Mondeo to Replace Falcon !

csv8 · 19-11-2009, 05:15 PM

From DRIVE 19/11/09

In contrast with the wagon, the Falcon sedan last month outsold its Commodore rival for the first time since 2006. But doubts remain about the long term future of the Falcon range, with the Mondeo looming as a likely long-term successor.

obione980 · 19-11-2009, 09:16 PM

It's bigger inside than the Falcon, smoother - and rides and drives better!!

Bring it ON!

Quasi · 19-11-2009, 09:42 PM

I'll be off to Holden or Chrysler for my next new car if that comes to fruition.

FERG_51 · 19-11-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obione980

It's bigger inside than the Falcon, smoother - and rides and drives better!!

Bring it ON!

Youve compared them have you.

xrford · 20-11-2009, 12:11 AM

are they serious? a mondeo with a family or group of mates going away towing a ski boat, moto trailer & bikes , caravan???..... F that! terrys are a good car but theyve got to keep things real we cant all drive them! And i cant see FWD being all that suitable for occasional towing either.

NZ XR6 · 20-11-2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrford

are they serious? a mondeo with a family or group of mates going away towing a ski boat, moto trailer & bikes , caravan???..... F that! terrys are a good car but theyve got to keep things real we cant all drive them! And i cant see FWD being all that suitable for occasional towing either.

The Mondeo diesel won "Tow car of the year" awards in the UK, so I think it would be fine for occasional towing.

I very much doubt that there will be another Falcon after the FG, unless Ford can get the sales much higher than they are now. So enjoy it while you can.

Zippy7 · 20-11-2009, 09:53 AM

XR5 wagon please...

Or an even less likely scenario - FPV Mondy wagon...

vztrt · 20-11-2009, 05:26 PM

Hmm, well lets have a look at this.

Mondeo isn't a huge seller (the medium car segment has been stagnant), and I dont see it getting bigger.
The FG isn't selling in huge units like it once was, but it is selling a lot more to private buyers which is more profitable, especially since the higher end models are selling more, while the XT is a low seller.
Ford manufacturing in broady plan to not have a down day till mid 2010, and I'm sure they would be looking at ramping up production is the demand is getting higher.
So I doubt it, but there hasn't been a dooms day Falcon article for a while.

But its pretty easy for me, I'll wait for the VE to change the interior and I'll jump in one of them, cause I know I wouldn't pay my hard earned for it.

mac_man_luke · 20-11-2009, 05:32 PM

Not a bad car but dont see FWD replacing RWD

Maybe if it was a turbo v6 awd

allanv6gt · 20-11-2009, 08:16 PM

Dream territory....XR5 wagon, 6spd manual
..even better, XR5 (or v6) turbo AWD wagon.
....for a family man that needs to carry more than 4 people and luggage (esp camping), and who still enjoys the driving experience.
I tried to start this thread a number of times, But Ford Oz don't seem to be listening.
Also, I believe supply is still a major issue holding back sales of Mondeo (see other post re scarcity of Titaniums).

**SSD-85** · 20-11-2009, 08:45 PM

if im not mistaken, falcon wagon sales are higher than total mondeo sales. It would be unwise to do this, anyone remember the Taurus?

csv8 · 21-11-2009, 06:53 PM

I would buy a Titanium wagon tomorrow if it was on sale here. BUT will never be on sale here

AlanD · 21-11-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

I would buy a Titanium wagon tomorrow if it was on sale here. BUT will never be on sale here

Bet money you couldn't!

After all tomorrow is Sunday

Cheers

IngoStang · 21-11-2009, 08:49 PM

Typical, Just bought my first Falcon ever after being a Holden Boy all my life (be gentle) Surely they couldnt scrap such an aussie icon

obione980 · 21-11-2009, 11:48 PM

The model T was iconic too. Every dog has its day - and all that.

I've had several Falcons over the years - they were good cars for their time; but their time is past - their technology superceded. They remain Ok vehicles, but there are better.

The ascendance of Japanese cars exemplifies changing tastes, and higher expectations.

csv8 · 22-11-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanD

Bet money you couldn't!

After all tomorrow is Sunday

Cheers

Its a saying !!! but monday would be the day !!!! check out the TITANIUM wagon on Fords UK site !! They also have a XR5 wagon as well !!!

naddis01 · 22-11-2009, 12:27 AM

An Xr5 wagon... Now you are talking.

AlanD · 22-11-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Its a saying !!! but monday would be the day !!!! check out the TITANIUM wagon on Fords UK site !! They also have a XR5 wagon as well !!!

Yes I comprehend it is a saying, as my response was tongue in cheek. But I've just discovered that some dealerships are active in Melbourne on Sundays, I need to get out more!! :O

And it is annoying that in Oz the range is so restricted. Our move into a Mondeo was mostly due to having a Mk3 diesel Gia Wagon in the UK for a week and got hooked on the economy (50 mpg = 5.6 l/100km!!) and with fuel costing one pound eighty per litre (read $3.25/litre) it really mattered.

