So your the CEO: what would you change with Falcon?

[XRDeeze]

Bring out an F6 coupe weight: 1.4 tn 350 kw power hello 10 sec car ^.^

[GASWAGON]

Bring out an LPG 'specific' 4.0 litre I6 model that has close to petrol economy figures for lower running cost with 'the same' power/torque figures as petrol......Oh hang on.... they FINALLY did it this year and it's on the showroom floor next week lol.....Lets hope it works!

[Yellow_Festiva]

I would be looking at making the Falcon cheaper to build. Design parts that can be shared acrosss several models (or parts that can be easily adapted, especially parts you don't generally see) and this will save money in many areas.

[jpd80]

I would push for next Mondeo and Escape/Kuga to be built at Broadmeadows along side Falcon and Territory.

A locally built Mondeo and Escape would make both vehicles far more popular and most
likely result in sales around 750/mth and 1200/mth respectively, improving production
while providing vehicles with +$30,000 price tags.

If the next Falcon/Territory business case was valid, approve it and ensure the vehicles
are as efficient as possible with I-4 EB, V6 diesel and petrol and V8 engines.

If next Falcon is to be FWD/AWD, I would make sure FoA develops it off the next Mondeo
and has AWD, I-4 and V6 diesels as well as V6 NA and V6 EB, it and Mondeo eminently
suitable for export to Asia and the ROW,(large car replacing D3 Taurus)
If next Territory is not viable, have FoA build Explorer here and engineer V6 diesel variants.

[GS608]

I'd drop XT but keep G6 G6E and G6E Turbo, younger buyers are flocking to the name plate which is something Holden had cornered with the Calais. A lot of people mid 30's want a stylish looking executive car that still has a bit of poke..nobody would buy a Fairmont Ghia Turbo..the older generation won't want a Turbo and the younger generation won't want a Fairmont.

- Keyless (proximity) start across the range
- Bring Ford Sync over here
- Realign RRP so an XR6 doesn't have a sticker price of $45k
- Diesel
- EcoLPI across the range including the G6ET/XR6T

[adza]

I wouldn't change the car at first, I would advertise the product better.

As bad as some of the Holden ads are, at least they are showing the product to the consumer.

I cannot remember the last time I saw a Ford ad :(

[GS608]

Originally Posted by adza

I wouldn't change the car at first, I would advertise the product better.

As bad as some of the Holden ads are, at least they are showing the product to the consumer.

I cannot remember the last time I saw a Ford ad :(

I can..a new Focus ad yesterday..was about how quick the car is with the new DSG powershift

[winman]

-prevent the axing of the falcon name plate in the years to come
-if the above can not be achieved, bring in the tarsus as fleet car, and the mustang as the fpv car. after all what would the greatest Aussie muscle maker be with out a V8 in its line up.
-coupe shape as an option for fpv cars that is also significantly lighter then the current line up.
-real rust prevention in the falcon line up
-FPV cars with major body panels in alloy

[FalconXV]

Trial an aspirated 4cyl version of the ecoboost 4 for Falcon. Might be a bit lethargic, but cheap to develop since most of it is going to be there soon. Also, the Focus GDi engine is pretty powerful for a 2.0. This could push the RRP below $30k, instantly make the Falcon more relevant to other markets and bolster the business case for the next model.
With a variable valve lift and better intake manifold, it could be quite torquey.
To offset this, slightly shorter final drive, first gear, or even use the new DSI 8 speed. I'd be adding features it should have now like auto windows on all 4, etc.

As a last hurrah for the platform, adopt the more advanced shift strategy from other cars that use the ZFHP26 i.e. Maserati Quattroporte for switchable throttle blip feature and stop-start. A fully stripped out FPV with no radio, lighter seats, and a tuned NA 4.0 (to send it off) with chromed alloy intake runners, 6 throttle bodies and manual only would be a ripping special edition. stickers in lieu of badges etc. Like a Falcon GT3.

If the Falcon is going to die, then I guess we want a car we can export to ASEAN countries like Thailand etc. They have the Ranger, Focus, Fiesta etc covered, and we still need a ute ( after all we invented it), so maybe adopt Focus instead, Focus based ute could be a new 1 tonner. (As someone mentioned earlier, our engineers can do it!) . Niche products off common components could become FoA's M.O, if Dearborn doesn't have a solid strategy.
A car based Focus ute with a torquey TDCi ( the 150kW 2.2 euro modeo has) would be killer.
A 4.0 V6 powered Focus would be the new performance hero, regardless of which end it drives.
Call it Falcon lol.

I'd be trying to plead Dearborn to make the next gen FWD floorpans interchangeable with Mustang/ RWD parts so FoA can still have it's own R&D. Geelong needs to be re-tasked if it's to stay open, and given the international projects Ford Oz have been involved in, maybe it could become a hybrid hub or something like that.

I strongly believe an LPG hybrid would be a brilliant thing, Korea have done it, and given our taxis use LPG already, it would be a good idea, IMO.

I don't think having an American at the helm provides a rosy outlook, though. Someone who is sentimental towards the history of the Falcon, and fully understands our culture would be able to future proof Broadmeadows much better.

