Autoblog

Ford to cease Australian automaking operations after 90 years

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Australia

Ford began manufacturing cars in Australia in 1925 with the Model T. In 2016, Ford will stop manufacturing cars Down Under, including the Falcon and the Territory SUV. Ford Australia CEO Bob Graziano has reportedly confirmed the closure of the company's Broadmeadows assembly plant and the Geelong engine plant, both in the state of Victoria. There will be 650 jobs lost at Broadmeadows, 510 sacrificed at Geelong. Of the roughly 3,000 workers the Blue Oval has in Australia, it's said it will try to retain about 1,000 of them at its R&D and product development facilities.

The writing hasn't just been on the wall, it's been a regular item in all the papers and on Ford's bottom line for years. As recently as 2003, Ford sold nearly 75,000 Falcons, but over the next four years, annual sales dropped by something like 10,000 units, and over the last two years, it has sold less than 20,000 per year. It isn't only Ford that has suffered - sales of the other large, locally produced sedan, the Holden Commodore, have also gone over the precipice, triggering the same kind of angst about Holden's continued existence. Ford is the smallest of Australia's local automakers, Holden and Toyota the others, and has posted losses of $AUD141 million last year ($136M US) and $AUD600 million ($580M US) in the past five years. Graziano said the cost of manufacturing is simply too expensive in the country, twice as high as Europe and three times as high as Asia, and there no way to make a business case for staying in the country.

In January 2012, Ford Australia announced it would stay in the country until at least 2016, but by July of the same year, most outside observers were quietly declaring that 2016 would be the last year of Ford Down Under, and even the speculation was making other observers nervous. Ford received money from the Victorian government last year to aid its refresh of the Falcon and Territory, which will continue on schedule for the 2014 model year. A front- and all-wheel-drive sedan on a global platform is predicted to replace the Falcon, with some other SUV expected to replace the Territory. The company says it still intends to expand its lineup in the country.

As for what will replace the employment hole at the factories and the supplier base, no one is quite sure. Ford has said that the employees will receive their entitlements, and workers do have three years to prepare for what's coming. As well, the state and national governments have already committed tens of millions to a fund to assist the employees.

Ford to cease Australian automaking operations after 90 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford brings FPV Falcon production in house [w/video]

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, Ford, Australia

For the first time since 1976, Ford of Australia is bringing the assembly of its stonking Ford Performance Vehicle line back in-house to the company's Broadmeadows and Geelong facilities. That's a point of pride for FPV, which builds high-performance versions of the Australian Falcon model like the F6, GS and the heroic GT seen here.

In the video below, we hear FPV employees talking in hushed tones about the important legacy that cars like the GT have for Australian gearheads of all stripes, and how proud they are to say that hand-built machines like this GT R-Spec with its Boss 355 engine are now rolling out of their home base. For our part, we're just dying to drive this version of the Coyote V8; the engine is rocking a "Miami" supercharger from Harrop and makes some 450 horsepower.

Continue on below for the video, or you can check out some images of the new FPV at the facility, as well as a gallery of the GT R-Spec car.

Continue reading Ford brings FPV Falcon production in house [w/video]

Ford brings FPV Falcon production in house [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Falcon future unsure as Ford expected to cease AU manufacturing in 2016

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Australia

Ford hasn't said anything about it, but those who predict and those who do business with Ford in Australia expect The Blue Oval to cease production there as of 2016. The primary reason cited is the arrival of Euro 5 emissions standards on November 1, 2016, which are too stringent for the company's bread-and-butter Falcon sedan and Territory crossover to pass. It's been said that it would cost Ford millions to reengineer and retool, but sales of the Falcon sedan have been down for so long now that Ford announced earlier this month that 440 people would be let go from its two plants there.

In fact, Ford's Aussie position has been under threat for years. In 2007 the company announced it would close its Geelong engine plant at a cost of 600 jobs, only to reverse the decision a year later and keep the plant operating. Meanwhile, the value of the Australian dollar, cautious consumers and tariff reductions in the overall market have made imports tougher competition and depressed margins. It is the Falcon's troubles that are especially painful, though, causing a planned production cut of 25 percent in November.

