Global platform to secure next-generation Falcon

FORD executives in Detroit have confirmed that the company is developing a new rear-wheel drive large car platform in Australia for worldwide application.

The rumoured global RWD development program involving Broadmeadows has not previously been acknowledged officially, but new company CEO Alan Mulally and other top executives broke their silence on Tuesday in a pre-Detroit show media briefing.

They revealed that Ford is definitely developing new rear-drive large cars for the Ford and Lincoln brands.

However, while Australia is expected to play a central role in development of the new platform, production of the US models will take place in North America – as is the case with GM’s Holden-developed Chevrolet Camaro.

“Yes, we’re working on a rear-wheel drive plan for the enterprise,” said global product chief Derrick Kuzak. “It’s in the plan.”

Left: Ford global product chief Derrick Kuzak.

Mr Mulally, who is understood to have initiated the program after seeing the success of GM-Holden’s similar program, told journalists at the dinner that “it’s important going forward” to develop new RWD models.

The Ford Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car are based on a platform that is now more than 30 years old and sales are slowing. With new RWD competition from modern cars such as the Chrysler 300 and the Australian-built Commodore clone Pontiac G8, that decline is likely to continue.

Ford is also due to replace its rear-drive Mustang in 2011 and the Falcon platform would be ideal for that.

Editor-in-chief of top-selling US magazine Motor Trend, Angus McKenzie, who is an expatriate Australian, says that Ford wants an all-new RWD large car for North America by 2011 or 2012 and that Mr Mulally looked at what GM was doing with Holden and asked, ‘Why can’t we do that?’.

He said that the proposed joint development not only solves the US dilemma, but also Australia’s next-generation Falcon, which is expected in 2013.

Development will include an SUV application to ensure the future of Ford Australia’s Territory, giving the US brands the opportunity of producing four-wheel drive sedans for markets affected by snow and ice.

The US program could also result in the return to Australia of the long-wheelbase Fairlane and LTD, although they would probably be built in the US or assembled at Broadmeadows from stampings imported from Detroit.

Ford global manufacturing chief Joe Hinrichs said there was no plan to consolidate RWD production in Australia.

“There are good reasons not to – currency, freight,” Mr Hinrichs said at the dinner.

A Ford Australia spokesperson said that Australia’s role in the proposed development and production program has yet to be formally defined, but pointed out that we are “a centre of excellence in the Ford world for rear-wheel drive sedans”.

As well as having a strong reputation for the Falcon, Ford Australia has rapidly expanded its design and engineering facilities in recent years and won kudos for international programs such as the Fiesta sedan for India.

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