holden Commodore</category><category>HoldenCommodore</category><category>public intoxication</category><category>PublicIntoxication</category><category>V8 Supercars</category><category>V8Supercars</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonny Lieberman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford: Falcon to be first RWD four-cylinder EcoBoost car. Translation? No such Mustang until 2011... if at all]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/ford-falcon-to-be-first-rwd-four-cylinder-ecoboost-application/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/ford-falcon-to-be-first-rwd-four-cylinder-ecoboost-application/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/ford-falcon-to-be-first-rwd-four-cylinder-ecoboost-application/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/ford-fg-falcon-g-series/#3"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/g-series-ford-falcon-630-lead.jpg" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><strong><small>Ford FG Falcon G-Series - Click above for image gallery</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />Ford made news this week when it <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/ford-announces-2-0-liter-ecoboost-and-dual-clutch-gearbox-for-20/">officially announced</a> its four-cylinder EcoBoost engine; an engine that promises V6 performance with four-banger efficiency. The company's twin-turbo technology is expected to infiltrate almost every part of its lineup within the next few years, and it'll be available just about everywhere on earth, including Australia.<br /><br />To that end, Ford has just announced that it will be adding the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine to Australia's Falcon lineup. The new engine will give Australian customers a more fuel efficient option in the popular sedan, while also packing nearly the same punch as the V6-powered Holden Commodore. Ford says the Falcon will be the first rear-drive vehicle to receive an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which means the Mustang won't receive the 2.0-liter turbo until late 2011 at the earliest (and possibly never).<br /><br />Ford is investing $230 million overall to improve the efficiency of its Australian lineup, with the EcoBoost 2.0-liter, a 2.7-liter diesel unit for its Territory crossover, and a new LPG engine for its fleet offerings. The Australian government is pitching in, too, as they are giving Ford $42 million as part of the nation's Green Car Innovation Fund. Local Victoria government officials are also pitching in an unspecified amount of money, helping ease costs for the Blue Oval.<br /><br />Ford has also announced that it will not build the next-generation Focus in Australia, opting instead to import the popular small car from Thailand. Ford Australia was planning to build 45,000 Focuses a year, with 15,000 units destined for export. Ford says no jobs will be affected by the change of plans. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/ford-australia-adds-four-banger-to-falcon-opts-not-to-build-foc/">Hit the jump</a> to review the company's officla press release.<br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fg-falcon-g-series/low/">Ford FG Falcon G-Series</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fg-falcon-g-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/000fgfalcong_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fg-falcon-g-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/001fgfalcong_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fg-falcon-g-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/002fgfalcong_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fg-falcon-g-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/003fgfalcong_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fg-falcon-g-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/004fgfalcong_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: Ford, <a href="http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleID=64516">Drive</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/ford-falcon-to-be-first-rwd-four-cylinder-ecoboost-application/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford: Falcon to be first RWD four-cylinder EcoBoost car. Translation? No such Mustang until 2011... if at all</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/ford-falcon-to-be-first-rwd-four-cylinder-ecoboost-application/">Ford: Falcon to be first RWD four-cylinder EcoBoost car. Translation? No such Mustang until 2011... if at all</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleID=64516>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/ford-falcon-to-be-first-rwd-four-cylinder-ecoboost-application/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19108706/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/ford-falcon-to-be-first-rwd-four-cylinder-ecoboost-application/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 ford falcon</category><category>2011FordFalcon</category><category>ecoboost</category><category>ford falcon</category><category>ford focus</category><category>Ford Mustang</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>FordFocus</category><category>FordMustang</category><category>four-cylinder</category><category>fuel efficiency</category><category>FuelEfficiency</category><category>Mustang</category><category>turbo</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Robert McNamara, father of the Ford Falcon, dead at 93 [w/VIDEO]]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/timewarp/" rel="tag">Classics</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/falcon-commercial-580x.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Click above to watch video <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/">after the jump</a></small></strong></em><a href="javascript:void(0);/*1246893334858*/"><br /></a></div>