In view of Ford's moves and the company's silence on its plans, suppliers have been rewriting their business plans for a future without Ford Australia, letting go of workers and going into receivership. Ford's departure would mean the loss of 3,000 jobs directly, with more to come in the supply chain and incidental industries. Also lost should this come to be: the legendary rivalry between the Falcon and General Motors' Holden Commodore, not to mention that between Ford Performance Vehicles (the FPV GT from 2008 is pictured above) and Holden Special Vehicles.

The front- and all-wheel-drive Ford Taurus range is expected to replace the rear-wheel-drive Falcon, and an as-yet-unnamed crossover would fill in for the Territory. Ford has had a manufacturing base Down Under since 1925 - leaving the country would mean only General Motors and Toyota remain as domestic producers.

Falcon future unsure as Ford expected to cease AU manufacturing in 2016 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rear-wheel drive Falcon gets five-year committment from Ford

Zach Bowman — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Australia

Fans of the rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon can breath easy, at least until 2016. According to Australia's CarAdvice.com, Ford has announced that automaker will invest $103 million to sustain both the Falcon and Territory SUV through the next five years. The news came courtesy of Ford Australia president Bo Graziano and Ford Asia Pacific president Joe Hinrichs at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Ford is expected to unveil refreshed versions of both the Falcon and the Territory in 2014. The automaker is expected to use the investment to improve the vehicles' efficiency and safety. The cash injection should add around 300 jobs, as well.

Ford Australia will likely focus on aerodynamics, tire adjustments and transmission improvements to eke out better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. A new six-speed automatic gearbox is expected to debut with the new models.

And what happens after 2016? Ford isn't saying, though the company has made it clear Australia will receive a new large car based on a global platform. That vehicle will likely offer buyers both front and all-wheel drive configurations, thereby putting an end to the long-standing rear-wheel drive Falcon lineage.

Rear-wheel drive Falcon gets five-year committment from Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FPV putting concept into production as limited edition GT Black

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Australia

In Australia, a muscled-up showcar has given way to the real thing. Earlier in the year, Ford Performance Vehicles showed off a sinister-looking Falcon GT Sedan, which boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine under the hood. The FPV Concept was shown to the public at the Australian International Motor Show, and the team behind the car were happy with the overwhelming support for the blacked-out brawler. Their thumbs-up reactions helped Ford's Australian brass give the concept car a green light, albeit with limited production.

The end result is called the FPV GT Black, and it's limited to a run of just 125 units. There's only one color choice, and it's staring you in the face right now. Power is supplied by the aforementioned 5.0, which enjoys a bit of forced induction to help push output to around 450 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. All of that twist is available from 2,200 rpm up through 5,500 rpm.

We already know cars in Australia are more expensive then vehicles sold here in the states, and this limited-edition sedan is no exception. Still, we're rather curious how the $74,290 sticker price would translate stateside. Still, this is as close as we'll get to wondering about that, because these sports sedans are staying in Australia. Hit the jump for the official press release.

Continue reading FPV putting concept into production as limited edition GT Black

FPV putting concept into production as limited edition GT Black originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FPV shows off sinister GT-based concept with supercharged 5.0

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Ford of Australia's performance arm, Ford Performance Vehicles, always unveils machines that cause our drool to drip all the way down to the Outback - and we're not talking gimmicky steakhouses here. A new FPV showcar has just been revealed for the Australian International Auto Show in Melbourne, and we're already stuffing our mouth with gauze. It's called the FPV Concept, and it's based on the Ford Falcon GT sedan.

Looking decisively evil in its blacked-out color scheme, the FPV Concept is powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine. Large 19-inch wheels help sort the handling and power, with eight-inch-wide rollers up front and 9.5-inch-wide wheels in the rear. The suspension is track-tuned and in our dreams, the exhaust system has been tuned by Hades himself.

Sadly, this FPV Concept is just another vehicle in a long line of Australian muscle machines Americans will never get to buy. Learn more about this particular one by reading the full press release posted after the jump.

Continue reading FPV shows off sinister GT-based concept with supercharged 5.0

FPV shows off sinister GT-based concept with supercharged 5.0 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Putting the "Ford" in The Blue Oval's new Ranger pickup

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Ford, Australia

Fording with the Ford Ranger - Click above to watch video after the jump

If you're a Ranger fan, the video posted after the jump is going to make you sad. Ford engineers in Australia filmed the new but not-for-U.S.-consumption truck as its water wading capabilities were put to the test. The results were heaps good.

