Ford Australia’s global RWD platform in doubt
March 25, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
With the U.S. economy in serious trouble, car companies have had to reshuffle their plans for the next few years. One of the many negatives resulting from a weakening U.S. dollar (and the strong Aussie dollar) is the declining profitability of exports.
News from Detriot today has brought Ford Australia fans some bad news, according to Bryce Hoffman from the Detroit News, Ford Motor Co. is bringing its rear-wheel-drive development back to the United States.
The Falcon platform has been the blue oval’s global RWD platform for some time, although Ford Australia has not enjoyed the export success of its main rival Holden.
But with reports today suggesting that Ford America has already given the green-light for an American designed vehicle platform to form the basis for a new generation of rear-wheel-drive cars, the future of the Aussie icon is not looking good.
The new RWD platform is destined to be the basis for numerous Ford and Lincoln sedans, it will also be used for the all-new Ford Mustang. The report goes as far as to say the next generation Ford Falcon will also make use of the American designed RWD platform.
But don’t panic just yet, none of these cars will see the light of day for at least another 3-4 years.
“On rear-wheel-drive, as we have already stated, we are working on a new platform and portfolio of vehicles,” Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s global head of product development, said Friday. “We will have more to say in the future.”
The loss for Ford Australia could be huge, potentially leaving Holden as the only Australian manufacturer that designs and builds its own platforms. That doesn’t seem to worry Ford America though as the need for a cheap and reliable RWD platform is crucial. Analysts have blamed the currency conversion rates as the main cause.
“You don’t save any money with Australian dollars anymore, there are economies of scale in engineering too.” said Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics LLP in Birmingham
According to Hall many Americans are starting to get sick of FWDs, opting to go back to traditional RWD cars.
“Americans have had 28-plus years of being hit over the head with the idea that front-wheel-drive is better, but there are segments of the market — here and abroad — that want rear-wheel-drive. They (Ford) need it for China, they need it for the Middle East and they need it for North America if they want to sell to certain enthusiasts.”
It’s not all bad news for Ford Australia though, there is a good possibility that Ford will follow in GM’s footsteps and export its Aussie built large sedans. The Falcon could indeed be sent to the U.S. and the middle-east within the next few years as the manufacturer pushes to simplify its global vehicle lineup.
The one message that is crystal clear out of all the confusion, is that Ford America’s market research is showing that Americans are starting to feel the need for RWD cars again.
Source: Detroit News.
Print it: 
FFS why is every article seems to be hijacked by the FORD vs TOYOTA thing even when an article has nothing to do with the other, especially in other articles talking about lets say a Ferrari or something in those lines, this shyte creeps up. blardy h3ll get over it.
Its turning into the drive website blog drivel
Joober this is a Ford article and should be directing talk about Ford not toyleta BS, blame TP & Dingo as usual for wrecking a good conversation…….I agree some people belong at drive.com exactly where demented thoughts belong…….
Agree heaps with TP….most engine wear occurs on start up, this is a fact (I always never get in the car and start it up and leave straightaway as let it warm up a fair bit and take it easy on first driving off).
I actually like TP’s input irrespective how cutting he gets or warped beliefs and after he is is exactly the same as everybody to a degree that he attacks people just as we all do (boys toys, cars and testosterone leads for this brew)……… otherwise we’d all agree, drive the same cars and do the same things and every car review would be identical. Like most of you know I seriously am not out and out for one car maker and do see that variety is the spice of life…………………I think we should all get rid of that “I was weaned up on one car maker as that is how was brought up from a kid mentality”!
I agree Maximuff. I don’t have a problem with TP except when he’s wrong. I make mistakes but i’ll always admit them.
I always let the engine idle for about a minute whilst I put the seatbelt on and nag the kids. never rev it too hard for aabout 2 or 3 minutes. The oil tends to circulate within seconds of start up so theres never too much damage and modern oild are designed to coat the surfaces to prevent wear.
see yah mate.
Monthly sales will be out soon so i wonder who the judges -THE AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER – will nominate as thier most preferred manufactuer … Toyota, Holden or Ford !!
Gee, it’s gonna be close because only 66 000 in 2006 and 90 000 units in 2007 separated first place with second which is a pitance really.
ps – Falcon is Australia’s most unreliable and poorest quality locally manufactuered car … another bloody good reason to buy an Aurion.
