Could the Mondeo replace the Falcon?

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by BDA074

Can the Mondeo/Fusion (I prefer the name Fusion) replace the Falcon by itself? No...
As a portfolio with the Ranger and Mustang? Absolutely!
Falcon Family Car = Mondeo/Fusion
Falcon Ute = Ranger
Falcon XR6 + XR6T = Mondeo/Fusion ST with 3.6V6 Ecoboost AWD
Falcon V8's = Mustang

Plus you get the potential benefits of a Mondeo/Fusion Wagon/Hybrid/AWD version.

Time will tell but I believe the future still looks very exciting for Ford AUS...

Yeah but you're forgetting that:

Fusion - isn't a Falcon and can't do burnouts
Ranger - isn't a Falcon and can't do burnouts
Mustang - can do burnouts but still isn't a Falcon

So your logic is null and void.

;)

[stang65]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

Yeah but you're forgetting that:

Fusion - isn't a Falcon and can't do burnouts
Ranger - isn't a Falcon and can't do burnouts
Mustang - can do burnouts but still isn't a Falcon

So your logic is null and void.

;)

Seriously what a poor reply, anybody would think that you hate the Falcon with that statement.

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Not everyone wants a ball tearing turbo or a tow car. In my eyes they are the only areas it fell down.
Anyway I probably aren't going to buy a new version of either As they don't suit my needs.

And these are the people they built the camry for

I miss the falcon wagon but that's really the only thing this ford Camry does that the falcon no longer did

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by stang65;48222I3

Seriously what a poor reply, anybody would think that you hate the Falcon with that statement.

Just being cheeky and having some fun with the reasoning some have for dissing Fomoco's imported offerings.

Anybody might think I hate the Falcon with that statement...but if they checked my signature, they'd see I own two Falcon XR8s (I'm aiming for a third in December incidentally)

I love Falcons, but I accept their limitations in this 21st century Australia we're living in. On the flip side the Mrs and I have a Fiesta and a Focus as dailies (yet both cars are more than overqualified for A to B duties) I respect Ford's offerings in this country all the way from the first Falcon to the latest Kuga. All those cars have the 'Ford DNA' in them, some of the reasoning members use to dismiss certain models is ridiculous.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

And these are the people they built the camry for

I miss the falcon wagon but that's really the only thing this ford Camry does that the falcon no longer did

So there is a diesel Camry now? Or a wagon.

The mondeo does everything but tow and have a fast model in my eyes. Anyway it won't replace falcon for me because I would never have purchased a new falcon.

Each to their own though.

[The Yeti]

I said I missed the wagon

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by JimStone

Rear end squat is less than the Fairmont had with same load.... amazing thing is it handles surprisingly well when loaded to the limits, whereas the Fairmont (even with Tickford suspension) was no where near as stable. You guys should really try driving one before writing them of as unworthy.

Rear end squat on a RWD car = more traction
Rear end squat on a FWD car = less traction

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Rear end squat on a RWD car = more traction
Rear end squat on a FWD car = less traction

Yea but the steerings really light

Now swap the camper for a boat, that's lots of fun trying to pull a boat out of the water with a nose high FWD car on a wet ramp

But the mondeo replaces the falcon as a family friendly do all car

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Yea but the steerings really light

Now swap the camper for a boat, that's lots of fun trying to pull a boat out of the water with a nose high FWD car on a wet ramp

But the mondeo replaces the falcon as a family friendly do all car

Last time I was near a boat ramp, 11ty billion Navaras, Rangers, Rodeo/Colorado's and Hilux's...

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Yea but the steerings really light

Now swap the camper for a boat, that's lots of fun trying to pull a boat out of the water with a nose high FWD car on a wet ramp

But the mondeo replaces the falcon as a family friendly do all car

Doesnt even need to be a boat ramp, hill start in the wet would be amusing in a FWD with that much squat...

[flappist]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Yea but the steerings really light

Now swap the camper for a boat, that's lots of fun trying to pull a boat out of the water with a nose high FWD car on a wet ramp

But the mondeo replaces the falcon as a family friendly do all car

Funny you should mention that. Living in a city that has a LOT of ocean facing boat ramps it is not uncommon to see RWD vehicles spinning in the wet mud or sand while FWD vehicles do not as the front of the car is ABOVE the high tide mark where the concrete is clean and dry.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

I respect Ford's offerings in this country all the way from the first Falcon to the latest Kuga. All those cars have the 'Ford DNA' in them, some of the reasoning members use to dismiss certain models is ridiculous.

THIS!

A Ford is a Ford is a Ford. It doesn't matter where it's made, how many cylinders it's got or which wheels it drives. It's a Ford, and it has that 'Ford DNA' which makes them a Ford, not to mention the blue oval badge.

[b2428]

Originally Posted by flappist

Funny you should mention that. Living in a city that has a LOT of ocean facing boat ramps it is not uncommon to see RWD vehicles spinning in the wet mud or sand while FWD vehicles do not as the front of the car is ABOVE the high tide mark where the concrete is clean and dry.

