Fairlane & LTD Replacements

[6t6m]

I don't really know if this is a worthwhile thread or not but if the mods think its not then just go ahead and delete it ... BUT

What I was thinking about is what Ford could do in replacement of the LWB models... is there the possibility that there is something else in the Ford family that could fill the gap? (only thing i can think of would be "old" Lincoln Towncar).. If thats not possible how about a SWB Falcon thats spec'd out to the max. and what could it include?

Just wondering what some other peoples thoughts or ideas were.

Cheers,
6t6m

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by 6t6m

I don't really know if this is a worthwhile thread or not but if the mods think its not then just go ahead and delete it ... BUT

What I was thinking about is what Ford could do in replacement of the LWB models... is there the possibility that there is something else in the Ford family that could fill the gap? (only thing i can think of would be "old" Lincoln Towncar).. If thats not possible how about a SWB Falcon thats spec'd out to the max. and what could it include?

Just wondering what some other peoples thoughts or ideas were.

Cheers,
6t6m

A Ghia turbo with the lot would be a worthy replacement.

As for the LWB, stuff the segment all together unless you can secure exports aswell.

Originally Posted by Vdouw

Hey man if you look through there is another thread about this ... but yea to answer your question thats the FPV Force 6 & 8's job.

Again...no its not, there should be a luxury car that doesn't wear a FPV badge.

[Vdouw]

Hey man if you look through there is another thread about this ... but yea to answer your question thats the FPV Force 6 & 8's job.

[6t6m]

Yeh I did have a look through that other thread but thought that this was probably a little off track of that one...

I agree in theory ... in theory (sorry, Simpsons pun) that the Force's compete there but they are also seen as a sports model because they are produced by FPV. There is going to be that market of people generally over 50 who used to buy LWB but wont buy FPV. They probably wont buy Fairmont Ghia either because that will be seen as a backwards step from their current BA Fairlane.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by 6t6m

Yeh I did have a look through that other thread but thought that this was probably a little off track of that one...

I agree in theory ... in theory (sorry, Simpsons pun) that the Force's compete there but they are also seen as a sports model because they are produced by FPV. There is going to be that market of people generally over 50 who used to buy LWB but wont buy FPV. They probably wont buy Fairmont Ghia either because that will be seen as a backwards step from their current BA Fairlane.

The majority of people that buy new fairlanes are die hard (lol..more pun) Ford lovers, I doubt they buy them for the rear leg room. Even then, the majority of buyers are over 50 and are never in the back anyway.

They are brought because they are the flagship of the Ford range, if that happens to be a SWB instead then I still think they will buy it. Plus a LWB isn't thaaaat much bigger in the back.

Again, I say leave the segment alone, if Holden didn't have their exports I seriously doubt there would be a new Statesman.

Does anyone know how the BF2 Ghia is selling? Thats one hot looking car.:

/waits for iphido to bring out his list again...LOL

[Fairlane]

Replacements for Ford or the owner. In case of the owners i think the old skoolers just hold on to what theyve got for as long as they can, whilst everyone else with go to Statesmans.

The most likely replacement will probably be an uber spec Fairmont Ghia, likely XT will go, Futura will become the new base, Fairmont the new "Berlina" and Fairmont ghia will get split into sporty like the BF2 update and uber luxury models (once again like the VE, wager the sporty model will get a new name- Maybe return of the old ESP).

Personally id like to see Aus get some of the new Lincolns but that wont happen unless Cadillac really puts the fear of god into Ford Australia .so no return to the old days with the return of the big US Fords/Lincolns- The Town car despite me likeing them (yes im an oddball) and despite them haveing a great owner satisfaction record, would be a disaster of Taurus Esque stature in Australia today.

[6t6m]

I should have been a bit more specific, I was referring to the Ford line up and what they would replace them with. My guess at this point in time would be that they will add a model above Fairmont Ghia possibly even named Fairlane that has all the goods... this might not be a bad thing as it could still be differentiated from a Fairmont if Ford put some thought into making it look different.
Now that you bring it up though the people that wish to update will have to rethink plans probably based on their usage. A family member of mine has always owned Fairlane's and recently i pleaded with him to consider a Fairmont Ghia instead of a Fairlane because there is only him and his wife... Not long after our conversation he went out and bought a second hand BA Fairlane with 15000kms because "they ride better"

[Polyal]

A SWB car with a fairlane name, no way.

If you had to, you could have the fairmont ghia, and then have say an additional luxury/sports pack whatever; similar to the R Spec stuff with the FPV's.

But when does that leave the normal old Fairmont?

Keep the current line up, get rid of the LWB and XT and thats all you need. Just give people options!

[Road_Warrior]

If you download and read the latest e-news from Mellor there is an article about the Fairlane and how it 'may not' be 'totally' dead after this model is finalised. It cites things like US development, potential export for the ME markets and whatnot. However, it did say the name Fairlane, not the LWB car that Fairlane actually is.