<br />Former Ford President Robert McNamara passed away in his sleep yesterday at the age of 93. McNamara joined the Blue Oval in 1946 and quickly ascended the ranks, becoming the General Manager of the Ford Division in 1955. <br /><br />During McNamara's tenure, the Ford brand bested Chevrolet in U.S. sales for the first time in 22 years. McNamara's biggest success was the 1960 Ford Falcon, which sold 500,000 units in its first year. McNamara also made the decision to convert the sexy two seat Thunderbird into the less attractive but more salable four-seat version. As unattractive as that decision seemed at the time, Thunderbird sales increased four-fold after the change.<br /><br />After only one month as President of Ford Motor Company, McNamara went to Washington to be the Secretary of Defense for John F. Kennedy. He held the position until 1968. After his time in politics, McNamara spent 12 years as the head of the World Bank. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/">Hit the jump</a> to watch a commercial touting the 1960 Ford lineup, including the introduction of the Falcon.<br /><br />[Sources: <a href="http://blogs.mustangmonthly.com/6528730/ford-news/former-ford-president-passes-on/index.html">Mustang Monthly;</a> <a href="http:// http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090706/CARNEWS/907069992">Autoweek</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Robert McNamara, father of the Ford Falcon, dead at 93 [w/VIDEO]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/">Robert McNamara, father of the Ford Falcon, dead at 93 [w/VIDEO]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19087864/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ford</category><category>ford falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>john f kennedy</category><category>JohnFKennedy</category><category>mcnamara</category><category>robert mcnamara</category><category>RobertMcnamara</category><category>secretary of defense</category><category>SecretaryOfDefense</category><category>thunderbird</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Actor Eric Bana's motorsports film going carbon-neutral]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/actor-eric-bana-creating-carbon-neutral-motorsports-film/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/actor-eric-bana-creating-carbon-neutral-motorsports-film/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/actor-eric-bana-creating-carbon-neutral-motorsports-film/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/celebrities/" rel="tag">Celebrities</a></p><a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/motoringNews/idUKLNE51I01M20090219?sp=true"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/bana_bubble_580.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There's more than one way for Hollywood actors to go green. While most celebrities choose to go the way of Toyota Prius ownership, Eric Bana's chosen green ride is a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/actor-eric-bana-to-compete-in-bathurst-12-hour-enduro/">1973 Ford Falcon from Australia</a>, a gas guzzler from a time that just barely predates most modern emissions equipment. That car, which is the title character in <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/20/eric-bana-filming-documentary-about-his-car/">Bana's upcoming new movie <em>Love The Beas</em></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/20/eric-bana-filming-documentary-about-his-car/"><em>t</em></a>, was modified to take part in the grueling Targa Tasmania Rally, and we doubt the list of upgrades included bits like catalytic converters and computer-controlled engine management systems. Other stars slated to appear in the new flick include certified motor-heads Jay Leno, Jeremy Clarkson and... um, Dr. Phil. So, what's the green angle?<br /><br />Bana's production company, known as <em>Pick Up Truck Pictures</em>, contracted an outside firm to calculate the total carbon emissions spent in the production of the film. To offset this carbon footprint, oxygen-exhaling trees will be planted to suck up their share of carbon dioxide and restore forest ecosystems. Ta-da!<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/motoringNews/idUKLNE51I01M20090219?sp=true">Reuters</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/actor-eric-bana-creating-carbon-neutral-motorsports-film/">Actor Eric Bana's motorsports film going carbon-neutral</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:34:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://uk.reuters.com/article/motoringNews/idUKLNE51I01M20090219?sp=true>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/actor-eric-bana-creating-carbon-neutral-motorsports-film/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1469538/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/actor-eric-bana-creating-carbon-neutral-motorsports-film/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>1973 ford falcon</category><category>1973FordFalcon</category><category>australian ford falcon</category><category>AustralianFordFalcon</category><category>carbon offset</category><category>carbon offsets</category><category>CarbonOffset</category><category>CarbonOffsets</category><category>eric bana</category><category>eric bana love the beast</category><category>EricBana</category><category>EricBanaLoveTheBeast</category><category>ford falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>love the beast</category><category>LoveTheBeast</category><category>pick up truck pictures</category><category>PickUpTruckPictures</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeremy Korzeniewski]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:34:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford Australia saves jobs and inline-6 with big investment]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/ford-australia-saves-jobs-and-inline-6-with-big-investment/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/ford-australia-saves-jobs-and-inline-6-with-big-investment/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/ford-australia-saves-jobs-and-inline-6-with-big-investment/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/08fpv_f6_sedan-(12)_opt.jpg"  alt="" /><br /><a href="http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/11/20/32581_news.