Ford's new Ranger is available in a Hi-Rider version that's capable of, ahem, fording through an impressive amount of water. Starting at a depth of two-inches, the engineers kept pushing until they were driving through 31.5 inches of engine-killing fluid. The two-inch deep pool is used to simulate long puddles, and the truck is run through at 19, 31 and 40 miles per hour. When filled to the max, the test area is traversed at a much slower 4 mph.

In order to achieve these results, Ford raised the air intake and alternator to a spot where they stay above the water line. Crucial components that sit lower are water-proofed. Click past the jump to see the testing in action, and be sure to read more about the Ranger in the full press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Video: Putting the "Ford" in The Blue Oval's new Ranger pickup

Video: Putting the "Ford" in The Blue Oval's new Ranger pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Territory spotted completely naked and production-ready

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Ford, Australia

Sure, Ford has a whole slew of crossovers here in the United States, but what we don't have is a Blue Oval-branded CUV based on rear-wheel drive architecture. For that, you'll have to travel to Australia or New Zealand (or South Africa or Thailand, exported from Oz), where Ford offers the Territory.

Like all Territory models since its introduction in 2004, the 2011 model will be based on the Falcon that we're dying for in the States. Fortunately, as we've seen in previous spy shots and renderings, the next-gen Territory will feature styling that continues to separate itself from the Taurus X-ish looks of the first-gen model, with a completely new front fascia featuring twin gaping maws with bright horizontal chrome strips.

Two powerplants are expected: the turbo-diesel 2.7-liter V6 that can currently be found in the Land Rover Discovery 3 (a.k.a. LR4) and the well-loved 4.0-liter inline six offered in the Falcon. Thanks for the tip, TriShield!

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Ford Territory spotted completely naked and production-ready originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford shows Aussies who's Boss with special FPV Falcon

Noah Joseph — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 11:05:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Australia

FPV Boss 335 GT - Click above for image gallery

There's no shortage of similarities to be found between Australia and the United States. Both are former British colonies flying red, white and blue flags; both are big masses of land divided into states; both have Top Gear spinoffs and share a common affinity for Crocodile Dundee. We could go on, but the key commonality here is love for muscle cars. More than anything, that's what ties these two countries together from opposite ends of the Earth.

General Motors has capitalized on that shared trait by bringing powerful Holdens over to America under Pontiac badges. Arch-rival Ford, meanwhile, has gone the other way, taking a popular American performance badge and slapping it on one of its Australian products.

The result is the Ford Boss 335 GT. Based on the Falcon sedan, Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has given the Boss 335 GT a touch more power than the 2012 Boss 302 Mustang: the 335's supercharged 5.0-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 pumps out 450 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque (compared to the 440hp and 380 lb-ft on the all-motor Boss Mustang). The power's driven to the 19" rear wheels through a six-speed manual and kept in check by oversized, cross-drilled and ventilated Brembo brakes.

FPV's also made sure the special Falcon got all the requisite striping you'd expect from a Boss, and equipped the interior with everything they bad to throw at it. With the American and Australian dollars close to par, though, the $70,000 sticker price may seem a little steep. UNfortunately, this is an exclusively Aussie product, so if you (i.e. our U.S. readers) want to show 'em who's Boss, you'll have to stick to the Mustang. Dang.

Gallery: Ford Boss 335 GT

[Source: FPV via Top Speed]

Ford shows Aussies who's Boss with special FPV Falcon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next Ford Territory caught nearly naked

Zach Bowman — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Ford, Australia

It's becoming harder and harder for manufacturers to hide from the all-seeing eye of the internet. A user with a quick lens over on Ford Forums managed to lay his aperture on a nearly completely uncamo'd example of the new Australian Ford Territory. While the Aussie Blue Oval has been showing off shadowy, stylized photos of the high-rider ahead of its debut, this is probably the best look yet at the new crossover. According to CarAdvice, the next-generation Territory will get its power from a turbo-diesel 2.7-liter V6 engine borrowed from the Land Rover Discovery 3 (a.k.a. LR4). A six-speed automatic transmission will handle shifting detail.

There's also some indication that buyers will be able to opt for an inline six-cylinder gasoline mill if the oil burner doesn't quite suit their wallets. At this point, it's unclear whether Australian buyers will get to play with the new MyFord Touch system that American buyers have been jockeying with in products like the 2011 Ford Edge, but it's a good possibility.

