Found this comment about the FPV falcons




GT vs GTO?

I think they should - but the problem for the Yanks is that it would eat up thier sales of their Crown Victoria and show it for what it really is. And knowing how fiercely patriotic most Americans are, the Falcon hasn't got a chance.

Consider this - a few years ago Ford did have a LHD Falcon program in operation (in it's infancy) and was killed when the Ford brass realized the main markets for this thing would have been Saudi-Arabia etc where the Commodore is sold - and a main market for the Crown Vic. The only reason the Commodore has gotten a leg-up is due to the fact that GM stuffed up and dropped it's RWD Chevy Impala / Caprice replacing it with a 3.8 litre pushrod V6 POS (recognize those figures anyone?) powered FWD that left it out of the running for most prizes although 'ugly duckling' of the year was looking seriously close for a little while - saved only by the even uglier Taurus.

So yes - the Falcon would sell up a storm in the US. But no - the Yanks won't allow it. And besides - it may not be all we want to happen either - as if it were to sell in sufficient numbers the Americans would simply shut us down and make the car in America instead. This is the game GM must play if considering selling the Commodore Sedan in the US. The Monaro isn't the same sort of threat as it'll never sell in the sort of numbers needed to justify. But you never know...

I guess for Ford - Worldwide, if it was viable, they would have done it by now. I think Ford Australia is and always should be a seperate entity from Ford America or Ford Europe. I cant see why the XR 8 or Turbo wouldnt sell in the US - but they probably think its an under developed, technology lacking Australian car and would probably turn their nose up at it. I guess we should see how the Pontiac/Monaro goes.

I would hate for the Falcon to go overseas personally - its OURS. And who knows, if it did, and it went well, it wouldnt be developed just for Australians anymore would it?? And probably wouldn't be built here anymore either!!

What cars are high sellers in the US? We have the ute, what do they have? The Pick up?? What sells well?

Should Ford try to compete with the Monaro/GTO in the US?

No to exporting to U.S

It is hard enough getting an XA-XC coupe in oz without having the yanks import them for Mad Max replicas. Can Ford produce enough cars for the US? What about strikes? What about the design going to the US for production?
We don't want to lose Australia's namesake. We don't want to be importing what we were originally exporting because the US needs a new design.

Then think about the Territory.We can barely produce enough here.

Aussies dream of having a Mustang. Why can't we make the Americans dream of owning a Falcon?

It's hard to get XA-XC coupes here because they're all at Simms Metal. They are a 30 year old car that was not designed to last 50 years. PLus the seppos only have a hundred or two, not big numbers.

How would you like to be chasing a big tank E49 Charger, only 159 made so for the couple that have gone US, that is like 1.25% of total production.

I would love to see the Falcon exported, look what it has done for Holden in the GM scheme of things. The Dunnydore is sold throughout the Middle EAst, Asia and with their work here recognised in the US, they now have an engine plant supplying all of GMs markets.

Imagine what Ford Australia could do with the same opprtunities. The Territory, if it copuld be re-engineered for left hand drive markets would be sensational for Ford.

And Duggy, you better not reply to this post

Ummm - okay.

Jees Duggy, any other post it's I can't answer that, or, I won't be drawn into that speculation, etc etc.

So, is there any goss you can give us about export plans for Ford's products from Australia to other markets?

And, no I don't expect a serious answer

And by replying to this message, as mentioned elsewhere it should tell you that I really have no idea in regard to Ford's intentions on this subject (if I did, I wouldn't be able to talk about it at all - even speculate)

But from a point of view of wishful thinking, I can't see why the FPV Falcons couldn't be exported - they'd always be in limited numbers anyway, and there's NOTHING from Ford's US stable that comes even remotely close to competing with them - so I would think no issue there. But would the limited volume justify the expense of engineering them for the US market / LHD? Hence, this will remain the stuff of dreams...but we can dream can't we?

perhaps if I click my heels together and say three times "I want a new Falcon ute!" I just may get one. Crown Victorias are for the old geezers (older than me,im40) and its been in production in its current form since 1992.Yanks have had a curious fascination with pickups and SUV's for at least the past 10 years. To me,it doesn't make all that much sense. having a 4WD and not taking it off the pavement.they are big,bulky,and just a pain in the ass to see around. Compound that with the "soccer mom" chatting up a storm on her cell phone, the situation can get downright dangerous! I get cut off more often by women on cell phones than anyone else!Its becoming an epidemic! In the UK,one has to pull over to recieve a cell call. Not here in the States! I see these w*nkers all the time,dialling their cell phones,totally oblivious to traffic around them!

Falcon ute you say?

Try this on for size 5.4lt quad cam V8 - 290kw (~390hp), 520nm (384lb/ft) Torque, through a 6-speed manual to the rear wheels. Stopped by 355mm cross drilled and slotted rotors clamped by Brembo 6 piston calipers, weighing 1870kg , 19x8 inch alloys with 245/35 Z rated tyres, 6-disc cd player with 6 speakers, amp & sub all in a ute, that you can buy exactly like that from your Ford dealer for less than $AU 60,000 or less than ~ US$44,000.

Looks a bit like this:




Or perhaps a V8 isnt your thing? Tornado is a very similar spec wise, apart from a turbocharged 4lt I6, thats a shade torquier and quicker than the V8 mentioned above, and about AU$8,000 cheaper.

/\/\/\/\/\/\ and they now come with an optional 6 speed auto too.

I went into Ford Australia's site and was looking up the Falcon utes.If I were to purchase one, it would be my daily driver,and haul things around occaisionally. the base model Falcon ute with the red paint caught my eye, and in US currency would be priced pretty competitively at around $21,000 ,cheaper than a F150 and easier for me to climb in and out of....I need a knee replacement but the orthopedic surgeon keeps telling me I'm too young for it (I'm 40 )

They are pretty cheap to run if you buy the E-gas (LPG) version.

Do they have LPG in America?