OH WHAT A FEELING … TOYOTA
oh yeah im killing myself, where are those claims proven? falcon is actually a good product, VE has had more recalls than falcon, even camry of late had been roughed up a little.
Its guys like you that start panic and make these places close, 380 was an equal product to your beloved aurion yet due to consumer scaring it was halted.
What makes aurion so good then? i have loked an numerous falcons, commodores and aurios and cant see the quality difference that toyota has? please explain?
Monthly sales will be out soon so i wonder who the judges -THE AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER – will nominate as thier most preferred manufactuer …Ford or Holden !!
Gee, it’s gonna be close because only 66 000 in 2006 and 90 000 units in 2007 separated first place with second which is a pitance really.
ps – Toyota Aurion is Australia’s most unreliable and poorest quality locally manufactuered car … another bloody good reason to buy a New Falcon or Mazda6 or even Lancer, Toyota Aurions are for your grandparents and fleet sales….
OH WHAT A DOG … TOYOTA
The new Falcon design is disappointing to say the least. If the Falcon faithful ever wake up, they will realise, that the Mondeo is the far superior car in all aspects (even in interior room and boot space) other than straight line performance. Ford has the chance to finally run with a decent family car that can match Toyota and Holden in the quality stakes. I say manufacture the Mondeo in Australia and let the Falcon become extinct like the dinosaur it is.
Its exciting to read through all the comments and found out that we all are car enthusiast. I think we should all agree that we all have a passion towards cars and some of us have even a passion towards a particular brand (Mitsubishi for me)!!
I really believe that there is no meaning of putting others down and praise you own up and find as much bad things for others to prove that your own is superior. Different people have different thoughts (as Ford ads say “we are all different”) so different brands has their strengths and weakness. Let’s put Mitsubishi as an example, I always think that their designs are brillant, but there are just too many issues with their cars in the past that it piss people off too much (but hey its like 10 years ago?), I still got friends telling me that Mitsu’s cars are just a bunch of crap….. So y don’t we look ahead and agree with wht each others have to say about wht we love and always support? Sales is not everything so does passion, some manufacturers have got the balance right, and some might have pay more attention to one than the other, so let’s all be nice to each other and let this car world be as exciting as it can be!
Imagine that if there is only one car company in this world, do you think they will still improving their products? Let’s keep on supporting out Beloved brands !!
Tonyn – go to the leaked Australian Quality Survey and without skirting around the issue repeat to the rest of us bloggers how the Falcon and Commodore faired in the Family Car Segment.
And you know whats good about this survey – it’s compiled by non-other then the manufactuers themselves for the manufactuers and not intended for public viewing so i believe it would be about as accurate as they come.
cheers
where is this survey, and why not bring it here yourself?
Falcon and commodore are not the best at build quality, but i think falcon is a better built car than commodore, ive had the pleasure of driving th FG and have to say i think its interior is light years ahead of what toyota serves up, and commo for that matter.
Give me the link, and ill bring what it says here…. and if this report is so good why isnt the public supposed to see it, is it from a credidable source???
I dont skirt around issues guess who, its you and your toyota mates that skirt around ans try to bamboozle people, it starts about the car, then goes to reliability, then TRD, then ends up in lexus and everyone is confused….. where is the link??
Well said Tonyn!!!
Sick of these Toyota goons hijacking unrelated blogs.
They need to to talk to the cult leader Mr Wantabe about their slipping quality.
Haven’t seen an Aurion Taxi yet.
Come time to turn the current fleet over I am sure the FG will take their place.
on the subject of TP his personal attacks are the product of a school boy or an Accountant who has yet to grow up.
ive driven an FG XR8 and have to say much better than the Ba XR ute i have! i have a GTE on order and itching to get it here!
And just for the record, i drive a commodore at the min and for a few months before that i drove an aurion, so im not completly bias….. im in a skoda for evaluation and after that i will have a VW jetta so i can speak from experience! the FG is as good as the euros
Good to hear that the Falcon is “World Class”.
Falcon. The Great Australian Road Car!!!!
Tonyn,
was it the XR8 ute that you drove?
i just came across a press release where ford australia has denied the rumour that the RWD program will be shifting back to the US
Dingo, have you been to au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/ Don’t you think You’ll be happier there?