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/fg_falcon_six.jpg" /></a><br />"No, thanks," says Ford of Australia to the Duratec V6. Instead, Ford of Oz will invest $21 million to upgrade its homegrown inline six-cylinder and keep the invading powerplant out. The ongoing commitment to its own engine saves jobs at Ford's Geelong plant, as well as keeps local Australian suppliers healthy. It doesn't make any sense for gaskets, castings, bearings and other various parts to come from some other continent, so it's a piece of good news for the economy in Victoria. The engine will be freshened to meet Euro IV emissions standards and will keep thundering away down under with exemplary second-order vibration characteristics. The Falcon, Falcon Ute, and Territory will continue to be homegrown products with homegrown hearts, that we still badly want here in he States. C'mon Ford, if Pontiac can do it, you can, too. <em>Thanks for the tip, everyone!</em><br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/11/20/32581_news.html">GeelongAdvertiser</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/ford-australia-saves-jobs-and-inline-6-with-big-investment/">Ford Australia saves jobs and inline-6 with big investment</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/11/20/32581_news.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/ford-australia-saves-jobs-and-inline-6-with-big-investment/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1378101/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/ford-australia-saves-jobs-and-inline-6-with-big-investment/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>australia inline six</category><category>AustraliaInlineSix</category><category>falcon six</category><category>FalconSix</category><category>ford australia</category><category>ford falcon</category><category>ford falcon engine</category><category>ford falcon fg</category><category>ford inline six</category><category>FordAustralia</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>FordFalconEngine</category><category>FordFalconFg</category><category>FordInlineSix</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dan Roth]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Next Ford Falcon will be less 'Australian']]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/next-ford-falcon-will-be-less-australian/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/next-ford-falcon-will-be-less-australian/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/next-ford-falcon-will-be-less-australian/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/08fpv_f6_sedan-%2812%29_opt.jpg" /><br /><br />The Ford Falcon is all Australian. It has always been driven by the rear wheels, and it has always been designed, engineered, and built Down Under. The automotive world is rapidly changing, though, and Ford is one of many OEMs that are driving towards global vehicle architectures and a less diversified corporate parts bin. What does that mean for the Falcon? Nothing for quite a while, as the once hot-selling Aussie special just received major rework in April, and another redesign is many years away. When it does go under the engineering knife it will likely have more in common with the Ford Taurus than anything native to the Outback.<br /><br />Ford product chief Derrick Kuzak is working towards what the Blue Oval calls "One Ford." That means, for example, that there will be only one C-segment platform for like-sized crossovers, wagons, hatchbacks, coupes, and sedans, and that platform would be used in all regions around the globe. Ford will still have a rear-drive platform for performance vehicles, but the rabid push for fuel efficiency and weight reductions means that the chance of future Falcons being motivated by the rear wheels is slim. Plenty can change between now and 2015, so we'll keep our dimming hopes for a RWD Falcon for all alive, but the prospects look less rosy by the day. <br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=57185&amp;vf=26">Drive</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/next-ford-falcon-will-be-less-australian/">Next Ford Falcon will be less 'Australian'</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:27:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=57185&amp;vf=26>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/next-ford-falcon-will-be-less-australian/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1322735/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/next-ford-falcon-will-be-less-australian/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>derrick kuzak</category><category>DerrickKuzak</category><category>ford</category><category>Ford Falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>one ford</category><category>OneFord</category><category>rear drive</category><category>RearDrive</category><category>RWD</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:27:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Say it ain't so: Ford Falcon could go front-wheel drive]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/say-it-aint-so-ford-falcon-could-go-front-wheel-drive/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/say-it-aint-so-ford-falcon-could-go-front-wheel-drive/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/say-it-aint-so-ford-falcon-could-go-front-wheel-drive/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/fpv/" rel="tag">FPV</a></p><a href="http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=56455&amp;vf=26&amp;pg=2"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/fpvgt_fwd.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><br />"You guys are obsessed with rear wheel drive," Alan Mulally mused to the Australian press after a browbeating about which pair of wheels might propel the Falcon into the future. Try as they might, the Ford Chief would not be pinned down about the chassis architecture of future Falcons, saying only that the choice would be customer driven, and plugging front and all-wheel drive vehicles as "pretty spectacular." <br /><br />Mulally is right that Ford's global push to put exceptional small cars in showrooms is what the automaker's focus is and should be. The Falcon has long fallen off its sales peak from the halcyon days of two decades ago, and while Mulally agrees that it's "an absolutely dynamite vehicle," small cars in the future will prop up the more niche-y vehicles like the FG Falcon. Mulally went on to say that Australia will serve as an engineering and product development outpost for Ford, and the big-vehicle prowess in Oz will be useful regardless of layout. As Ford pulls its global platforms together, the Ranger and Focus will come at us from Australia, too.