Fairlane & LTD Replacements

[stang01]

thanks for that. geez it really does look that dated.

[MAFIA]

Originally Posted by Nikk O'lass

A wild idea, but the 300c is doing wonders for chrysler, and maybe a niche car might be what ford needs...

...So how about this



...use the new falcon as a starting piont, build here and send some overseas...

Yep believe it or not guys it official, this is the 2008 Ford Interceptor which is release next year and Ford OZ is exporting that here in 2009 as the replacement of the Fairlane/LTD.

That is going to outsell the 300C SRT8 here in Aussie as it has 450bhp out of the new Quad cam 5L V8!!! I'll buy one for sure! :

[Fordmuscle1965]

Originally Posted by MAFIA

Yep believe it or not guys it official, this is the 2008 Ford Interceptor which is release next year and Ford OZ is exporting that here in 2009 as the replacement of the Fairlane/LTD.

That is going to outsell the 300C SRT8 here in Aussie as it has 450bhp out of the new Quad cam 5L V8!!! I'll buy one for sure! :

I hope! I'll be buying 1 as well this thing looks killer!!! out:

[Paull]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Or a Crown Vic Grand Marquis



or going back top the LTD's roots a Lincoln town car

Bling bling - vomit vomit!! :

[nothin suss]

Originally Posted by Polyal

The majority of people that buy new fairlanes are die hard (lol..more pun) the majority of buyers are over 50 and are never in the back anyway.

I dont know about that.... Ive met some kinky over 50 ladys at the sphinx on a saturday night! he he, sorry...

[LeadFoot81]

Where did you hear about the Interceptor making producion MAFIA? It'd be awesome if it did.

I dont think the Grand Marquis looks TOO bad, looks late 90's tho. Love the whitewalls!

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by MAFIA

Yep believe it or not guys it official, this is the 2008 Ford Interceptor which is release next year and Ford OZ is exporting that here in 2009 as the replacement of the Fairlane/LTD.

That is going to outsell the 300C SRT8 here in Aussie as it has 450bhp out of the new Quad cam 5L V8!!! I'll buy one for sure! :

bah, believe it when i see it

[Danny]

Originally Posted by MAFIA

Yep believe it or not guys it official, this is the 2008 Ford Interceptor which is release next year and Ford OZ is exporting that here in 2009 as the replacement of the Fairlane/LTD.

That is going to outsell the 300C SRT8 here in Aussie as it has 450bhp out of the new Quad cam 5L V8!!! I'll buy one for sure! :

Phht, as long as its a Ford, and a non Falcon at that, It's going to get a lukewarm reception. Chrysler got a good following becasue it was different, fresh and unexpected, also there is not much else in the Chrysler line up that has 4 doors and a V8 and a boot, to sway people away from 300C.

If you're even correct in saying that the Interceptor is coming here (and no offence I don't beleive you), that thing only has the potential to be another Mondeo-esqe abortion in Australia...

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by MAFIA

Yep believe it or not guys it official, this is the 2008 Ford Interceptor which is release next year and Ford OZ is exporting that here in 2009 as the replacement of the Fairlane/LTD.

Official ?

Says who ?

I bet it won't happen........

[MAFIA]

Originally Posted by Inline6

Where did you hear about the Interceptor making producion MAFIA? It'd be awesome if it did.

My Dad friend Work in a top position for Ford Australia in Broadmeadow. (I'm not mentioning his name or position for privacy/legal rights!)

In america there a huge interest for the Interceptor since it launch as a prototype so it been given the green light for production!

Well wait as see!

[LeadFoot81]

Sweet. With Crown Vic needing replacement, but exports of an Aussie Fiarlane not viable, maybe Ford OZ will help with designing the Interceptor, but it will be built in the US and exported to the middle East and Oz. Ford might be weighing up whether to badge it as a Fairlane, or as Interceptor.

[Fordman1]

Engineering a large V8 car for RHD for tiny volumes in a market that is swinging towards more and more smaller vehicles ?

It won't happen.

The only way there will be another type of large V8 luxury or performance car in FoA's product portfolio is if it's based on an existing RHD platform - eg: Falcon.

Too much cost for a cash strapped company who will be chasing sales growth in the segments that are growing and have significant volume. ie: B, C class passenger cars and small and medium size SUV's - NOT high priced, low volume, potentially risky products that will bomb eg: Interceptor. Cars like that are a tiny part of the market, there's no money in it, so Ford won't go there here in Oz IMO.

