The Falcon must change!

Brazen · 06-03-2010, 03:30 PM

The start of 2010 signified another change in the Aussie car market, for the first time ever, compact SUVs like Forrester, Outlander, etc overtook large car sales. This is now the second segment to overtake large car sales following the small car segment which became number 1 in Australia only in the last couple of years.

The days of the large segment ruling supreme is over. Even mighty Toyota only sold 800 odd Aurions last month. Nissan's Maxima and Honda's Accord are now selling a trickle compared to what they were selling in the 90s.

The compact SUV segment covers a lot of makes, the interesting thing to note is that the majority of these vehicles are not really off-road machines, some even come in 2wd. So why are people buying these vehicles? perhaps its the looks and image, but I have a feeling its the packaging of these cars with their high hip-points, higher ride height and wagon practicallity which is hitting the sweet spot with buyers.

The traditional three box large sedan is dying, and Ford has to change the direction of the Falcon. Higher hip point, higher ride height, command driving position and a more practical body has to be the main drivers in the next Falcon, luckily Ford has a template to copy... The new BMW 5 Series GT.

BMW has their finger on the pulse, they see that sedans will become less relevant in the marketplace. Ford must see the investment that BMW has made in this vehicle as an example of where large family cars are heading.

People say a new transmission, or EcoBoost engine will be Falcon's saviour, thats a load of crap. The segments which are taking over large car sales are not defined by any type of technological marvels, they are instead selling due to packaging. As good as the Falcon will become, its a type of car less and less people want.

Ford must innovate with the next Falcon, the normal sedan will not cut it at all in the second decade of the 21st cenury and it will be swamped by other cars which are more suited to the modern car buyer.

Its a risk to change such an iconic vehicle like the Falcon, but with a dismal 2500 sales last month its even bigger risk to carry on its present course.

Arkturus · 06-03-2010, 03:41 PM

Some interesting thoughts there and the idea of a Falcon hatch could work, but isnt this similar to Holden's idea with the Adventra i think it was called. Didn't really take off...

Gobes32 · 06-03-2010, 03:43 PM

What about Toyota and Holden? Pretty sure they make large RWD cars as well.....?

Matt P · 06-03-2010, 03:45 PM

I think thats the idea behind the Territory.

g220ba · 06-03-2010, 03:52 PM

I'm sorry but is there any reason why we need a new thread everyday about the falcons demise or the falcon needs to change or even the long drawn out arguement of the falcon going FWD. I agree there are some fair points there but it applies to every single car maker in the large car segment not just ford.

It's a well known fact that the large RWD sedan is becoming moreso a niche market everyday. Does this mean the Falcon has to change? I believe for the large RWD ford to survive it would need to become a global car under the One Ford mantra, whether that happens or not we'll just have to wait and see.

Brazen · 06-03-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt P

I think thats the idea behind the Territory.

The Territory is a SUV whereas the 5 Series GT has more of a 'car' stance.

g220ba · 06-03-2010, 03:54 PM

Not a pleasant looking car is it. Seems like it's not really sure what it's meant to be and as a result has become a bit awkward looking.

Brazen · 06-03-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

What about Toyota and Holden? Pretty sure they make large RWD cars as well.....?

Toyota makes a large FWD sedan which does not sell well at all. Holden has significant exports orders and a Sportwagon which is keeping Commodore sales alive. In fact the Sportwagon is a type of vehicle which will become more and more relevant as people move away from sedans.

Wally · 06-03-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

What about Toyota and Holden? Pretty sure they make large RWD cars as well.....?

There is talk of a shorter commodore in the near future.

**Silver Ghia** · 06-03-2010, 04:00 PM

I've said it before in this forum that the FG should have been a hatch. The boot lid is short enough not to have affected the styling much at all. It would have covered both previous sedan and wagon versions to a large extent. Ford is not higher than Commodore in the sales at present, only because there is only a sedan available (apart from the old model BF wagon XT).

I'm in the market for a new wagon or hatch later this year, an FG hatch would've been ideal. The Terry is too short at the back and too high, the Mondeo appears dull with an a/c not as good as what I'm used to, and there's no FG wagon through the range like Commodore has.

I'm afraid Ford is likely to miss out this time.

Brazen · 06-03-2010, 04:08 PM

Not the prettiest thing, but another example of what Im getting at. the just released US only Honda Crosstour. I see massive growth in this type of vehicle

SM1DY · 06-03-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Not the prettiest thing, but another example of what Im getting at. the just released US only Honda Crosstour. I see massive growth in this type of vehicle

*Shudders*

mik · 06-03-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Not the prettiest thing, but another example of what Im getting at. the just released US only Honda Crosstour. I see massive growth in this type of vehicle

sorry i can`t see it, that thing is dingo ugly.

jpd80 · 07-03-2010, 01:00 AM

If you're going to have a 5 door hatch Falcon, make it a nice one:

jpd80 · 06-03-2010, 04:11 PM

It's not the Falcon or Territory's fault that Ford sucks in every other category.
While I can see the possibility of a midsized vehicle being built on the Falcon platform,
I think Ford needs to press harder in advertising the rest of its range, they just seem invisible....

Teaching some of Ford's dealerships the finer arts in
respecting customers would be an excellent start as well.......