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/say-it-aint-so-ford-falcon-could-go-front-wheel-drive/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Say it ain't so: Ford Falcon could go front-wheel drive</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/say-it-aint-so-ford-falcon-could-go-front-wheel-drive/">Say it ain't so: Ford Falcon could go front-wheel drive</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:28:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=56455&amp;vf=26&amp;pg=2>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/say-it-aint-so-ford-falcon-could-go-front-wheel-drive/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1294908/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/say-it-aint-so-ford-falcon-could-go-front-wheel-drive/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>alan mulally</category><category>alan mulally australia</category><category>AlanMulally</category><category>AlanMulallyAustralia</category><category>falcon fpv</category><category>FalconFpv</category><category>ford australia</category><category>ford falcon</category><category>ford fpv</category><category>FordAustralia</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>FordFpv</category><category>fpv</category><category>fpv f6</category><category>fpv gt</category><category>fpvf6</category><category>FpvGt</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dan Roth]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:28:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Holden and Ford trading punches before Falcon arrives]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/holden-and-ford-trading-punches-before-falcon-arrives/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/holden-and-ford-trading-punches-before-falcon-arrives/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/holden-and-ford-trading-punches-before-falcon-arrives/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/carbuying/" rel="tag">Car Buying</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/holden/" rel="tag">Holden</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/falcon.jpg" /><br /><br />Holden and Ford have been fighting the battle of Commodore vs. Falcon for many years, and with the recent announcement of the new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/17/melbourne-08-preview-2008-ford-fg-falcon-swoops-in/">Falcon range</a>, the war has heated up. Holden's very competent Holden line has been given quite a jolt in anticipation of the Falcon's release, with many offerings trumping Ford's recently introduced Falcon models. <br /><br /><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/holden-commodore-ss-.jpg" />The Commodore will now feature standard side curtain airbags across the model range, as opposed to only two of eight Falcon models having the safety tech standard. The Commodore's side air bags will also protect both first and second row passengers, as opposed to only the front row in the Falcon. Holden also held the price of the upcoming Commodore wagon to within $1,000 of the sedan's price, where before it was an extra $3,000, and air conditioning is now standard on all models. Pricing for the eight Falcon models has yet to be announced, so Ford still has a chance to retaliate. <br /><br />It appears that the battle rages on for RWD superiority in the land of OZ, and if we're lucky Ford will bring the Falcon Stateside to battle the Pontiac G8 on our turf.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=49994&amp;vf=26">Drive</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/holden-and-ford-trading-punches-before-falcon-arrives/">Holden and Ford trading punches before Falcon arrives</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:32:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=49994&amp;vf=26>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/holden-and-ford-trading-punches-before-falcon-arrives/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1135742/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/holden-and-ford-trading-punches-before-falcon-arrives/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Australia</category><category>Ford Falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>Holden Commodore</category><category>HoldenCommodore</category><category>OZ</category><category>Price battle</category><category>PriceBattle</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:32:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sydney 2007: FPV GT Cobra strikes!]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/sydney-2007-fpv-cobra-poised-to-strike-in-limited-numbers/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/sydney-2007-fpv-cobra-poised-to-strike-in-limited-numbers/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/sydney-2007-fpv-cobra-poised-to-strike-in-limited-numbers/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/trucks/" rel="tag">Truck</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/misc-auto-shows/" rel="tag">Misc. Auto Shows</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/fpv/" rel="tag">FPV</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fpv-gt-cobra/429377/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/fpvcobraoffhi_003lo.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><em>Click image for photo gallery</em><br /><br />We brought you word on the new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/07/australians-get-404-hp-398-lb-ft-fpv-cobra/">FPV Cobra</a> last week, and today it was officially unveiled at the Sydney Motor Show. Everything we told you already still holds true, so here's a quick refresher:<br /><br />
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fpv-gt-cobra/434684/"><img width="250" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="197" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/fpvcobrasedanlive.jpg" alt="" /></a>Available in both sedan and ute bodystyles</li>
    <li>5.4L BOSS 302 V8 (302 kW/540 Nm - 404 HP/398 lb-ft)</li>
    <li>6-speed manual or ZF 6-speed automatic</li>
    <li>Sedan equipped with R-Spec suspension</li>
    <li>Brembo brakes standard, 6-piston front/4-piston rear upgrade available</li>