Yeah it looks cool, but how many Aussies will buy it after the first 6 months.

Oz Taurus Mk2.

If there is a true Fairlane replacement I think it'll be based on a future platform that is build here in Australia.

[LeadFoot81]

ok well wait and see...

[Road_Warrior]

I think what we might see is a slight re-jigging of models...like Holden did with the VE. Perhaps the Futura might get ditched, and its place is taken by a de-specced Fairmont, and the spec level Fairmont usually occupies is taken by the Fairmont Ghia. This would leave the spec level that is usually occupied by Fairmont Ghia filled by some form of Fairlane replacement, using the same body as the Falcon but perhaps with different front and rear sheetmetal to make it distinct from the lower spec cars. Like a compact Fairlane if you will (just with a different name).

[jdg]

Yeh i reckon it will be a new spec level. Perhaps we might see lcd screens, audio plugs and aircon controls in the rear now as well, like recent Statesman/Caprice models. Maybe a better grade of leather and other "luxury" features which verge on being defined as pointless :p

[ltd]

There is a LWB, it is being tested and it will be made in Oz. It won't be called fairlane and it may not even go on sale here. Furthermore, Territory will possibly replace the Ford Explorer in the USA, the newer version yet to be released is coming in LHD, and is considerably much safer (monocoque is safer and thus less likely to result in a law suit) than the current American built explorer which was derived from a truck chassis. Ford US executives have been spending an increasing amount of time at Broadmeadows, and they are impressed with what they see. Ford USA is actually even telling the world that FoA has a very bright future, and have confirmed that the Town Car manufacturing facility in Michigan is dead.
http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums...howtopic=12273
The fairlane name may not resurface but a LWB sure as hell will.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by ltd

Ford USA is actually even telling the world that FoA has a very bright future, and have confirmed that the Town Car manufacturing facility in Michigan is dead.
http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums...howtopic=12273
The fairlane name may not resurface but a LWB sure as hell will.

I believe Town Car production is being transfered to the Crown Vic Plant in Canada (re: BlueOvalNews).

[ltd]

Well, they haven't replaced any tooling as the town car has different clothes to the crown vic, although I think the doors are shared. Ford and Mulally have publicly stated that they are looking for somewhere else to build the town car, as the numbers of 3000 a month are too small to sustain in the US factories. Mulally has said on numerous occasions he will look to Oz for the RWD replacements.

[Falcon Freak]

FoA are investigating building LHD LWB cars in Australia for exports from 2010 and beyond. So there is some hope.

FF

[Ringo]

I think government and limo sales have been keeping LTD alive for some time - very very few private buyers with $60-70k to spend are looking at Ford Fairlane/LTD. And why would they - the resale is atrocious (they make for brilliant second hand buys)

With that sort of money buyers are looking for more than just luxury, they are looking for a statement. Fairlane/LTD buyers average age would have been well over 50+ and hell, 60 is the new 50 , 50 is the 40 and they want to be seen driving something different from a taxi. They look at entry level prestige and up-spec SUV's.

300c is such a bold move but is striking in a way that a $150k mercedes isn't. It is attracting enough buyers every month to actually increase the number of vehicle sold in the LWB segment. Its a niche product but everyone knows it by sight. If only Ford had the guts and money.

So what does a 40-50 years old couple want in a car for $60k that Ford have in their current line up. None...they don't want a Ford. They want a different badge.

At the end of the day Jag should bring out a entry level model that combines sports luxury & style in a package for less than $75k and cement themselves as FoMoCo's luxury line up and wash away the old english feel ....and perhaps they should be sold through Ford Dealers....

[Dave_au]

Originally Posted by ltd

There is a LWB, it is being tested and it will be made in Oz. It won't be called fairlane and it may not even go on sale here.

Furthermore, Territory will possibly replace the Ford Explorer in the USA, the newer version yet to be released is coming in LHD, and is considerably much safer (monocoque is safer and thus less likely to result in a law suit) than the current American built explorer which was derived from a truck chassis. Ford US executives have been spending an increasing amount of time at Broadmeadows, and they are impressed with what they see.

I severely doubt both to above.

1. Territory is in effect smaller than the current explorer and closely linked to the freestyle - why would Ford want to introduce another mid size SUV while knocking off it's large SUV.