Matt P · 07-03-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

It's not the Falcon or Territory's fault that Ford sucks in every other category.
While I can see the possibility of a midsized vehicle being built on the Falcon platform,
I think Ford needs to press harder in advertising the rest of its range, they just seem invisible....

Teaching some of Ford's dealerships the finer arts in
respecting customers would be an excellent start as well.......

Don't know where you got your info mate but the new Fiesta is killing it in the small car market the sales dept are having trouble getting supply to sell them. As far as advetising I see more for Fiesta and Mondeo than for Falcon the new Territory one is fairly prominant too.

jpd80 · 07-03-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt P

Don't know where you got your info mate but the new Fiesta is killing it in the small car market the sales dept are having trouble getting supply to sell them.

I get my info from Russell's Technical resources mate.
You don't know how much I wish that Fiesta were were killing it......

Year to date (Jan + Feb)
Light cars:
Yaris 3,645
Getz 3,644
Barina 2,671
Mazda 2 2,263
Fiesta 2,033 (+675)

Year to date (Jan + Feb)
Small cars:
Mazda 3 6,613
Corolla 5,753
i30 5,042
Cruze 4,293
Lancer 2,263
Focus 1,317 (-912)<- I suspect that Fiesta is robbing sales from here.

iliov · 07-03-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

I've said it before in this forum that the FG should have been a hatch. The boot lid is short enough not to have affected the styling much at all. It would have covered both previous sedan and wagon versions to a large extent. Ford is not higher than Commodore in the sales at present, only because there is only a sedan available (apart from the old model BF wagon XT).

I'm in the market for a new wagon or hatch later this year, an FG hatch would've been ideal. The Terry is too short at the back and too high, the Mondeo appears dull with an a/c not as good as what I'm used to, and there's no FG wagon through the range like Commodore has.

I'm afraid Ford is likely to miss out this time.

Yer sure mate.....

Arkturus · 07-03-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iliov

Yer sure mate.....

lol you have to admit that is kinda cute!
looks like a rhino bettle

LeadFoot81 · 07-03-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iliov

Yer sure mate.....

Youre way off buddy, I agree with SilverGhia that the FGs bootlid is short enough that a Mondeo style 3 box hatch would work really well.

The loaded Mazda 121 FG monstrosity photoshop youve created to prove a point would in reality be a waste of time as youve lopped off the original overhang and lost a heap of boot space.

GK · 07-03-2010, 08:04 PM

Double Post! Pardon! LOL!

GK

GK · 07-03-2010, 08:06 PM

Photoshop Champion! LOL!

Case closed!

:

GK

**Silver Ghia** · 07-03-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iliov

Yer sure mate.....

All I can say is don't give up your day job. This doesn't prove anything, just have a better look at some of the hatches going about these days.

And those who say I should get a Mondeo, I haven't come across one yet that comes in a RWD XR6, G6E, or even as an FPV GS, which would also have a longer boot length with the rear seat down. And I don't want to only carry pipes around either, the height of the seatback cutout in the FG sedan is rather restrictive.

iliov · 08-03-2010, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

All I can say is don't give up your day job. This doesn't prove anything, just have a better look at some of the hatches going about these days.

And those who say I should get a Mondeo, I haven't come across one yet that comes in a RWD XR6, G6E, or even as an FPV GS, which would also have a longer boot length with the rear seat down. And I don't want to only carry pipes around either, the height of the seatback cutout in the FG sedan is rather restrictive.

It took 5 mins you nerd, wouldn't spend anymore time proving you wrong.

CFOUR · 06-03-2010, 04:14 PM

i already don't fit in the back seat of a falcon, i sure as hell don't need a 45 degree roof.

**janddbone** · 06-03-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFOUR

i already don't fit in the back seat of a falcon, i sure as hell don't need a 45 degree roof.

I already don't fit in ANY seat of the Falcon, thanks to an already stupid, roof and door design. So call them big all you like, the fact that I can fit into a Colt, both front and then the rear, far better than a Falcon makes me laugh... And CRY!

**Falcon Coupe** · 06-03-2010, 04:16 PM

The Falcon is not an SUV, I'd sooner see it die from loss of sales than morph into latte sippers AWD town car.

As said above if this is the way of the future the Territory should fit the bill.

flappist · 06-03-2010, 04:28 PM

Ho hum

1985..... the falcon is dead....people want smaller more fuel efficient cars

1998..... the falcon is dead....the price of fuel will stop sales of big cars

2006..... the falcon is dead..... petrol will be $1,000,000 /ml by lunchtime tomorrow

2010.... the falcon is dead....it must be true, it was in the newspaper and on the internet

2025... the falcon is dead

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be........

Joe5619 · 06-03-2010, 04:30 PM

What a load of ******* !!!

The Falcon must not chnage becuase SUV sales are going up.. That is why Ford built the Territ!! Maybe poeple might remember that when they say Ford should focus on a sportswagan over a SUV!!

Brazen · 06-03-2010, 04:54 PM

If people hate the idea, then thats important for Ford to know

I know we have always heard the scaremongoring about the Falcon but look at today's market, in the end its the buyers which decide which lives or dies.

People loved the Fairlane (I still miss it) but the market had moved on from that kind of vehicle. The last thing we want is the Falcon slowing having the same fate as the Fairlane.

I can really see the 5 series Gt with its useful body, command driving position (great for old people), high hip points providing some great ideas for the next interpretation of the Falcon.