    <li>500 cars total: 400 sedans, 100 utes</li>
    <li>All cars finished in white w/ blue stripes</li>
    <li>Pricing: Sedan - $65,110 AUD, Ute - $61,200 AUD</li>
</ul>
Follow the jump for the official FPV press release and check out the gallery below for a full suite of live shots from the floor in Sydney, as well as all the available press photos, including a few new ones. <br /><br />[Source: FPV]<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fpv-gt-cobra/low/">FPV GT Cobra</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fpv-gt-cobra/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/ford_fpv_cobra_gt_img_2798_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fpv-gt-cobra/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/ford_fpv_cobra_gt_img_2799_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fpv-gt-cobra/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/ford_fpv_cobra_gt_img_2800_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fpv-gt-cobra/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/ford_fpv_cobra_gt_img_2801_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fpv-gt-cobra/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/ford_fpv_cobra_gt_img_2802_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br /><strong>Live photos Copyright (C)2007 Siddarth Raja / Weblogs, Inc. </strong><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/sydney-2007-fpv-cobra-poised-to-strike-in-limited-numbers/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Sydney 2007: FPV GT Cobra strikes!</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/sydney-2007-fpv-cobra-poised-to-strike-in-limited-numbers/">Sydney 2007: FPV GT Cobra strikes!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:04:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/sydney-2007-fpv-cobra-poised-to-strike-in-limited-numbers/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1010424/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/sydney-2007-fpv-cobra-poised-to-strike-in-limited-numbers/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2007 Sydney Motor Show</category><category>2007SydneyMotorShow</category><category>BF Falcon</category><category>BfFalcon</category><category>Ford Falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>FPV Cobra</category><category>FPV Cobra Sedan</category><category>FPV Cobra Ute</category><category>FpvCobra</category><category>FpvCobraSedan</category><category>FpvCobraUte</category><category>Sydney 2007</category><category>Sydney Motor Show</category><category>Sydney2007</category><category>SydneyMotorShow</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alex Nunez]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:04:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford wants New Zealand safety ad pulled]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/ford-wants-new-zealand-safety-ad-pulled/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/ford-wants-new-zealand-safety-ad-pulled/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/ford-wants-new-zealand-safety-ad-pulled/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing/Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/ford_falcon_xr6_c.jpg" /><br /><br />Safety campaigners and law makers in New Zealand have consistently complained about car ads showing any sense of speed and have since had them banned. Now the tables have turned with Ford reportedly unhappy over the latest anti-speeding ad from Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) because of the way it portrays one of its new cars. <br /><br />The $2 million television ads shows a late-model Ford Falcon XR6 (pictured) sliding out of control and ending up in a ditch, and, according to a Blue Oval spokesperson, the ad breaches an agreement between the automakers and the LTNZ, which stipulates the make and model of cars in road safety ads are to be concealed. <br /><br />The LTNZ is standing by its ad, claiming it doesn't breach any rules because the car's badging is gone, and expects it to air for the next 18 months. Fortunately for Ford, a new version of the Falcon is due to go on sale early next year. <br /><br />[Source: The Age]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/ford-wants-new-zealand-safety-ad-pulled/">Ford wants New Zealand safety ad pulled</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:32:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Ford-unhappy-over-antispeed-ads/2007/09/17/1189881389853.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/ford-wants-new-zealand-safety-ad-pulled/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/991145/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/ford-wants-new-zealand-safety-ad-pulled/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Ford Falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>Land Transport New Zealand</category><category>LandTransportNewZealand</category><category>New Zealand</category><category>NewZealand</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Siddharth Raja]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:32:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: 2008 Ford Falcon Orion XR6]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/rendered-speculation-2008-ford-falcon-orion-xr6/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/rendered-speculation-2008-ford-falcon-orion-xr6/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/rendered-speculation-2008-ford-falcon-orion-xr6/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-ford-falcon-xr6-rendering/376612/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/xr6_front_caradvice_10241_o.jpg"  alt="" /></a><br /><em>click above image for high-res version</em><br /><br />Development mules for the upcoming redesign of the Ford Falcon in Australia are not that hard to come by in the land of Oz. CarAdvice has hosted plenty, and decided to let loose an artist on them to create an accurate rendering of what the 2008 Ford Falcon will look like. Shown here is a rendering of the 2008 Ford Falcon XR6 model, one of the many high-performance versions of Ford Australia's rear-wheel drive sedan. After examining all the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/search/?q=spy+ford+falcon">spy