Why aren't Falcons sold in America ???

[Oxa384]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Every time I give my opinion on what the Falcon needs to do well in America, someone on here goes off at me like I just insulted his mother, so I better not. :P

thats very sad.isnt this a forum?a place where opinions are welcomed?imagine if everyone had this veiw it would be a quiet old place...

[buickman]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Every time I give my opinion on what the Falcon needs to do well in America, someone on here goes off at me like I just insulted his mother, so I better not. :P

Oh, what the heck....

3.5 EcoBoost, 5.0 V8 GT

RWD and AWD option

8 speed auto

agressive/sporty styling to attract the enthusiast - go directly after the Charger SRT8, If the top model cannot slaughter the SRT8, CTS-V, and M5, then forget it. People will perceive it to be Ford's weakness. In fact, only do sports models. I wouldn't do the G6/E or XT.

It really has a lot of competion at the pricing Ford would have the sell the car in LHD form in the US.
Ford’s F-series pickups (No.1), and GM’s Chevrolet Silverado (No.2) are America’s sales champs, as they have been for years and I would say that the Falcon to be sold over there would be competing in thier price range as well.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by buickman

It really has a lot of competion at the pricing Ford would have the sell the car in LHD form in the US.
Ford’s F-series pickups (No.1), and GM’s Chevrolet Silverado (No.2) are America’s sales champs, as they have been for years and I would say that the Falcon to be sold over there would be competing in thier price range as well.

I would say something like $25-30k for an XR6 (non turbo spec) using the 3.7 V6
$30-35k for XR6T (3.5 EB)
$40k for GT, $50k for a version that has the GT500 engine.

$2000 for AWD option.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by chevypower

I would say something like $25-30k for an XR6 (non turbo spec) using the 3.7 V6
$30-35k for XR6T (3.5 EB)
$40k for GT, $50k for a version that has the GT500 engine.

$2000 for AWD option.

this right here is one of the main reasons an australian made car won't be exported. they would largely be sold at a loss, so how does that benefit the aust. auto industry??

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Every time I give my opinion on what the Falcon needs to do well in America, someone on here goes off at me like I just insulted his mother, so I better not. :P

Well, what would an American know about what Americans like in vehicles?

(It amuses me how this sort of topic always includes some America bashing as well.)

[Elks]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Every time I give my opinion on what the Falcon needs to do well in America, someone on here goes off at me like I just insulted his mother, so I better not. :P

Oh, what the heck....

Don't take it personally old mate. There are people here who are arguing with everyone for no reason.

Originally Posted by chevypower

3.5 EcoBoost, 5.0 V8 GT

RWD and AWD option

8 speed auto

They FoA need to engineer in the 3.5 ecoboost sooner or later. And the 5.0 is done just no n/a version.

8 speed is evolution

AWD I think would be a no. Although the components exist for territory.

Having driven from Chicago to New York. Though the snow ( and a blizzard). I now have a better understanding of how US cars and pick up trucks have evolved. The idea of having to fit a snow plow to the front of a Falcon ute i ridiculous. But in northern USA in mid winter it's common.

Chevy perhaps you have some pics of this you can share.

[chevypower]

Hopefully this works. My wife's Sonata enjoying the cold white stuff.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Every time I give my opinion on what the Falcon needs to do well in America, someone on here goes off at me like I just insulted his mother, so I better not. :P

LOL,American sites do the same to me when i suggest Falcon, it's seen as as basically two generations behind the market.

Examples of comments on new GT Falcon variant:

Not bad looking but the styling is still stuck in the late 1990's-early 2000's

I love the fact its RWD and V8, I'm all for it, but the styling reminds me quite a bit of what Chrysler did with the 300...tuck, tuck, cut and it's just getting tiring this late in the game, but more power to them...

I don't see how this equates to Lincoln getting anything anytime soon. And no, slapping a Lincoln grille on this car wouldn't make them any more credible in the least.

That Falcon Boss is bad@ss looking, and is what the Taurus SHO should be, RWD with a screaming V8.

I find the FG Falcon's styling to be classic, functional, understated, and elegant. It should stand the test of time better than flamboyant and overdone designs from the mid to late 2000s.

