Ford Fairlane May Rise Again?
18 May, 2007
5 Comments 
Ford Australia President Tom Gorman has shed some light on the future of the Ford Fairlane today. As we reported a week ago, the Fairlane and LTD models have been discontinued for the next generation falcon.
However, Mr Gorman says there is a possibility of the Fairlane returning in the future.
“I have learned enough to never say never and never say always, but I do think you could hear that name come back utilised somewhere,” Mr Gorman said.
It appears that Ford Australia are venturing down the same path as GM Holden, trying to become the production house of Ford worldwide leading to exports overseas.
“Longer term, you can see the direction that Ford is going. If you are watching Ford closely, with the appointment of Derrick Kuzak as the global head of product development and (Ford Motor Company CEO Alan) Mulally’s vision on this is very clear, that we have to utilise our capacity and our capabilities better globally, and I think that bodes well for us.” Mr Gorman said.
“We have a lot of capability here, we have capacity here, and from a technical and engineering standpoint we are recognised as being very strong.”
Ford Australia needs to follow GM Holden’s path to survive in a global market, the Luxury versions need to find a market in the Middle East and Asia to make it worthwhile for Ford to develop a new Fairlane.
Speaking about the success that Holden in enjoying with the Statesmen, Mr Gorman admits that Holden have got it right.
“You are getting businesses that can leverage that investment over a much, much larger volume, and until we can really find that opportunity I think it would be very hard to see us doing a long-wheelbase on its own.” he said
To put things into perspective, Holden are no longer designing the Statesmen for the Australian market as much they are designing it for the export market. Only 3,000 Luxury Holdens were sold in Australia last year, in comparison with over 20,000 that were exported to the Middle east!
Although with the economy going strong and the aussie dollar at record highs, exporting is not an easy business.
“When it’s at 83 cents in the dollar, it gets harder for someone to say okay to a business case,” Mr Gorman said.
Will the Fairlane return? Not for another 5-10 years by the sounds of it.
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May 20th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I hope they bring back the fairlane and LTD but in a longer wheelbase version and with some high performance engine, drivetrain, suspension set ups etc. And make the inside and out look alittle different so that it doesnt have fairmont carry overs.
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November 4th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
I know theres now news that Ford have given up on having an Orion Fairlane and LTD, but later on they should come out with a new one thats just as long as the last one and export it to the USA and make them Taxis and Police cars. That’ll be good for Ford Aus.
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November 4th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
I bet ford keeps an eye on this site because of all the spyshots.
C’MON FORD BRING BACK THE FAIRLANE!!!
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November 11th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Its one thing to be patriotic for a model but if it wont sell
Who is going to keep subsidizing it?
Its like the tired argument for not closing the railways its no good if you dont use it, its no good if they dont sell.
Ford have dropped the ball in many areas and now they are trying to desperately catch up.
Why should tax payers subsidize a failing business, ford are losing money all over the world thats not going to change unless we all spend money in their business and they can only do that if they have a product people want, buyers are moving away from large cars in a time of rising fuel prices thy can get that luxury in a well built Honda accord or Lexus for around the same money but with build quality and luxury appointments that far surpass the Fairlane or LTD.
The Fairlane has had its day and other makers are doing a better job and turning out a far better product.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
The Fairlane was designed before Australia Even had Budget Airlines to get us around to the next state.
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