shots</a> that we've seen, it's clear to us that this is the most accurate guesstimate of the Falcon's new look that you're likely to find. <br /><br />[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/rendered-speculation-2008-ford-falcon-orion-xr6/">Rendered Speculation: 2008 Ford Falcon Orion XR6</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.caradvice.com.au/5106/2008-ford-falcon-orion-artists-impression-spy-photos-video/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/rendered-speculation-2008-ford-falcon-orion-xr6/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/978777/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/rendered-speculation-2008-ford-falcon-orion-xr6/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2008 Ford Falcon</category><category>2008 Ford Falcon XR6</category><category>2008FordFalcon</category><category>2008FordFalconXr6</category><category>Australia</category><category>Falcon</category><category>Falcon XR6</category><category>FalconXr6</category><category>Ford Falcon</category><category>Ford Falcon XR6</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>FordFalconXr6</category><category>rendering</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Neff]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:01:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford kills Aussie inline 6-cylinder]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/ford-kills-aussie-inline-6-cylinder/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/ford-kills-aussie-inline-6-cylinder/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/ford-kills-aussie-inline-6-cylinder/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/earnings-financials/" rel="tag">Earnings/Financials</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/ford_image30109_b.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />High fuel prices have taken another casualty. This time it's the Australian built Ford inline six-cylinder engine, which will be phased out in 2010 to make way for the Blue Oval's new Duratec V6. Up to 600 employees at the Geelong plant in Melbourne, which builds the old six-cylinder, will be losing their jobs, but some staff are expected to be redeployed elsewhere. <br /><br />Ford cites its new product manufacturing strategy of accessing global economies of scale as the main factor for dropping the engine, but falling demand for Australia's traditional large sedans because of rising fuel prices and impending changes to local emissions standards would also have had a major impact on the decision.<br /><br />The Aussie division is still on track to complete a new R&amp;D center as part of Ford's $1.8 billion Australian investment program, and significant investment programs in new emissions laboratories and wind tunnel technology will continue. <br /><br />The new Duratec engine will be sourced from high volume U.S. engine facilities and there's even talk of the addition of new diesel units for the locally built Falcon and Territory models. <br /><br />[Source: Ford]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/ford-kills-aussie-inline-6-cylinder/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford kills Aussie inline 6-cylinder</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/ford-kills-aussie-inline-6-cylinder/">Ford kills Aussie inline 6-cylinder</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:29:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/ford-kills-aussie-inline-6-cylinder/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/943308/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/ford-kills-aussie-inline-6-cylinder/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>duratec</category><category>Ford Australia</category><category>Ford Falcon</category><category>FordAustralia</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>Inline 6</category><category>Inline6</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Siddharth Raja]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:29:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spy Shots: Best pics yet of Ford's future Holden fighters]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/spy-shots-best-pics-yet-of-fords-future-holden-fighters/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/spy-shots-best-pics-yet-of-fords-future-holden-fighters/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/spy-shots-best-pics-yet-of-fords-future-holden-fighters/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.caradvice.com.au/3211/2008-ford-falcon-orion-interior-and-gt-exposed/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/06/orion_caradvice_27_601.jpg"  alt="" /></a>Seemingly overnight the Australian market has become the holy grail for a pair of U.S. auto giants. That's because both General Motors and Ford are considering taking advantage of rear-wheel drive platforms that have prospered on the island continent by exporting them to new markets, including the U.S. GM, of course, has plans to bring its RWD Zeta platform to the States and use it to underpin the new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/15/autoblog-drives-the-camaro-convertible-concept/">Chevy Camaro</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-gm-rwd-fans-can-rejoice-for-the-pontiac-g8-h/">Pontiac G8</a> and a few other cars that have yet to get the final go-ahead. Ford, meanwhile, is a little behind in that its next generation RWD Falcon sedan has yet to debut. CarAdvice.com.au, however, has been furiously snapping prototypes caught testing, and it just published a trunkful of shots showing prototypes of many Falcon models with less disguise than we've previously seen. <br /><br />Most notable are shots of the FPV Falcons, which truly do look like birds of prey with their sloped noses, Xenon lamps and a braking/tire/wheel combo that should allow them to easily chase down that next meal. Note the hood bulge visible on many of these mules - wonder what's hiding under there. Also shot were more staid models like the Futura, as well as the XR8, which we feel silly calling "staid". <br /><br />While GM's Zeta cars are figuratively crossing the oceans as we speak, the Fords appear to be still packing their bags. It's too early to say how the Falcon's