Mitsubishi OZ is officially dead this weekend so its FORD AND HOLDENS turn next. See yu in Hell holden and ford.
You’re not the same BK on here are you?
Stop skirting the issue and check out the link. The fact is people, you know as much as i do that Holden and Ford received a VERY POOR REPORT CARD while Toyota got a MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better one !!
And while i am at it … tell me how the link in NON-FACTIONAL !!
Truth be told, i am running rings around you lads with supported evidance while you the best shots from yourselves in return in total crap … PERIOD !!
OH WHAT A FEELING … TOYOTA
ps. we all know who the losers are … don’t we !!
cheers
Oz – i am as happy as a pig in sh8t right here doing what i am doing … with a coldie in my hand of course.
Cheers
nye, nye time so that i am not a grump dog tomorrow.
Is this all you can do Dingo/Laughing Dingo/Mikka/Dingo Mikka/Toyota Buff/Guess Who AKA Guess Who/I’m Killing Myself/Oh What A Feeling/(and more)? Just spruck on about how toyota is better than Ford & Holden, I acknowledge that is true Toyota a selling well. But why continue to spruck it all the time?
Why not … !!
from drive blogs:
Locals lag on quality
Once again, Japanese manufacturers have come out on top in an independent quality and customer satisfaction survey.
The WA survey of 7000 owners covers the top ten selling brands in the local market and Japanese brands filled the top six places.
Both Ford and Holden finishing below the industry average, just above Hyundai and Kia.
The survey looks at four elements: vehicle quality/reliability, vehicle appeal, ownership costs and service satisfaction, with the most weighting given to quality and vehicle appeal.
If you take out the other elements and look at quality alone, Hyundai actually turns the tables on Holden and Ford.
The survey was compiled for the Royal Automotive Club of WA by leading automotive market researcher, J.D. Power, which has been surveying the US market for some time now on behalf of the manufacturers.
Hopefully, the WA survey is the beginning of a better deal for Australian consumers. JD Power is talking to other motoring organisations with a view to surveying their membership. If it happens, Australian car buyers will no longer be in the dark about which brands build the most reliable cars.
Until then, consumers will continue to get a raw deal from car manufacturers, who have all this information at their fingertips but refuse to publish it.
JD Power contends the carmakers here are cutting off their nose to spite their face because the US surveys have actually helped some US manufacturers improve their quality.
Once the spotlight is turned on them, the poor performing brands have to acknowledge that quality is an issue and make building better cars a top priority.
And the proof is in the pudding.
In JD Power’s latest US study, local brand Buick has tied with Lexus for first place. A few years ago it would have been unthinkable that any US brand would have topped a quality and reliability survey.
If Holden and Ford’s US parents can see the sense in publishing quality figures, why can’t the locals.
Posted on August 17, 2007 09:09 AM
where is toyota mentioned in this? where are the results? i couldnt find them??
Seriuosly Tonyn – how many times must i say it – this is absloutely unbelieveable …. for the results, go to page 6 … PAGE 6 !!!
Now … correct me if i am wrong but Toyota eithet fairs ABOVE AVERAGE or DOMINATE in each and every segment wheras Holden scores BELOW AVERAGE hence FAILS in each and every category … AM I WRONG !!
That said, Ford doesn’t fair much better – do they !!
And … how many wooden spoons do Holden and Ford between them receive … HEAPS !!
Now that you have read page 1 – read the other 5 – in detail even if it does tear your heart out !!
Top secret! The quality survey every car buyer must see
Richard Blackburn, The Sydney Morning Herald, 11/05/07
Page 6 of 6 | Single Page
The results of an independent quality survey conducted every six months for car makers have never been made public. Until now. RICHARD BLACKBURN reports in this Drive exclusive.
The other surprise of the survey was the Australian-built Toyota Camry, which ranked highest for quality in its class- against Japanese-built opposition.
Holden’s results proved a mixed bag. Its Korean-built Barina and Viva have been criticised for below-par quality but both scored better than the Commodore.
Why quality surveys aren’t a luxury in other countries
Luxury car brands in Australia share some customer research information but do not directly share uality data, instead relying on the JD Power Initial Quality Survey published in the United States.
But the data from JD Power mirrors that of the local AC Neilsen survey, with Japanese cars performing significantly better than most luxury European marques.
