And when the new models are released, they run “inside stories” of their involvement in the project (suspension tune on the BA Falcon was attributed to a team consisting of Ford specialist and “Wheels” magazine journos). They feature pictures of their secret test runs to the Northern Territory, etc, etc…

They did it with the Avalon, AU, BA, VT, VE…

Here’s an outsiders view. Holden Ford who cares (I don’t) I buy what’s suitable for me. Yep both in competition with each other, oh and both losing money faster than Bill Gates makes it. PENI S above was pretty much correct, its all about badges and not the Australian thing to car manufacturers. Think about it population of Australia 20million, Europe population dunno say 250million, USA/Canada 300million say. Do you honestly believe that there’s enough sales opportunity in Australia alone to develop a peculiar model for Oz. Nope not a chance. That’s why we’re sharing platforms and engines (the expensive bits) globally.. live with it. You can hang whatever body work you like on the platform mostly its down to looks. If you could put General Motors/Holden and Ford on a pair of scales the balance would go to Ford but only by a small fraction. I for one didn’t like to look of Falcon but that’s my opinion. The only reason the likes of Holden and Ford sell well is they are cheap and plentiful and have no competition. BMW/Merc/Audi are out of there league both in performance and price. Holden do have strange perception of the Australian market thinking people want re-badged Korean stuff when what would be better is a lightly adapted Euro model like things used to be with the Rekord/Commodore thing, until they realise that its Ford who will benefit of the Markeyt share.

Anyway the Falcon…the interior is definitely not up to Eurocar standards… see the Mondeo as an example.

1: Product Info: Ford AU Series I and AU Series II Falcon Forte, Futura, Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia, XR variants, Fairlane, LTD, Utes and FTE Vehicles built from 1 June 1998 to 22 May 2001 inclusive.

Defect Details: There is the possibility that inappropriate servicing of the steering rack retaining hardware may affect the integrity of the steering rack mounting stud. Overtightening of the steering rack mounting hardware may degrade the thread locking compound.

2: Ford Au Falcon & Fairlane Vehicles
Product Info: Campaign Srcc176. Built From March 19, 1999 To March 22, 1999 Inclusive.

Defect Details: The Bolts Securing The Upper Suspension Arm To Upper Arm Bushes May Be Affected By Hydrogen Embrittlement Resulting In Suspension Noise And In Extreme Cases, Upper Arms May Separate From The Bushes.

3: Product Info: All Au Models To March 24, 1999.

Defect Details: May Have Incorrectly Torqued Front Spindle Upper Ball Joint Retaining Bolts.

4: Product Info: Au Models Specified With Front Bench Seat And Passenger Airbag, Built To March 15, 1999.

Defect Details: Front Centre Seat Belts Have A Passenger Airbag Warning Label Attached To The Belt Which Prevents The Belt From Being Shortened To A Level Which Complies With Adr.

I remember getting a new brake line during a routine service, but don’t remember the others. Maybe they didn’t affect my model.

Pete, my last comment was to show you and your fellow biased Holdenwoo fans some painfull history which is likely to return in may this year…

Hey greg, my last two comments were your style wernt they?

ARE YOU FOR REAL PETE, HAVE A GOOD LOOK AT THE WORDS YOU TYPED IN THAT PARAGRAPH, THIS HAS TO THE MOST NAIVE THINKING I’VE ENCOUNTED FOR A LONG TIME…………..