Personally I can see Fairlane coming back, but as a US developed and built car based off the Orion platform. Say 2009, as that is when the Crown Victoria is slated to be finished.

[irsa76]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

If you download and read the latest e-news from Mellor there is an article about the Fairlane and how it 'may not' be 'totally' dead after this model is finalised. It cites things like US development, potential export for the ME markets and whatnot. However, it did say the name Fairlane, not the LWB car that Fairlane actually is.

Personally I can see Fairlane coming back, but as a US developed and built car based off the Orion platform. Say 2009, as that is when the Crown Victoria is slated to be finished.

Nice theory, except the current Panther series has been "slated to be discontinued" since the late 1990s. Unless Ford Australia can prove the Orion can do the job of the Crown Vic, that is Police and Taxi, then there is no reason for Ford to stop production since they have approx 80% if the Police market.

[Nikked]

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...

[Paull]

Why would they bring it back when no one is buying it? Also, do you think the Aussie's are going to go for the imported seppo barge????

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Paull

Why would they bring it back when no one is buying it? Also, do you think the Aussie's are going to go for the imported seppo barge????

Slap a Lincoln badge on it and I reckon they would, but thats not the point; for are atleast 2 years to late for that.

[andrewts]

Can you honestly see Mum and the kids going down to the shops to pick up a prescription and some rolls for lunch in that?

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by andrewts

Can you honestly see Mum and the kids going down to the shops to pick up a prescription and some rolls for lunch in that?

LOL...fairlanes were/are not used like that anyway.

And I see heaps of families in 300C's around Geelong. Like I said, that concept above is over due, and would look like a blatant copy if it was released.

[andrewts]

Originally Posted by Polyal

LOL...fairlanes were/are not used like that anyway.

And I see heaps of families in 300C's around Geelong. Like I said, that concept above is over due, and would look like a blatant copy if it was released.

True_2:. I guess what you said earlier is true, you'd be enthusiastic to want to sacrafice practicality for prestige.

I wouldn't bother too much with a new LWB car, Ford is wasting their money if they did, more money it can use to pimp the Falcon or the Territory.

[uranium_death]

LWB models have shown that if Ford do not spend enough on making them a) good and b) unique, they'll fail, as the BA model Fairlane has shown.

Ford need to get sales back on track for the Falcon and I would rather see the Falcon kill.

I do not want to see another half-baked effort in the Fairlane. I would rather let the concept hibernate for now and maybe sometime when perception changes and large cars become favourable again, then Ford may think about production. Also, if the Fairlane is reintroduced, an export deal is an absolute must.

[LeadFoot81]

Wasnt there a rumour of Ford introducing a Territory Variant, the equal of Fairlane/LTD to cash in on growing SUV sales?

[LeadFoot81]

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...

Thats exactly what Ford wanted to do, but no export deal can be done at this point unfortuantely.

[aussiblue]

I suspect there might be an imported Crown Victoria soon rebadged as a Fairlane.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

I suspect there might be an imported Crown Victoria soon rebadged as a Fairlane.

Not a hope in hell, some aussies might be dumb but they are not stupid. Do they even make them in RHD? I dont think so. Chances are the next Fairlane, if there is one, will be sold here as a Fairlane, and in the US as whatever.

I remember reading that there was some LHD R&D being done, so if it does happen it will be when the equivalent US car is due to retire.

[aussiblue]

or



It's been contemplated by Ford Oz before.

[aussiblue]

Or a Crown Vic Grand Marquis



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

[Polyal]

You must be drunk, because no sober person could contemplate even searching for those pics in the first place.

[aussiblue]

Yes drowning my sorrows after the announcement of no more Fairlanes or LTD's and contemplating the more likely import replacements.

[aussiblue]

The article here http://mellor.carsales.com.au/mellor...o_enews335.pdf
suggests the Crown Vic might go the way of the Fairlane too so perhaps there might be a world LWB replacement for both with more style made in North America.

[Polyal]

I can see Ford copying GM, and there is nothing wrong with that. FoA will do all the R&D, and then it will be built else where and imported back here.

Then that frees up time for the falcon, and exports; therefore we wont loose jobs in the process; a nice little utopia there..LOL

[stang01]

dont tell me that crown vic in that pic is the current model, it looks like a 90's model car and ugly as

[aussiblue]

Yes; see http://www.ford.ca/english/default_flash.asp?language= for current models pics.

Here for the Lincoln http://www.ford.ca/main/default.asp?...FC&prospectId=

and here for the Crown Vic Grand Maquis
http://www.ford.ca/main/default.asp?...=Grand+Marquis

[aussiblue]

The 360 degree views on those links are interesting. The lack of centre consoles suggest they are aimed at the police and taxi market but the twin exhaust system on the Lincoln looks good (underneath view). It also show the common platform. At least it is RWD.