Ford Australia is the midst of a serious product barrage with 85 percent of the company's products receiving significant updates over the next 18 months. Head over to CarAdvice to see the full photos. Thanks for the tip, Andrew!

[Source: CarAdvice]

Spy Shots: Next Ford Territory caught nearly naked originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford marks out bold new Territory for Australia

Zach Bowman — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Ford, Australia, Design/Style

Ford Australia has released a preview of what customers from Down Under can expect from the next-generation Territory. The automaker is using the new crossover to launch a massive refresh program, with 85 percent of the company's wares receiving a significant update over the next 18 months. Along with a more stylish front fascia and aggressively-flared front fenders, the Territory is expected to bring a new turbo-diesel engine to the fray. Unfortunately, the Blue Oval hasn't released any details on power figures or fuel consumption for any of the available power units in the 2011 Territory.

FoMoCo's Australian arm has plenty of big changes headed its way. The company just recently introduced the 2011 Fiesta sedans and hatchbacks, and both the new Focus and global Ranger will be landing on the country's shores within a few months. Needless to say, it's a good time to be a Ford fan in Australia. Something tells us that the suits over at rival Holden are going to be scrambling to keep up the pace over the next year and a half. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford marks out bold new Territory for Australia

Ford marks out bold new Territory for Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Industry analyst says Australian car industry is doomed

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials, Australia

Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of Australia's Dog & Lemon Guide, says there's no way around a central fact of Australian automobile production: "Australia's car factories are losing money on every vehicle they make." Because of that, he believes that there is no future for the domestic car industry Down Under, no matter how much money the government provides to keep factories open.

Matthew-Wilson further believes that General Motors' Holden division will be the first brand thrown into the abyss, trailed closely by Ford. The economics of Australian auto manufacturing, as far as he's concerned, simply don't make sense and GM and Ford's cash drain will force them to shut down their operations there.

''Globally, there's a glut of new cars at bargain prices," he says, "yet Australia, which produces a small number of high cost cars, is trying to compete with countries like China.... The Australian car industry can re-focus on small cars, green cars, blue cars or red cars. None of this will make the slightest difference."

For its part, Holden recently cut production nearly by half, and rumblings are that it, like Saab and Opel and HUMMER, it may soon be looking for a buyer.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald via Carscoop]

Industry analyst says Australian car industry is doomed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Australia saves jobs and inline-6 with big investment

Dan Roth — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Australia

"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. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

[Source: GeelongAdvertiser]

Ford Australia saves jobs and inline-6 with big investment originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say it ain't so: Ford Falcon could go front-wheel drive

Dan Roth — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Australia, FPV

"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."

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.

Continue reading Say it ain't so: Ford Falcon could go front-wheel drive

Say it ain't so: Ford Falcon could go front-wheel drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford releases specs on new FPV Falcons

John Neff — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Australia

Click above for high-res gallery of the new FPV Falcon F6

Ford is getting ready for a battle in Australia for the hearts and minds of performance enthusiasts. Its new FPV Falcons will go head to head with what HSV offers from Holden, and today the Blue Oval from Down Under released officials specs for its souped up, gnarly-looking rear-wheel-drive sedans. First we have the F6, which is powered by the familiar turbocharged 4.0L straight-six engine now producing 416 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque at just 1,950 rpm. That's a 54-horsepower increase over the prior straight six, and matches up surprisingly well with Ford's other engine offering, the 5.4L Boss V8 producing 422 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque at a loftier 4,750 rpm. The Boss motor can be had in the GT E, GT-P and GT sedans, as well as the Super Pursuit and Pursuit Ute. The exceptional straight-six meanwhile, is only offered in the F6 sedan and ute.

Let's compare what Ford revealed today with the offerings from Holden's HSV. Currently the Clubsport R8 is HSV's most high-performance sedan, and it's powered by an LS3 6.2L V8 producing 425 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Ford has pretty much matched HSV in the motor department then, and the new Falcon looks like it might weigh less to boot. But HSV dropped a bomb at the Melbourne Motor Show named the HSV W427, which is a version of the Clubsport R8 powered by GM's LS7 V8 producing 496 horses and 472 pound feet of torque. Hopefully Ford Australia has an answer for that up its sleeves, too.