platform will be used by Ford in the U.S. It will likely be the basis of the next-gen Mustang that arrives around 2011, as well as supply the platform for a new Crown Vic. We're of the mind that the current Crown Vic and its ancient Fox platform will continue for some time, and that Ford will introduce a new RWD large sedan inspired by the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/31/fords-big-gun-for-detroit-the-mustang-based-interceptor-concep/">Interceptor Concept</a>. <br /><br />[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/spy-shots-best-pics-yet-of-fords-future-holden-fighters/">Spy Shots: Best pics yet of Ford's future Holden fighters</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:36:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.caradvice.com.au/3211/2008-ford-falcon-orion-interior-and-gt-exposed/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/spy-shots-best-pics-yet-of-fords-future-holden-fighters/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/919068/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/spy-shots-best-pics-yet-of-fords-future-holden-fighters/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>australia</category><category>falcon fpv</category><category>falcon xr8</category><category>FalconFpv</category><category>FalconXr8</category><category>ford australia</category><category>ford falcon</category><category>FordAustralia</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>spy pics</category><category>spy shots</category><category>SpyPics</category><category>SpyShots</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Neff]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:36:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spies spot RWD Ford in Detroit]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/spies-spot-rwd-ford-in-detroit/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/spies-spot-rwd-ford-in-detroit/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/spies-spot-rwd-ford-in-detroit/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.leftlanenews.com/spied-ford-begins-testing-new-rwd-platform-in-america.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/1-may30-falcon.jpg"  alt="" /></a>Looky, looky. Spies from KGP have caught a rear-wheel drive Ford from Australia at Ford's engineering centers in Detroit. In fact, the car appears to be in the process of being unboxed after its long trip from Oz. What does it mean that this car, presumably a rear-wheel drive Falcon prototype, has landed on our shores? Well, let's start speculating. <br /><br />Clearly Ford is the last of the domestic automakers to take advantage of rear-wheel drive's resurgence. Nevertheless, Ford may be planning (we hope) to augment the wildly popular Mustang with a rear-wheel drive sedan. Such a strategy could follow the same path that General Motors has blazed by having Holden, its Australian brand, develop the rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform for export to various international markets including the U.S. We'll see GM's Zeta platform underpin the new Camaro and Pontiac G8 for sure, and possibly other big RWD sedans like the next-gen Impala. Likewise, Ford could be developing Australia's Falcon with international export in mind, meaning left-hand-drive will be a consideration from the get-go, as well as U.S. safety and emissions standards. That RWD platform could then be the basis for the next-gen Mustang, due a year or two after the decade's end, and a large sedan, either a replacement for the Crown Vic (unlikely) or an all-new sedan, possibly inspired by the hot <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/07/detroit-auto-show-ford-interceptor-official-unveiling/">Interceptor Concept</a> from the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. <br /><br />By the way, that entire last paragraph was wishful thinking, as we have no actual evidence Ford is currently developing the next-gen Falcon in this way. Prototypes from other markets show up on U.S. roads all the time, and it really doesn't mean anything in and of itself until an official word comes from Ford. Still, speculating about a production version of the Interceptor is more fun than being told it will never be built at all, so speculate we will.<br /><br />[Source: LLN] <br /><br /><br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/spies-spot-rwd-ford-in-detroit/">Spies spot RWD Ford in Detroit</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 31 May 2007 14:24:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.leftlanenews.com/spied-ford-begins-testing-new-rwd-platform-in-america.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/spies-spot-rwd-ford-in-detroit/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/907692/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/spies-spot-rwd-ford-in-detroit/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>australia</category><category>falcon</category><category>ford falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>interceptor</category><category>rear wheel drive</category><category>rear-wheel drive</category><category>Rear-wheelDrive</category><category>RearWheelDrive</category><category>RWD</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Neff]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2007 14:24:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spy Shots: Australia's 2008 Ford Falcon 'Orion'!]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/03/spy-shots-australias-2008-ford-falcon-orion/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/03/spy-shots-australias-2008-ford-falcon-orion/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/03/spy-shots-australias-2008-ford-falcon-orion/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.caradvice.com.au/2580/2008-ford-falcon-orion-spyshots/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/fordfalcon2008xrreragood.jpg"  alt="" /></a>We've been waiting for Ford to update its aged rear-wheel drive Falcon sedan in Australia ever since Holden started selling its redesigned and well-received Commodore. We haven't heard a peep about the new car until now. An intrepid enthusiast managed to capture two Falcon test mules, one of which is a high-performance XR model, on public roads recently. These are heavily disguised mules with camo cover front and rear, and the drivers never allowed our photographer friend to get ahead of them and snap a shot of either car's front end. The car certainly looks wider than the current model with a giant greenhouse, so we expect the new model will have a few extra cubes of feet inside. <br /><br />Being that the Zeta platform underpinning the Holden Commodore will soon be distributed all over the world under other cars, including the upcoming Camaro and various sedans in the U.S., we're very curious to see how the arrival of Ford's new Falcon in Australia affects the fate of cars elsewhere in the Blue Oval portfolio. It's still very early, so we'll have to let the passing of time do its thing.