HAHA it's funny you should say that, years ago our local ramp we used was really bad. We had a 16 footer at the time and on numerous occasions we either sat on the boot of the ea or had a person on the boot and also on the draw bar. You see that when we went to go up the ramp it was like the trailer weighted took enough weight of the rear when we went to go up. And for some reason the extra weight over the rear of car from a few blokes was the only way we could help it.

Now before you say but wait FWD would be worse. Half the problem arose from the rear wheels sitting in the wet moss area. So yes less weight over front would be a disadvantage but sometimes this can be overcome by simple things like being a dry area.

To those that are saying that Mondeos cant tow, the diesel model I have (MA) I swear is rated to 1.6t. Now there are ways to combat rear squat, one being polly bags etc. Isn't 1.6t the same to what we were used to esp prior to BA. And I can guarantee the majority of bars for a lot of falcons are only rated to this anyway.

Just food for thought. If i had to tow less the 1.6t I wouldnt hesitate to use my Mondeo, anything over and up to 2.3 I have the BA. More then this and being sensible and even if towing up to 2.3 a full size wagon or ute is honestly a much better option. Well thats my view anyway

[FalconXV]

I think it will be a fine replacement, and Mondeo sales will definately go up when Falcon goes, depending on where its made.
I had an MC Titanium for a few days, and it was a far classier and more premium product than Falcon, a real joy to drive, loved the technology. It could definately use more power though, maybe they could do something similar to the Insignia, and make the Ecoboost standard fare, the higher state of tune now Falcons going. Be good to have some ST/ sports oriented models though. Theres a TDCi AWD in Europe- that would fill the towing void, so Yes if Ford really tried, it could replace the Falcon and enjoy maybe 70% of its sales.

[Nikked]

So...


The crux of this whole entire argument is "Could the Mondeo replace the Falcon", according to some, the falcon cannot be replaced...

Yet the falcon is a magnificent car that covers a lot of bases, but it (and the Commodore) have faced a decline in the last decade...


So obviously, the Falcon is being replaced, by other cars that can cover the same ground that the falcon could cover.

What is important for Ford, is to make sure that they are still here, and that there are other options beyond the falcon. The Ranger has done this greatly, and its up to Ford to get the market revved up for the T6 SUV, Mustang, and what ever else that they wish to bring...


Would be cool to see the blue oval on top of the charts again...

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by flappist

Funny you should mention that. Living in a city that has a LOT of ocean facing boat ramps it is not uncommon to see RWD vehicles spinning in the wet mud or sand while FWD vehicles do not as the front of the car is ABOVE the high tide mark where the concrete is clean and dry.

Ive been on a steep hill at traffic lights and seen the FG Ute's rear wheels spin while AWD SUVs just plant and go

and for those curious, the European Mondeo with larger 2.2 diesel is rated to tow 2200 kg,
the Diesel is a lot heavier in the nose, improving traction for the added torque which is similar to the I-6.

[mik]

do we have the european mondeo here???

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by mik

do we have the european mondeo here???

yes/no...


we have the 2l Duratorq, but not the 2.2...

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Nikked

So...


The crux of this whole entire argument is "Could the Mondeo replace the Falcon", according to some, the falcon cannot be replaced...

Yet the falcon is a magnificent car that covers a lot of bases, but it (and the Commodore) have faced a decline in the last decade...


So obviously, the Falcon is being replaced, by other cars that can cover the same ground that the falcon could cover.

...

The Falcon can be replaced by multiple cars, but not just one. Mondeo cannot cover many bases bar XT and G6/G6E, and even then it doesn't offer a 6 or LPi.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The Falcon can be replaced by multiple cars, but not just one. Mondeo cannot cover many bases bar XT and G6/G6E, and even then it doesn't offer a 6 or LPi.

Well maybe that is the answer.

Instead of making one car that sort of does most of the stuff people want, make several specialised cars that do the things that people want well.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by flappist

Well maybe that is the answer.

Instead of making one car that sort of does most of the stuff people want, make several specialised cars that do the things that people want well.

And its more likely a result of the relative affordability of cars these days, most families seem to have 2 cars, while our parents (or grand parents) had the one "do all" car.


That and SUV's and dual cab utes are becoming more comfortable these days...

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by flappist

Well maybe that is the answer.

Instead of making one car that sort of does most of the stuff people want, make several specialised cars that do the things that people want well.

You just described the Aussie car market....

Falcon and commodore have always been jack of all trades, master of none.

Now with the amount of choice people have, they can choose the exact right car for them, no need to suffer 'compromised' cars. Relatively of course.

[jpd80]

It's a credit that Falcon and Commodore lasted so long by spreading their envelopes as wide as they did.


We can only wonder what suite of vehicles would have been possible if both had been medium cars
with extensions up and down as well as Sportswagon or SUV and Ute variants.