And ideal for a "Q Ship" like this latest high performance variant. :shades:

unfortunately I doubt it would work here...too late to the party as such....actually looks a tad dated to me...

I don't think it's standing the test of time now, let alone how it'll hold up in another 20-30 years.

I was in NZ 12 years ago and saw a new Falcon and thought it was........interesting, even hot in XR trim, but not the most attractive car even then.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by jpd80

LOL,American sites do the same to me when i suggest Falcon, it's seen as as basically two generations behind the market.

I think although some changes need to be made, in general, a RWD/AWD sports sedan with a retro name (to America) like "Falcon" to compete with the Charger and SS Performance (Commodore) could do well.

If it is styled much like the 2013 Mondeo/Fusion, it will work. It appeals to the Yanks and Europeans. I am sure Aussies like it too.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by chevypower

I think although some changes need to be made, in general, a RWD/AWD sports sedan with a retro name (to America) like "Falcon" to compete with the Charger and SS Performance (Commodore) could do well.

I agree, Falcon and Mustang could and should be sold alongside each other.
it's the most logical way to cover that niche and show GM and Chrysler up for
not having the brains to deliver cost efficient solutions to a still important niche.

Ford has not given up on large cars, it's just down their priority list and also
contingent on what is requires in a few global markets apart from USA and Australia.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by jpd80

LOL,American sites do the same to me when i suggest Falcon, it's seen as as basically two generations behind the market.

Examples of comments on new GT Falcon variant:

Really? If Falcon is two generations behind, what's Taurus? Or (current) Fusion?

Personally, I think the Falcon is way better looking than both. I've never been a fan of US-market Fords.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by NX74205

Really? If Falcon is two generations behind, what's Taurus? Or (current) Fusion?

Personally, I think the Falcon is way better looking than both. I've never been a fan of US-market Fords.

This is the difference in styling that Ford faces, a difference that will disappear in 2014.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

LOL,American sites do the same to me when i suggest Falcon, it's seen as as basically two generations behind the market.

Examples of comments on new GT Falcon variant:

They wouldn't know a good looking car if it ran over them. Probably half the current crop of american cars these days are just plain awful.

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

They wouldn't know a good looking car if it ran over them. Probably half the current crop of american cars these days are just plain awful.

Yeah, right. There's never been an attractive American car. American styling has never been imitated in Australia or anywhere else.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Every time I give my opinion on what the Falcon needs to do well in America, someone on here goes off at me like I just insulted his mother, so I better not. :P

Oh, what the heck....

3.5 EcoBoost, 5.0 V8 GT

RWD and AWD option

8 speed auto

agressive/sporty styling to attract the enthusiast - go directly after the Charger SRT8, If the top model cannot slaughter the SRT8, CTS-V, and M5, then forget it. People will perceive it to be Ford's weakness. In fact, only do sports models. I wouldn't do the G6/E or XT.

I don't get the 8 speed auto point. The stang and comaro has 6 speed and the comaro one is a real POS. An american built 6 speed would be more then ample.

As for styling well the Americans do have different tastes to Aussies. Seeing the Lincolns it shows the more ugly you can make a car the better for the US market.

[FPV GTHO]

8 speed would surely just be for the gadget factor. Normal driving the ZF6 already takes off in 2nd

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by vztrt

I don't get the 8 speed auto point. The stang and comaro has 6 speed and the comaro one is a real POS. An american built 6 speed would be more then ample.

As for styling well the Americans do have different tastes to Aussies. Seeing the Lincolns it shows the more ugly you can make a car the better for the US market.

Because its direct competitors are either 8 speed or about to go 8 speed. 6 speed is the new ordinary. 8 speeds gives you an edge now. But not for long. (GM can't make transmissions, they do it best when outsourcing to Allison), Chrysler is about to go all 8-speed, the Charger and 300 are 8 speed, the Hyundai Genesis sedan has 8 speeds.... As for the Lincoln thing, it's a lost cause - there is little doubt the whole brand needs an overhaul. Yes I agree, there are differences in tastes, but the Europeans don't seem to mind masculinity in designs, so as long as it's aggressive, but tasteful, it should do well globally as a sports sedan.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Because its direct competitors are either 8 speed or about to go 8 speed. 6 speed is the new ordinary. 8 speeds gives you an edge now. But not for long. (GM can't make transmissions, they do it best when outsourcing to Allison), Chrysler is about to go all 8-speed, the Charger and 300 are 8 speed, the Hyundai Genesis sedan has 8 speeds.... As for the Lincoln thing, it's a lost cause - there is little doubt the whole brand needs an overhaul. Yes I agree, there are differences in tastes, but the Europeans don't seem to mind masculinity in designs, so as long as it's aggressive, but tasteful, it should do well globally as a sports sedan.