Porsche tops the latest JD Power survey, which ranks Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz below the industry average-and behind Ford, General Motors and Chrysler-on initial quality. Lexus ranked second in the survey, followed by Hyundai, Toyota and Jaguar.
Audi finished 18th,Volvo 21st, Mercedes-Benz 25th, BMW 27th, Mini 30th, Saab 32nd and Volkswagen 35th. The survey also ranks the various factories that produce vehicles for the US market.
It ranks BMW’s Dingolfing plant in Germany, which produces the luxury 5, 6 and 7 Series sedans, behind General Motors Oshawaplant in Canada. The JD Power report is based on survey responses by more than 60,000 new-car buyers.
drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=39115&pg=6&vf=0
the table at the bottem in the link was for new vehicles in jan-june 2006. when you can find a new quality survey tell me
Thanks Cory – now i hope Tonyn and poeple refer to the Quality Comparson Chart just to prove how pathetically poor Ford and Holden ranked against it’s competition.
Besides – the JD Powers Survey of WA Motorist that Tonyn presented concluded the same results which has been 1 of the 4 2007 quality surveys i have based my opinions upon.
one thing i wont take dingo is you talking to people like a bully, have i ever said falcons quality was great? listen here you tool….. i am not denying toyota builds a great product, its boring, bland and there marketing is second to none. thats why tools like yourself follow them cause you just want to be like the rest. Toyota is the new Holden in how arrogant there buyers really are.
You tell me i dont know s$it? my experience in the motor trade would kill your piddly little 4 yrs at a small holden dealer, you sound like a small pathetic little man who stands tall behind his computer…… and shouldnt we be talking about ford seeing that is what the blog is all about? where does toyota come into this blog.
I acknoldge toyota is good at building reliable cars, but you do have to admit, with hilux, TRD aurion, camry and Rav V6 stop sells or recalls there not as shiny as they used to be…. am i right?
Your killing what is a great website as it seems everones opinion is worthless unless it is about toyota, ive stated i drive many and varied cars, and at some stages toyota, but i cant understand why every blog gets turned into a dingo toyota show?
WHAT IN HELL IS YOUR POINT?????
My point is that Toyota is a MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better automotive manufactuer then GM (Holden) and Ford of which they are.
You raised points associated with some cars but what you FAILED to highlight was Toyota’s response and professional nature in rectifying the faults and minimising further negative exposure for customers.
That’s what i like to see with a company – an organistion that actually cares about the integrity of thier products because of instilled culture.
Now – just to prove a point … March 27 2008 9.11am on this topic you state that you see no quality differances between Holden, Ford and Toyota yet directly above you partially back track on that statement.
Refer to the link i have hand guided you (Leaked Australian Quality Survey) as with the other 3 Quality / Customer Satisfaction surveys of 2007 and they very much indicate HOW WRONG YOU ARE !!
Cheers
Can anyone tell me where I can find http://www.caradvice.com.au... it appears that I have stumbled upon http://www.letstalk100%toyota.com.au by mistake
Welcome back Wheelnut. While you were gone we agreed to have this site’s name changed to letstalk100%toyota.com.au!! LOL
the thing is that survey is 3yrs old now.
what has changed is toyotas quality has gone down and fords has gone up.
and the even bigger point out of all that is that the results are from a survey!!!!
surveys are opinionative,
opinions are guided by emotions.
just because you only look for a good survey result before you by a car, doesnt mean we all should.
is this the first thing you ask when you walk into a dealership………………………………………… “so how does this vehicle rate on the phone polls?”
HEADLINE Ford and Holden fans Unite against common Foe
i didnt say they were worse than holden or ford.. im over it, wheel nut is right this is bollocks!
Im over it does every post have to be about toyota?
I really dont care about how good they are, and to be honest you have turned me and half of the other bloggers on here off toyota! NICE WORK!!!
Guys where has BM gone?
I can tell you that Bavarian Missile arrived Home in Perth on Wednesday after what she said was a memorable enjoyable and rather special visit [here] to Adelaide over Easter..
I believe that the reason she hasn’t been on CA over the past week is because she is having some computer/internet problems.. which she hopes will be rectified ASAP.
However; I’ll be chatting with her tonight [as always] and I will let her know that [the majority of] you miss her..
And BK thinks that Holden will run out of business and factorys will stop like Mitsubishi in Australia……….well id reckon that ford would go first if it did happen!