Whatever happens, I hope FoA innovates and creates some radical and exciting products, rather than accepts it's fate and shut down.

[fou_bleu]

I'd push like hell for a RWD/AWD chassis to be developed for the next-gen Falc/Terry, Taurus/Explorer & Mustang - and then a LWB RWD/AWD version can be utilised at some company called Lincoln for a car they could call... I dunno... Continental?

Oh & not just some bastardised mash of the E8 & D3 platforms either - an all-new aluminium spaceframe platform FTW! (I know, 2 chances! :P)

Engine wise, we're half-way there IMO - the 3.7 V6 will be fine, as will the 2.7 / 3.0 TDV6 (Falcon / Territory) and 5.0 V8...

If all else fails, or even in conjunction with, do some research into which models would be most viable to build in Aus (if any! :S)- Focus + Escape, Terry + Explorer, Ranger etc...

[imugli]

I actually don't mind the idea of taking Falcon back to it's glory days with a bit of retro.

Not too much, but enough to be able to draw the link. Enough to remind people that Ford once made the fastest 4 door car in the world (instead of leaving it to Shannons). Enough to remind them that Mad Max's XB was based on a real car, not some clay model developed by a couple of industrial design grads who probably weren't around when the original came out.

For all that we heap **** on the bogans that put Chev badges on their Commodores, it's a "halo" within the bogan community. Ford don't have that.

Ford went from the XRGT to the HOs to the XA/B/C coupes to the ESP 5.8s to nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nothing. They went from balls and all to grandpa mobiles. OK so we have the GT / GTP now, but when you compare them to the std Falcons, do they really hold a candle to the REAL GTs when you compare them to the std XYs?

Ford need to remind people that they used to make the biggest baddest phattest cars on the road. They need to remind people that their car, the XA HO IV, was the reason for the supercar scare. There needs to be some "passion" put back in the car and stirred in buyers. A bit of retro mongrel in the styling and a few "F*&k you" kw's may do just that.

Even if that's not where the bulk of sales are now, it would create a halo effect. Just as people who can't afford a HSV buy an SV8 and put chev badges on it. People who can't afford a Malloo buy an SV6 and drop that on it's **** instead. They're Halo vehicles and I don't think FoA has one right now... The Black COULD be it if we see it in FG2. COULD be. But it needs to sit above the rest of the range, not simply be a sticker pack.

[imugli]

Just thought about it some more...

Something like the 300+ coupe would have been to the AU. A Balls out, shove that up your clacker, halo car.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

I would be looking at making the Falcon cheaper to build. Design parts that can be shared acrosss several models (or parts that can be easily adapted, especially parts you don't generally see) and this will save money in many areas.

They have been doing that, alot more with FG coming out.

[FalconForce]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Doesn't matter anyway whatever they do its wrong according to people on here.

agreed, they could put every suggestion in this thread in some sort uber-car and most of the people on this forum (myself included) would point out whats wrong with it

[jpd80]

The point is that one car (Falcon) can no longer do everything like it used to and be all things to all people.
There's so much more competition out there these days that Ford has to diversify products and use
all of its international resources to stay profitable and in front of buyers. It's no longer a case of build it and
people will automatically buy it, the market is now so fragmented that buyers can go select vehicles that feel
like they have been designed specifically for their needs, gone are the days of a big car satisfying everyone...

All Ford can ever hope to do with Falcon is reset its parameters to pick up maximum volume balanced
with a purchase price that makes sense with local production while keeping the whole deal economically viable.
Sure you could build a much cheaper Falcon that runs I-4s and V6s, costs less and roomy like a Mondeo
but is that what buyers are really wanting, after all that effort do buyers still want something else?

I'd hate to be in FoA CEO's shoes, winning back a receding market is hard enough but when your
competition seems to have you out flanked with public opinion, it's made doubly harder.

[davenl5l]

change g6e to fairmont.g6et to titanium ( because ford stupidly sold the ghia name ) and yes bring back the wagon with a v8 and a turbo 6 option

[Chilliman]

Instead of dwelling on past glories or fanatising about twin-turbo, supercharged, V10 GTHO Phase VIII Falcons I prefer to work with what we are most likely to get; an enlarged CD4 platform car that will also be the basis for the Taurus...and from such a car I am hoping for the following:

1. That it is still made here
2. It contains the best technology from around the Ford world (cause quite frankly its the only thing that gets the general public excited about cars these days)
3. There is still a performance version in the line-up - I'm thinking AWD, 3.5L V6 EcoBoost for motorvation and at least the option of a manual gearbox.
4. V8 enthusiasts can have the Mustang

[cartaa100]

best mates uncle was ceo of ford for quite a while! helped with the territory alot! unfortunately he passed and apparently all ford did was give his wife a brand new focus and sent her on her way.... obviously they supported her through the time but yeah just saying

[Rusty62]

They need to bring back the Fairlane or at least add more luxury to the GTE. I'm waiting for FG2 GTE, but test drove a HSV Grange, a lot less performance yes, but well and truly more luxurious than anything Ford has to offer IMO.