That's basically what you are saying. Build a Charger/300 clone and slap Ford Falcon badges on it.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

That's basically what you are saying. Build a Charger/300 clone and slap Ford Falcon badges on it.

Precisely and that car is an example of why our Falcon's styling is seen as both dated and unsuitable.
They want bold styling, higher waistline and short overhangs, The Falcon styling is the complete opposite.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

That's basically what you are saying. Build a Charger/300 clone and slap Ford Falcon badges on it.

Sure, if you need to use rhetoric to make a point.

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

They wouldn't know a good looking car if it ran over them. Probably half the current crop of american cars these days are just plain awful.

And it appears you do.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by vztrt

I don't get the 8 speed auto point. The stang and comaro has 6 speed and the comaro one is a real POS. An american built 6 speed would be more then ample.

As for styling well the Americans do have different tastes to Aussies. Seeing the Lincolns it shows the more ugly you can make a car the better for the US market.

Ah, the difference is due to engine strategies.
GM and Chrysler are staying with larger engines and running them "off peak" with cylinder deactivation to achieve variable displacement
where as Ford is right into down-sized turbo Ecoboost engines, the increased efficiency means that staying with a 6-speed auto
is more than acceptable with a smaller, more efficient ecoboost engine


Our Falcon still reminds Americans too much of the rounded football Taurus,
today's hatred of that style is why they overcompensated with the big bold look...
The styling difference between the two countries is considerable and trying to make
one car suit both markets is almost impossible and the the reason a Falcon still exists.

[Nikked]

wow...just wow...


Some of those comments really highlight the difference between our to nations.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Nikked

wow...just wow...


Some of those comments really highlight the difference between our to nations.

Oh yeah, an acceptable "Falcon" to American would have to look more like a Dodge Charger
(My research of responses over the years is that they hate the AU-BA-BF-FG noses and the lack of scalloping on door skins)

[Uncle Niceguy]

im sure Americans would love a 4 door mustang, if they had the oppurtunity to buy one.

[Franco Cozzo]

Lets say next gen Falcon post 2016:

My idea is:

• LHD Friendly Design
• Fiesta/Focus inspired styling
• Ecoboost 4 for base models
• New 2.7L V6 for XR6
• 3.5L Ecoboost for XR6T
• RWD
• Designed in Australia, manufactured in Thailand/Mexico (for the USA)
• Entry level XT pricing $29,990

If it was to go FWD/AWD why bother with Falcon at all when you have Mondeo? Which a new one is nearly done for 2013 right?

If Falcon managed to get under $30K its a direct threat to Mazda 6, Cruze, Camry, etc. But thats not possible with it being manufactured in Australia.

[The Snout]

The yanks want a class leading car. So Falcon is automatically out. And we haven't even got to their tastes in styling, vastly different from ours.

[RASER]

Americans want Made In USA, and God bless'em!

USA has a oversupply of brands/models already, FoMoCo would not be interested and neither would the strong unions.

Exchange rate screws the deal, as does emissions.

Besides, they have the mighty F-Series!

[chevypower]

Ford will build any car it produces anywhere in the world right here in America if it thought the vehicle would do well in the US market. Many European-designed Fords are built domestically.

[Black F6]

Does the SS sell well in America?, if it does the Falcon is a better car, so should out sell it

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Black F6

Does the SS sell well in America?, if it does the Falcon is a better car, so should out sell it

If Americans want a HiPo Ford, they will always buy a Mustang [US Falcon DNA!]

Good in principal, it wont happen and would not sell, i think Ford are still burnt with the Aussie Capri [Mercury]