<br /><br />Thanks for the tip, Dylan!<br /><br />[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/03/spy-shots-australias-2008-ford-falcon-orion/">Spy Shots: Australia's 2008 Ford Falcon 'Orion'!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 03 May 2007 13:23:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.caradvice.com.au/2580/2008-ford-falcon-orion-spyshots/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/03/spy-shots-australias-2008-ford-falcon-orion/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/888131/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/03/spy-shots-australias-2008-ford-falcon-orion/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>australia</category><category>ford falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>spy pics</category><category>spy shots</category><category>SpyPics</category><category>SpyShots</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Neff]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2007 13:23:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Toyota Aurion attempting to tackle Holden and Ford in Australia... again]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/toyota-aurion-attempting-to-tackle-holden-and-ford-in-australia/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/toyota-aurion-attempting-to-tackle-holden-and-ford-in-australia/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/toyota-aurion-attempting-to-tackle-holden-and-ford-in-australia/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a></p><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/aurion-enters-large-car-fight/2006/10/17/1160850908976.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" id="vimage_1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/10/aurion.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Toyota is attempting to breach the large car market in Australia, again. Although past attempts were not exactly stellar, it thinks now it may have what it will take to succeed with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Aurion">Aurion</a>. This large front-wheel drive sedan effectively replaces the lamentable Avalon in the only market segment the company hasn't managed to make a dent in so far. The Toyota Aurion has already been advertised quite heavily and will hit dealerships soon, starting at an MSRP of AUS $34,990, including an electronic stability system, side curtain airbags and a six-speed automatic transmission across the lineup.<br /><br />Since practically the birth of the Australian large car segment, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Commodore">Holden Commodore</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon">Ford Falcon</a> have dominated the market. Challengers from Chrysler, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and even Toyota have failed miserably, partly because of national pride and the fact that rwd seems to rule the roost there. Toyota Australia chairman emeritus John Conomos, admitted that some "traditionalists" will stick with the Falcon and Commodore. Yeah, we think so, too.<br /><br />But Toyota Australia senior executive director of sales and marketing David Buttner downplayed the power of that group of buyers: "The tribalists love tradition and grunt. They've bought the same car for generations, largely determined by what their father bought - or which car won at Bathurst. They are a diminishing sub-segment, accounting for about 20 per cent of the market."<br /><br />Toyota expects to sell around 2,000 Aurions per month, the same target they set for the Avalon at which that vehicle failed miserably. Where the Avalon was a warmed over version of the U.S. Avalon, the Aurion is essentially a Camry with a nose job and rear end redo. The biggest draw, however, is under the hood, where resides an advanced 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces a class-leading 200kW of power. That's 20kW more than the Commodore and 10kW more than the Falcon. And it gets better mileage to boot, achieving an impressive claim of 9.9 litres per 100km traveled. It's worth it to note that Toyota is also planning a supercharged version of the Aurion released under the Toyota Racing Development brand. Good luck Toyota, you're going to need it in that market.<br /><br />Thanks for the tip, SunRay!<br /><br />[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/toyota-aurion-attempting-to-tackle-holden-and-ford-in-australia/">Toyota Aurion attempting to tackle Holden and Ford in Australia... again</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:28:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/aurion-enters-large-car-fight/2006/10/17/1160850908976.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/toyota-aurion-attempting-to-tackle-holden-and-ford-in-australia/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/686345/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/toyota-aurion-attempting-to-tackle-holden-and-ford-in-australia/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Aurion</category><category>Australia</category><category>Bathurst</category><category>David Buttner</category><category>DavidButtner</category><category>Ford Falcon</category><category>FordFalcon</category><category>Holden Commodore</category><category>HoldenCommodore</category><category>John Conomos</category><category>JohnConomos</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Frank Filipponio]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:28:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>