[ILLaViTaR]

I'd make LPG the primary fuel and successfully change Australias opinion on a misunderstood fuel. If it worked it'd destroy the competition too.

[FPVGT500]

Ive always thought of a F8 Hurricane thats a twin turbo 8, and a real FPV GT-R spec that takes on this Nissan R35. Also optional IRS on the Utes

[pottery beige]

factory door sales heavily discounted new vehicles with no warranty...... no need to deal with frauds fd up dealer kents ever..

[Terror_Tree]

Get a better marketing department
Get a better marketing department
Ford Aus have all these great cars, but nobody knows about them

I would also have

Diesel Falcon

2 door FPV GTHO ( I know I'm dreaming)

AWD Falcon Ute

[fordfreak1]

gee i hope the guys at ford read this thread. bloody good thread i say.

BUT the question is.......if i was the CEO, well i would be reading this exact thread.

[prydey]

i hope 90% of the people in this thread never become ford CEO. it would go down the girgler quicker than any manufacturer before it.

[DBourne]

Not sure of everyone elses replies, but if I was Fords CEO, I'd simply turf the marketing department, get a whole new one in, and tell them to market the damn thing.

Holden bring out a new door handle and we hear how awesome it is and how just by touching it your family will live forever in peace.

Ford have an amazing lineup of cars and MAYBE, just MAYBE we get a 20 second add that shows a dog barking at the stereo..

[Wretched]

1) Get better product planners.
2) Utilise the One Ford program more, use more out of the Ford parts bin, includes using better technologies that are already available in other models.
3) Listen to the market (ties in with 1)
4) Increase value for money
5) Focus on quality, if required move assembly offshore.
6) Market the vehicle better

[atec77]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Lets do something fun, lets pretend you have been given the job of CEO of Ford Australia, what would you do to improve Falcon sales, and all you could do was make (relatively) inexpensive changes to the lineup, including changes to variants, options, trim levels, etc. So ignoring things like marketing and dealers.

Would you make LPG availale on everything, Get rid of XT to focus the range, bring in a model below XT etc?? Its all harmless fun, but I guess there is a serious aspect to it in the current climate...What I would do:

*Align RRP closer to actual transaction prices so your not giving prospective buyers sticker shock.

*Give base Falcon ute an extra inch of ground clearance so it no longer looks like a toy ute

*Make the 3 seater, column auto an option on the entire XR ute range to steal sales from dual cabs and to give it a point of difference from the SS utes

*Replace the G6 name with Fairmont and GGE name with Fairmont Ghia, broaden Falcons appeal so that the XR goes for the younger crowd and the Fairmont range goes for the older crowd.

*Bring back the RTV ute, this time with Downhill Descent Assist (stolen from the Territory, a simple ABS program in the ECU).

*Bring back the XR8

*Introduce the G8E (crazily in 2011 with petrol prices and the environment etc, I feel the V8 is more important long-term for the Falcon than most other things, I feel the Falcon's greatest hope is to align itself closer to the premium/sports sedan segment rather than the churn and burn fleet market)


So what are your suggestions? Not to be a dig at what Ford is doing wrong but more about positive suggestions from enthusiasts.

I can see imho over the years the Falcon got way to big , over the last several decades adding 300 or 400 kilo’s made the car loaded in every way and meaning , I would like to see a decent wagon added into the range again perhaps based on the ute / crew cab , the new 4 pot ,a turbo diesel , a good I6 and a v8 all with an auto std and a 6 speed manual option . Having a common RWD base with additions in a lighter car has to improve fuel economy and performance , the Fairlane was a great car but having a common wheel base with several levels of luxury optioned over the basic car will reduce initial costs and certainly will provide several advantages in cost and weight . Quality seems to be an issue which can be attended to on the line with simple mechanical fit and finish being attended to , injected lpg should be an option across the models along with considerations in colour and upgrading to better driveline on low interest factory finance.
Certainly the marketing dept. needs a kick in the groin and placement on low salary and a performance bonus , there are problems with the stealers who need admission to the performance and fairness concept with penalties on failure and reasonable fixed price servicing , after all if you p&*s off the customers your business will fail
I can see the Euro car company’s charge a premium for service and quality which I will pay but the feeling that I am about to be bent over needs to disappear from the Ford stealers , some of the conversations with the service depts. Have gone badly with a change in attitude needed or like so many others I won’t be supporting the brand any longer

[BrisVegas]

Put the 3.7 V6 in the Falcon. There's a perception in the market, that the Falcon is a dinosaur/taxi. It doesn't matter if it's actually more efficient and driveable than the Holden v6, the perception is that the Holden is newer tec. The V6 would allow the front overhang to be shortened and would improve the weight distribution.

The ecoboost version of that motor would make for a handy XR6T.

Bring the interior tech in the Falcon up to par with the Focus & Fiesta.

Get real with RRP. The depreciation numbers would immediately improve!

[blue sleeper]

Something real simple.... Find a way to make it weigh 200kg's less.

Yes I know it's pie in the sky but it would help in so many areas a LOT!