And now we have one and we like it a lot

:

allanv6gt · 23-11-2009, 07:24 PM

Yes, UK has XR5-Equiv wagon. Bigger range driven by more sales and shorter supply lines, with less lost sales due to wider and speedier availability.
Dream on....

allanv6gt · 23-11-2009, 07:29 PM

Slightly OT, I spoke to a MA XR5 owner at Marques in the Park yesterday. He was rapt with the power AND economy (900Km h'way/tank) of the XR5. Would buy another one tomorrow. Not a Ford fan, prev. Honda Accord and Subaru Outback. Just a very satisfied customer. That type of response will win sales from other brands, and mean yet more sales......and (maybe) a wider range.
Serious competition for the Falcon range.

vztrt · 23-11-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allanv6gt

Slightly OT, I spoke to a MA XR5 owner at Marques in the Park yesterday. He was rapt with the power AND economy (900Km h'way/tank) of the XR5. Would buy another one tomorrow. Not a Ford fan, prev. Honda Accord and Subaru Outback. Just a very satisfied customer. That type of response will win sales from other brands, and mean yet more sales......and (maybe) a wider range.
Serious competition for the Falcon range.

Lets see it start to sell some serious units cause at the moment they're pretty poor.

DJL351 · 23-11-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obione980

It's bigger inside than the Falcon, smoother - and rides and drives better!!

Bring it ON!

Says you!

I can't fit in the Mondeo like I can a Falcon.

Bucknaked · 24-11-2009, 07:48 AM

My Mondeo feels similar in size as my AU and any B-Series or other Falcon I've been in. In every single Falcon I've driven, I always have to push the seat all the way back. In my Mondeo It doesn't need to go back as far. Maybe it is the location of the seat rails, but I feel I have more room in the Mondeo.

Cars are very similar in size. I downsized from a Falcon to a Focus. After a couple of weeks you learn to adapt.

RicOz · 24-11-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJL351

Says you! I can't fit in the Mondeo like I can a Falcon.

No offence, but if you can't fit into a Mondeo then you can't fit into any car. Mondeo interior is suprisingly big for what is a "medium sized" car. Maybe you need to change height setting?

LRsedan · 24-11-2009, 05:31 PM

Agreed with bucknaked.

We have a BA GT, a BA futura and a MA mondeo.

The mondeo has more room inside, and I don't have to put the seat all the way back in the mondeo.

And Im not a small guy either, 6' 7" and 100kgs.

prydey · 24-11-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obione980

The model T was iconic too. Every dog has its day - and all that.

I've had several Falcons over the years - they were good cars for their time; but their time is past - their technology superceded. They remain Ok vehicles, but there are better.

The ascendance of Japanese cars exemplifies changing tastes, and higher expectations.

please explain?

wusyc · 24-11-2009, 05:55 PM

I am wondering if it is the front footwell design. The Mondeo seems to have quite a bit of length in the front footwell.

RG · 24-11-2009, 06:11 PM

Not going to happen I don't think. Falcon sales have just tipped Commodore ones so all the pro Holden media outlets now have to dig up their old "FALCON DOOMED" articles.

Wasn't there a thread here not long ago saying Ford were looking at going for a GRWD platform and the Falcon base was the likely contender.

obione980 · 25-11-2009, 05:35 PM

Explanation for prydey: The Falcon retains an inefficient and thirsty 6 in line petrol engine - and generally outdated suspension design and 'chassis' dynamics.

The booming sales of Japanese cars - and Euro cars with improved safety features, efficient interior space usage, and more efficient engine designs (often with a diesel option) - indicate to me a shift in buyer expectations.

Government buyers and big business want cheap!! Cheap to buy, and cheap to run. Fleet sales have always been the steady staple source of demand for Commodore and Falcon. They've all but dried up.

prydey · 25-11-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obione980

Explanation for prydey: The Falcon retains an inefficient and thirsty 6 in line petrol engine - and generally outdated suspension design and 'chassis' dynamics.

The booming sales of Japanese cars - and Euro cars with improved safety features, efficient interior space usage, and more efficient engine designs (often with a diesel option) - indicate to me a shift in buyer expectations.

Government buyers and big business want cheap!! Cheap to buy, and cheap to run. Fleet sales have always been the steady staple source of demand for Commodore and Falcon. They've all but dried up.

inefficient and thirsty engine? for the size of the car, sub 10L/100km is hardly thirsty, considering much smaller and less powerful products from japan can't do much better.

it also has a 5 start ancap rating so its not exaclty less safe than these so called 'safer' euro cars as you put it.

suspension design? you've obviously driven one back to back with a euro product and had issues with the ride then??

for the job they are designed to do (carry up to 5 adults in comfort, drive long distances with ease, tow the family trailer on occasion etc etc) they do it extremely well. they are built to a budget and fall down in some areas (build quality, materials used) but this is improving. its very hard to compete with overseas manufacturing at the moment and you've probably noticed a lot of jobs going offshore.

the aussie auto industry needs to be supported but too many people like yourself have failed to appreciate the ground ford have made up over the recent years with their products.