Ford Flagship...

[LTDmonger]

Ok, I'm a LWB RWD fan.
I'm still bitter after Ford's axing of the LWB series in 07.
With the 'one Ford philosophy' what is the 'top notch' Ford sedan that one can aspire to own?
Lincoln?...check out the line-up. Krill grilled dressed up Turusses and SUV's...SUV-AWD= uncool.
GM.Chrysler all have rwd platforms...the Mustang!
People,stop getting starry eyed about pics of a car that nobody know's what looks like!
Does anyone share my confusion?
And yes, I have owned many a Falcon/Fairlane/LTD
I may be young but my first new car purchase was a AU Forte police pak in 98.

[Pepscobra]

Ford won't have a 'flagship' as such anymore, as previously was the LTD.
It will have a new hero car in the new Mustang GT500.

[mik]

No flagship is a bit of a shame really, and a dumb move imo, having a flagship with your company badge on it to me adds a bit of prestige to the company, look at toyota, it spent big on lexus back in 1990 and onwards, and now many of the lesser models are associated with lexus quality.

[Moby Vic]

In the US Ford is putting most of its marketing might behind the Fusion. The Crown Victoria died in 2011. By that point it was nothing like a flagship, but it was Ford's biggest car.

The closest thing to a replacement for it is the Taurus, with the tp model being the SHO. But Ford doesn't really push the Taurus, probably due to fuel economy concerns.

And Lincoln is pushing the all-new MKZ, which is a midsize car that shares a chassis (and little else) with the Fusion, instead of the full-size MKS (which shares a chassis with the Taurus).

Most manufacturers in the US are pushing fuel efficiency and technology now, not sprawling luxury. (And of course the F Series is still Ford's best seller.)

[nothin suss]

It was nice to have a 'flagship' model in the lineup but it didn't sell (and had terrible resale) so it got canned.
Luckily for people like me that wanted a second hand one!

[Bobman]

Just bought my first ever LWB Ford (last of the series Fairlane) and will enjoy it for years to come.

Also a pity that we don't have any more Fairlane/LTD models, but I always thought the flagship was/is now the G6ET, post-2008.

The other option is to jump to the BMW 5/7 series as next best thing in my mind.

[chevypower]

20 years ago you had to decide if you wanted comfort, performance, economy, off-road ability, or towing capability. If you chose one, you would sacrifice all others. Those days are gone, and that's probably why the species that excel in only one of those areas have been chosen for extinction by natural selection.

[Iggypoppin']

Originally Posted by Bobman

Just bought my first ever LWB Ford (last of the series Fairlane) and will enjoy it for years to come.

Also a pity that we don't have any more Fairlane/LTD models, but I always thought the flagship was/is now the G6ET, post-2008.

The other option is to jump to the BMW 5/7 series as next best thing in my mind.

AU lane I didn't like,
BA I didn't want after having an XR6
S class not what I wanted style wise
7 series got the nod. Highest level of class, very long wheel base, V8, flagship of BMW in the 90's.
it's a pity the fairlane struggled to sell, it was such a nice car(even though the styling was never to my taste) and I'd have considered one if it weren't for the BMW being so so good.

[2011G6E]

Phht...the last good Fairlane was the ZH...

Flame suit fitted...

[The Yeti]

According to another thread its the mondeo it apprently replaces the Falcon in every way

[Iggypoppin']

2011G6E: I'd almost be inclined to agree except maybe the fairlane modeled off the EL. I thought that was a classy car.

[Moby Vic]

When I was in Australia I looked everywhere I could for books on Australian Fords. All I've really been able to find is Falcon GT stuff. I couldn't find anything at all about Fairlanes. They don't seem to be documented very well.

Someone should write a comprehensive history of Ford of Australia. I've got a grat book about Ford of Britain, but of course it was written after Dagenham closed.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by mik

No flagship is a bit of a shame really, and a dumb move imo, having a flagship with your company badge on it to me adds a bit of prestige to the company, look at toyota, it spent big on lexus back in 1990 and onwards, and now many of the lesser models are associated with lexus quality.

Hrrm, previously it was the LTD that did this but I guess as buyers moved away from full size sedans they had to look at something else.

I guess you could say the G6ET and the Territory Titanium are the flagships but only in terms of being the range toppers of that particular model line.

They should have done an LTD Territory and tapped into that booming luxury SUV market.

[bobwm]

I would have thought that at some point the FPV GT-E would have been it for Ford Australia.

Especially since it seems that's what the top execs at Ford Aus were driving...

[mik]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Hrrm, previously it was the LTD that did this but I guess as buyers moved away from full size sedans they had to look at something else.

I guess you could say the G6ET and the Territory Titanium are the flagships but only in terms of being the range toppers of that particular model line.

They should have done an LTD Territory and tapped into that booming luxury SUV market.

Taking nothing away from the high spec falcon /FPV models, but I reckon a lot of the general public would not even be aware of them, yet if you said to a non car person , I have a Ford LTD or Fairlane most would know instantly you were talking an up market ford.
Territory LTD has a nice ring to it. :-) .

