Ford RWD platform goes global
January 10, 2008 by George Skentzos
Once again the quality of Australian automotive engineering has been recognised on a global scale with Ford announcing it would rely on its Australian division to develop its next global rear-wheel-drive platform.
The platform in question is already nearing completion, of course referring to the Falcon Orion architecture which will be adapted in the United States for vehicles such as the Lincoln MKR and the Ford Interceptor.
Production of vehicles based on the Australian developed platform will take place in the US and not in Australia unlike Holden’s current arrangement with the Pontiac G8.
“There are good reasons not to: currency, freight,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford group vice president of global manufacturing.
Regardless, this is yet another major boost to the quality, credibility and capability of Australian industry and one which both Holden and Ford fans alike should be proud of.
Print it: 
If this decision had been made about 30 years ago, Ford Incorporated would be in vastly better shape, but it takes time to overcome the inertia of ‘Not Invented Here.’
Hope it’s not too late.
Let’s hope it realy will make both sides of the V8 war proud.
About time Ford US, lets hope they don’t stuff it up like the other Ford US crap and utilise what the Falcon will offer as a package even if it is produced in the US.
Why can’t we get a Falcon model with the name Interceptor – sounds better than XT or G6!
If Ford US can make a car that isn’t a lemon,(Taurus) maybe they would sell alot better.
Hopefully that concept’s reliabllity wont be like the typical US Fords.
sounds like a plan…a very good plan…now all ford global needs to do is stop making american crap…make australia the development capital for the world…and for ford usa to import all models from europe! except maybe for them f-150s…they still have a soft spot for me…
Ford USA is starting to become a better company in my eyes! And I agree 100% with you John! ;)
its good to see i make good sense fordman6…now only if only a rep from for usa stumbled upon this forum and actually took up some notice that their fords in the usa are el crapo! i mean compare 08 USA focus to 08 euro focus…um…seriously…no contest…10 points to europe and -10 to american design!
Well i want to know what press release or confidential memo this story is based on?
For surely its a HUGE story and would be trumpeted long and loud by Ford Oz if it was true.
Can the mods or the author clarify this please?
The press release from Ford US was mainly concerned with Ford pursuing RWD cars in the future, the fact that they would be based on Australian architecture was mentioned as though it were a small detail but obviously for us in Australia its huge news.
You have most likely come across this story already, its just that as essentially the only Australian car site we are the only ones concerned with the fact that they will be based on Australian architecture whereas other sites only report on the fact that Ford will continue with RWD cars.
Hope that makes sense, its been a long day.
as I have said before,
Falcon chassis, mustang top, Independent rear, shelby motor, FPR under workings, would be a good start. I am a Ford fan and somtimes they give me the S**TS with some of there decisions they make, they have good cars but dumb ideas of what to do with them.
I’ve been hoping for this bit of news. I’m proud of the fact VE is going to USA, Middle-East, England, etc… and a little jealous of the fact, hoping that FordUS would FINALLY WAKE UP!!!
I can understand why they aren’t sourcing cars from here, just the platform, because the Oz dollar is so strong now, apparently it’s hurting Holden a little.
They ought to at least build the Falcon over there to replace the ancient Crown Vic as cop cars, taxis, etc.
Another good thing is the Mustang will finally have some good suspension under it.
Hi Watto.. I believe were only getting the rebadged HSV at the moment that a specialst vehicle and will probably only sell say less than 10 p.a. Over here it costs $83K and has to compete with the german and swedish marks. It unfortunately won’t go far.
I did see however that GM are to bring the Epica to Euroland. The Holden website does not say too much about finite detail but judging the ‘comments’ you guys don;t go much on it.
I reckon theres a good market here (Euroland) for a RWD platform to compete with BMW/Merc but it absolutely has to be cheaper by a long shot otherwise its waste of time. Bear in mind a 2.0 diesel vectra is say £15K here, your Commodore is about equivilant of £18K. If they bought in the commodore GM would ask about £24K here. Nobody would buy it for that when you could buy a 3 series.
The best new here is that Ford OZ will get the funding needed to the R&D, with bigger dollars who know’s what our local guys can produce.
Now the pressure is on to make the 2010 platform a winner.
Iam sure TP will not comment as his views would fly in face of quality as noted in review. He could easliy come here and bag Ford but?????
NoName,
If you want to find out more about the Epica, see the Daewoo website, yep Daewoo designed and built, in Korea, with only minimal styling and SUSpension settings by GM Holden.
On Topic, Fantastic news for Ford Aus and the Aus motor industry. I dare say it’s actually very good news for Ford’s US customers too.
About time is all i can say!!! its been a long time waiting….
finally those big and Power american Engine will have a car that can handle under them… so with been info been released… will Ford Aus be able to go Engine shopping?? as holden does with GM???
i not shore about every one else… a big meaty Super charged 5.4 litre V8 from the Gt500 would be good to see in the falcon!!! and by 2010 the 5.8 and 6.2 will be around as well…. it think this is a great decision and a step closer for Ford to built some great & Powerful cars… and be world leading again….eg GT-HO….
anyone getting hungry for a gtho in the 2010 platform? mmmm…imagine that…and imagine a gtho rumbling from fpv showrooms alongside its sibling a shelby mustang – both of which mind you – would be built on the same tasty platform! now im definitely salibating at that prospect!
mmmm, Yes John! A 7.0L hurricane V8, or the current engine supercharged !! And finnaly have the yanks have a real platform.
The reality is that due to oil supply scares and global warming, almost every developed auto market/country in the world has been slowly alingned with one another in relation to emission standards and fuel efficiency…
This now allows the major car makers to produce more global vehicles that are cheaper and more likely to succeed as where many world/global cars have failed in the past.
the economy of scale now makes more sense as opposed to, for example ford and Holden going it alone on product programs concerning the falcon and commodore, as they and many more had done for the past 40+ years.
Global auto Competition has also pushed this quick and vital change.
Can anyone tell me if they r sending over the falcons (orion) suspension setup aswell. If so ford US r gonna make a heap of money
John n Oz, you talk alot of sense about the GT-HO when it comes in 2010. I will say that our GT-HO will be the australian version of the top notch Shelby mustang. You’d have to think it would be in there agreement somewhere with sharing the same platform.
cobra 302…im hearing you and im agreeing with you…mmm…very nice…sexy time! and oz…yeah hurricane would sit rather nicely along a typhoon…wonder if a souped up tezza would get a nickname like cyclone?
All you wondering if the Mustang might share a Falcon platform? If it happens, It would be just like the 60s when the Mustang was on a Falcon chassie.