2. American Auto Unions wouldn't be impressed with the exports. Americans can get a "not built here" mentality which is what probably stunted the sales of the Pontiac GTO.

3. You don't fathom the amount of sales the Explorer acheives - it sells about 300,000 units per year. and small yet significant sales of their LWB cars of about 3000 per month.

Geelong has the capacity to produce about 7,000 to 8,000 cars MAXIMUM a month with full shifts.

Quick calc:

Aus production: 3800-5500 cars per month
LWB production: 2300-3000 cars per month
Explorer production: 25000 cars per month.

Can you see a problem emerging? Where on earth did you come up with that idea?

The only thing that Ford Aus could do would be to aide in the engineering aspect of the cars, or to have a common rwd platform. There is no way they could be built here.

[Dave_au]

And LTD, I've just re-read your post - are you trying to suggest the explorer replacement will be built here or designed here?

[Fairlane]

Originally Posted by Ringo

At the end of the day Jag should bring out a entry level model that combines sports luxury & style in a package for less than $75k and cement themselves as FoMoCo's luxury line up and wash away the old english feel ....and perhaps they should be sold through Ford Dealers....

Dont want to go off topic but theyve got the Jaguar X-Type and its been a bit of the disaster as it is at heart a glorified Mondeo. Theyve also got the S-type but for reasons i could never fathom it didnt take off.

But i get what your saying Ford doesn need a BMW 3 series, Lexus IS 250 fighter, which they do have with the Lincoln MKZ but thats in the states only

[ltd]

Ford sold 445,157 explorers in 2000, 179,229 in 2006. The numbers of them are down further reportedly this year. The explorer is being seen for what it is; an old style SUV with several design and safety limitations placed on it from an inherent truck chassis.
The freestar is becoming popular; a car for which the Americans consulted the Australian guys for the design and borrowed some cues from the venerable territory.

Furthermore, Ford are closing several of their factories in the US, especially since the pre negotiated staff pension scheme is literally strangling the companies' cashflow. After posting a 7.7 billion dollar loss in the US last financial year alone, Ford is looking at minimising its liabilities such as factories that don't make any profit, and are looking far afield to places like Europe and Australia for more efficiently and efficient cars. The ford Mondeo for example, has been reported by Mulally to have a lot in common with the new falcon looks wise, and if well received in the states which it has been previously as a taurus replacement, then is set to capture a large percentile of the market. This is where it has been envisaged that Ford Aus could come to market with their falcon, and in either CKD or platform type be sold over in the USA. This is the same principal behind the talk for the territory in the US, especially since even the name explorer and Firestone tyres sends buyers packing for the cheaper and much more efficient Honda CRV. What Ford are doing here is arresting a trend, and they have recognised that due to lower protectionism and higher gas prices, Ford cannot afford to be inflexible in their manufacturing locations. This is not to mention the Auto unions who have a much larger stranglehold in the states than here.
In Aus we have the added benefit of being a bit of a niche manufacturer, and we also have an overwhelming capacity for expansion and design. Currently we are redoing the ford Ranger for the US which will be manufactured in South Africa; what's to say that Ford Aus aren't capable of expanding operations here?

BTW, GM has canned the deal for the Zeta platformed VE, as it cannot meet environmental standards for California; considered the most strict in the whole USA.
Also, there is an Orion falcon XR6 turbo in Detroit, I know the Captain who flew it there in the Polar Air Cargo 747-400F. This was flown there some 4-5 months ago. It was however all covered up.
BTW, Daimler has sold Chrysler.

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...rticleId=39471

[ltd]

sorry, double post.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by ltd

BTW, GM has canned the deal for the Zeta platformed VE, as it cannot meet environmental standards for California; considered the most strict in the whole USA.

Errm, not quite, the G8 and the Camaro are still a goer however there is a 'hold' on Zeta-based cars after that. The 2010 Impala is one such car.

[Fairlane]

From what ive heard the hold on Zeta based RWD cars is due to a more strigent nation wide brand wide CAFE target which is being talked about.

Essentially the whole GM fleet would have to average out to meet a fuel target like 9.0l/100klms which with large sales of big SUV's is farking hard, so small cars and hybrids (which have special benefits) are needed to offset to dodge huge penalties. Therefore haveing big RWD car sales is only going to increase your average fuel economy, or at least not offset the SUV's.