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by Iggypoppin'

2011G6E: I'd almost be inclined to agree except maybe the fairlane modeled off the EL. I thought that was a classy car.

Ye G6E with EcoLPi... Sweet as candy with big wheels.

[blackf6]

Flagship- Big F350 daully!

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by teak81

Flagship- Big F350 daully!

What about an F650 LOLLLLLL!

[Road_Warrior]

> thread

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Phht...the last good Fairlane was the ZH...

Flame suit fitted...

Throw in the P6 LTD too. Last of the REAL long wheelbase luxo Fords that was clearly different both inside and outside to it's smaller brother.

I can't see us getting any real luxo LWB Fords in the future unless Ford/Lincoln do what they are doing with the 'Stang and produce worldwide RHD cars, essentially emulating Lexus/Toyota.

[GASWAGON]

Bloody hell is the truck from U.S or U.K? Wonder what sort of motor it runs?

[neptune blue]

I once owned a ZG fairlane and I loved it
The demise of the ford flag ship vehicle was as a result of very poor sales of the "AU" model LTD/ Fairlane which I thought was hideous

Ford had a stranglehold on this market for years and rightly so as their product was way better than the statesman

My how things change

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

When I was in Australia I looked everywhere I could for books on Australian Fords. All I've really been able to find is Falcon GT stuff. I couldn't find anything at all about Fairlanes. They don't seem to be documented very well.

Someone should write a comprehensive history of Ford of Australia. I've got a grat book about Ford of Britain, but of course it was written after Dagenham closed.

There has been a few good books about FoA. The best one was called True Blue- 75 years of Ford in Australia. Came out in 2001 or around that time.

I've got 2 copies, all employees got one.

[TheZHLANE]

I'd love a bf ltd! just cant afford or justify getting one when the df ltd ticks all the boxes.

[FalconXV]

I agree it'd be great to have a new flagship. But I am thinking more along the lines of Phaeton/Equus. Just think- The Ford brand is strong enough to be affixed to an exotic supercar (GT), it could definately be affixed to a technological tour-de-force uber limo.
An aluminium or CF bodied sedan that would be embraced by Germany, China and US alike.

Maybe offer a Lincoln version, but personally I think Lincoln has become a cheesy, stale marque. If VW can do the Phaeton while still owning Audi, then Ford could pull it off. A halo model can do wonders, and elevate Ford above other pretenders.

A true One Ford effort, that combines the very best from each region. But Lincoln's existence is an obstacle to this ever happening :(

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

I agree it'd be great to have a new flagship. But I am thinking more along the lines of Phaeton/Equus

Phaeton was a flop, and I don't think Equus is doing all that great either. I think if Ford decides there is a market for LWB sedans, it should do what it did for the new XJ (which I think was done before Tata took over). I could see that shape as a Lincoln, or something close to it, with even more masculinity and boldness.

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by neptune blue

I once owned a ZG fairlane and I loved it
The demise of the ford flag ship vehicle was as a result of very poor sales of the "AU" model LTD/ Fairlane which I thought was hideous

Ford had a stranglehold on this market for years and rightly so as their product was way better than the statesman

My how things change

The demise of Fairlane/LTD was due to the luxury LWB market drying up. Ford twigged onto this very early...resulting in a half hearted B-Series Fairlane and a quiet wrap up of the badge with BF. Holden openly admitted the only reason they were able to release a VE Statesman was exports, and the lack of a Fairlane competitor bolstered sales for a few years. The half baked VF Caprice is proof the jig is well and truly up.

I guess it's easy to just blame the AU for everything instead of opening your eyes and being informed.

[jpd80]

Full sized Luxury car sector has basically evaporated, Holden can't even get decent sales of Caprice here.
I think its an indication of the shift in buyer preferences for large luxury SUVs over traditional LWB sedans.

[FalconXV]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Phaeton was a flop, and I don't think Equus is doing all that great either. I think if Ford decides there is a market for LWB sedans, it should do what it did for the new XJ (which I think was done before Tata took over). I could see that shape as a Lincoln, or something close to it, with even more masculinity and boldness.

Well VW obviously sees fit to forge ahead with a new model thats coming out soon. Its not about being profitable, its about having a halo model that can show what the company is capable of.
I think Ford has enough brand recognition and history to pull off a limited run of luxury sedans with cutting edge technology- it would be to demonstrate Ford's superiority. BTW I think they should euthanise Lincoln.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

Its not about being profitable, its about having a halo model that can show what the company is capable of.

If it's a true halo car, people will want it really badly. If people want it really badly, many people will buy it. If many people buy it, it will be profitable. I've been in the US for nearly 6 years, I have seen more DeLoreans on the road than Phaetons. And they don't even need roads.

Originally Posted by FalconXV

BTW I think they should euthanise Lincoln.

They probably should. Or do something useful with it. Some Jag-like cars, as I said before. A Lincoln coupe on the new Mustang platform. The current lineup is crap.