Click below to view FPV's new performance vehicles and check out Ford's official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 FPV F6

Gallery: 2008 FPV GT

Gallery: 2008 FPV Super Pursuit

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford releases specs on new FPV Falcons

Ford releases specs on new FPV Falcons originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Oz to pick up Focus production in 2011

Siddharth Raja — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Earnings/Financials

The consumer shift away from large gas guzzling vehicles has forced auto manufacturers in Australia, the land of large RWD saloons, to rethink and realign their production plans. Ford's Aussie subsidiary is boasting that it'll be the first automaker Down Under to respond to the movement towards smaller vehicles by starting production of its own small car locally.

In 2011, production of the next-gen Ford Focus hatchback will kick off at Ford's Campbellfield plant in the Australian state of Victoria, where it'll join production of the new Falcon sedan and Territory SUV. The move will create 300 new jobs at the plant but doesn't come soon enough to save 600 workers at Ford's Geelong engine plant who last week found out the plant is closing in 2010.

Ford will build up to 40,000 units per year of the new small hatch, with 15,000 cars earmarked for export to New Zealand and South Africa, with even more countries expected to be announced closer to the beginning of production. Export deals are vital to make a good business case for Australian built cars. Both Toyota and GM Holden also export cars built on the island continent.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford Oz to pick up Focus production in 2011

Ford Oz to pick up Focus production in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford kills Aussie inline 6-cylinder

Siddharth Raja — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Earnings/Financials

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.

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.

The Aussie division is still on track to complete a new R&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.

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.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford kills Aussie inline 6-cylinder

Ford kills Aussie inline 6-cylinder originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Australia plans production of third model

Siddharth Raja — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Ford

Ford's Australian subsidiary pales in comparison to its European and American divisions but the small Aussie outcrop has over the years produced some of the best vehicles within the Blue Oval's global empire, including a unique RWD V8-powered saloon and a midsized SUV. We may soon be able to add a third car to that list, as execs down under are hoping to another model to their production line.

Consumers in Australia, faced with rising fuel prices and increasing congestion in major cities, are turning away from the traditional large family cars in droves and are heading towards smaller and more economical compacts. Unfortunately, Ford has to rely on expensive imports to satisfy that demand, but According to Drive, production of a third model is being considered to fill the gap.

There's no word on what this third model will be but the smart money is on it being one of Ford's European stars, either the Focus or Fiesta models, which could arrive as knocked down kit cars to be assembled locally.

We wonder if a small European compact can save Ford's production in the land of Mad Max and the V8 Interceptors.

[Source: Drive]

Ford Australia plans production of third model originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Best pics yet of Ford's future Holden fighters

John Neff — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:36:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Ford

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 Chevy Camaro, Pontiac G8 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.

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".

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 Interceptor Concept.

[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]

Spy Shots: Best pics yet of Ford's future Holden fighters originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fiesta XR4 launches in the land of Oz

Alex Nunez — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Ford

Click image for hi-res gallery

All the B-car hubbub this weekend centered around the nifty new Mazda2, which we seriously hope to see in the US at some poin tin the future. At Australia's Melbourne International Motor Show, however, Ford showed off its tried-and-true Fiesta in that market's XR performance trim. The Fiesta XR4, looking very swank in it's decidedly Shelby-looking blue-on-white stripe package, is really just a rebadged Euro-market Fiesta ST.

That's no bad thing, as the small hatch (it's slotted below the Focus) pumps out 150 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque from its 2.0-liter four cylinder. The only transmission offered on the XR version is a five-speed manual, and we're confident that the car's target audience wouldn't have it any other way. Very snazzy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber combine with great-looking factory bodywork to create an attractive and desirable overall package.

This settles it: we're moving to Australia. It's not enough that they get their killer home-market Ford rear-drivers like the FPV GT, but they get the best stuff Ford of Europe has on offer as well (Fiesta, Focus)? We give up. This weekend, it was announced that Australia's getting the new Mondeo, too. Talk about a glut of riches.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford Australia]

Gallery: 2007 Ford Fiesta XR4 (AUDM)

Continue reading Ford Fiesta XR4 launches in the land of Oz

Ford Fiesta XR4 launches in the land of Oz originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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