Tonyn … it is because of the very mentality from people like yourself and the manufactuers themselves why so many people and an incresing percentage at that have been turned off and away from Holden and Ford … PERIOD !!
In 2006 Toyota flogged Holden by 66 000 units.
In 2007 Toyota slaughtered Holden by 90 000 units.
So far this year Toyota is on track to increase that to about 100 000 beyond Holden which is even a greater number beyond Ford.
Ooooch …. !!
The facts are right there for you to look at … it is Toyota that is attracting greater number of customers while Holden and Ford are dwindling.
Australian Car Advice – stop deleting my comments as they are constructive and non abusive.
People often take valuable time out thier day to write these comments and as a provider of the service you regulators should show more appreciation for the time that is invested by people like myself.
If you delete anymore of my comments that are not abusive then i will contact yourselves and discuss the matter.
Showo some respect for the time and effort that is invested by some onto this site.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
sorry but i can only laugh
Aww goochy goochy goo.
I know – those sales results are certainly something to laugh about.
he, he, he !!
Dingo Tomota Mind Freak, Ford beats Toyota in US quality rankings in 2007…
People might have to stop making all those jokes about the quality of Ford’s cars..
Ford is Now “Fixing Reputation Daily.”
Ford Motor Co. supplanted Toyota as leader of the pack in J.D. Power and Associates’ annual initial quality rankings released Wednesday, grabbing more individual awards than any other automaker for the first time since 1998, when it tied for the top spot.
Ford ranked highest in five of 19 segments in this year’s survey. That’s two better than in 1998 — the last time a U.S. automaker was on top — when Ford tied with Toyota and Honda.
The Dearborn automaker earned segment awards for the Ford Mustang, Lincoln Mark LT, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan and Mazda MX-5 Miata. Mazda is 33.4 percent owned by Ford.
Porsche again dominated the overall ranking of brands, averaging 91 problems per 100 vehicles, as it had last year. That compared with a 2007 industry average of 125 problems per 100 vehicles. Last year it was 124.
Toyota Motor Corp., which grabbed the top spot in 11 segments last year, captured only four this year — the 4Runner, Sequoia, Tacoma and Lexus RX350/RX400h.
Toyota’s Lexus luxury brand, which averaged 94 problems per 100 vehicles.
Toyota had seen its list of quality leaders decrease in a quality study released Monday by Strategic Vision Inc., a San Diego-based market research company and consultant to automakers. Despite improving its overall quality, Toyota led in one category in that study — down from four in 2006. South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co. led in five categories, outperforming its Japanese, European and U.S. competitors. Last year, it had no winner
There’s no clear answer for Toyota’s drop. But several vehicles brought its quality performance down 2007 and also this year, including the Corolla, Prius and Lexus models.
TOYMOTA IS NO SPICE FOR LIFE CARDIGAN WEARING GIRLS LIKE DINGO = TP……
WATCH THIS SPACE DINGO = TP, FORD IS MUCH BETTER, SALES MEAN NOTHING LOSER, TOYMOTA WILL SUFFER DOWN THE TRACK..
FORD’S NEW FALCON WILL BE A QUALITY MASTERPIECE AND WORTH EVERY PENNY………
Anyway people … unfortunately for me, my 6 weeks of annual leave comes to an end today as i must rejoin the crew tomorrow morning …..arrrrr !!
So, there will be less from me for awhile and that should give you Holden and Ford fairies some time to recoup and feel good about yourselves again.
cheers
ps. Dingo outta here and back to work … unfortunately !!
pss. Cobra AC – you are autolover on Drive.com
Good, we don’t need to read anymore dribble by “Dumb As A Dingo”
Good riddance to sociopathic rubbish.
Amen
Fabulous………last thing I need is another narcissistic abuser to deal with.Cant say Dingo will be missed….
I guess if CA is still deleting your comments Dingo then its cause your either off topic AGAIN or you are your normal abusive self.
Can hear Prince’s song “….party like its 1999″ YIPPEEEEE KI YA! OMG GOOD NEWS. WONDER IF HIS LITTER WILL STILL TURN UP HERE FOR A SCRATCH AND DIG SESSION AGAINST ALL EXCEPT TOYOTA!
Cobra, your comments carry a lot of bite and spitting (pardon the pun) some really good stuff there what you dug up! LOVE IT!