Falcon and Commodore: Possible saviours for FoMoCo and GM
In the Drive section of Saturdays SMH they had an article about the major losses for Ford. theyve been losing on average a couple of billion dollars a year over the past couple of years, and along with GM might have to consider being split up and sold off to other companies if money doesnt start being made.
Enter the Falcon and Commodore. These 2 cars are going to have completely new models coming 2006 and could be exported to America by 2007.
The current Falcon is about half way between a Taurus and Crown Victoria, and its 4.0L I6 is more powerful than the Crown Victorias 4.6L V8, and also comes with a turbo version of the motor alongside a 24 valve 5.4L and a 32 valve 5.4L.
The current Commodore comes with 2 versions of the Buick all iron V6 and the Gen 3 in multiple outputs.
Well considering that GM made a profit last year, and Ford is putting out 65 new models in the next couple years, you might be a little to quick in sayin that australian cars are going to save us.
But your nice cars are always welcome, bring um over before we need to be saved.
Well Ford and GM in general are making profits, but their automobile divisions are in serious trouble. GM makes about $21 profit per car and i dont know the figure for Ford, but hey had to pay over $5Billion in damages over the firestone/explorer rollover's. practically its the financial divisions of the 2 companies keeping them together
Originally posted by american muscle Well considering that GM made a profit last year, and Ford is putting out 65 new models in the next couple years, you might be a little to quick in sayin that australian cars are going to save us.
But your nice cars are always welcome, bring um over before we need to be saved.
GM made a profit last year by cutting its overhead .... that means it made a profit by closing 2 production plants, reducing 3 shifts in other plants down to 2 and in some cases 1 shift, and laying off between 5500 and 7500 workers over the past 3 years in North America alone.
I do wish the Falcon would make it's way over here, it's a beautifull car, has some nice engine choices, is roomy enough for a family, and puts it's power down through the rear wheels.
I can see it now........The SVT Falcon (or whatever they decide to call it when it makes it to America), with six speed manual tranny, 18 inch wheels front and rear, and most importantly a 5.4 V8 (possibly supercharged) making anywhere from 390-500 horse power.
How's that for a bargain M5 competitor? Well anyway, I think it would be a very nice vehicle.
Most wanted cars:
Ford GT, Aston Martin DB9, Nissan Skyline R-34 V-Spec II, 2004 SVT Cobra Mustang, VW Golf R32, TVR Cerbera 4.5, Ford Focus RS, Aston Martin Vanquish S
Still waiting.....Shelby Cobra, Shelby GR1, 2006 Ford Lightning, Next generation SVT Mustang Cobra 2006? Mazda Speed RX8
Well currently the top of the line Falcon is an FPV GT. It comes with a 390hp naturally aspirated, 4 valve 5.4L V8 available in either 4 speed auto or 5 speed auto. That does the quarter mile in just under 14 seconds and weighs 1835kg. Next year, Ford are going to add the 6 speed auto that Jaguar use from ZF to the upper class Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia, as well as the XR6T, XR8 and FPV range. It has also been rumoured that Ford are going to make an attempt to take some weight out of the Falcon next year for its series 2 update to further enhance its performance and handling. David Flint, the head of FPV and also former head of Aston Martin, has had talks with i think its John Colletti, the head of SVT, about using the supercharged 4V 5.4L engine in an upcoming car, and has been given the answer "all you'd have to do is ask", but FPV are more likely to build up a supercharged engine off the GT's engine, using locally sourced parts. Next year, FPV will also add a 280kw/375hp turbo I6 model to their lineup, based on the XR6T. If these cars made their way to America. the FPV models would more than likely be badged as an SVT model to save any confusion about the presence of 2 performance arms.
Whether you think GM and Ford need Australias help or not, its already started with the importing of Holden Monaro's to America badged as Pontiac GTO's
Here is a picture of a race GT contested in the recent Bathurst 24hr
Originally posted by NoOne GM made a profit last year by cutting its overhead .... that means it made a profit by closing 2 production plants, reducing 3 shifts in other plants down to 2 and in some cases 1 shift, and laying off between 5500 and 7500 workers over the past 3 years in North America alone.
Yeah, but never the less there market share went up...but not this year. Maybe next year with the new malibu and Colorado and Equinox.
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