The Ford Falcon, like GM’s Holden Commodore, has experienced a surge in resale values since 2013, when Ford Motor Company announced that it would be shutting down both of its production facilities in Australia’s Victoria state.
Website CarsGuide reports that even base models of the Ford Falcon are experiencing stronger used resale values than in previous years, while the Ford Falcon XR8 and XR6 Turbo models are expected to retain even higher market values for the next five or so years.
Ford announced in May, 2013 its plans to shut down its plants in Geelong and Broadmeadows, citing high manufacturing costs and weak sales. The plants are due to close by October of next year. Ford has manufactured automobiles in Australia continuously since the Model T in 1925.
No replacement for the rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon has been announced, and the car has been a distinctly Australian product since the original, American Ford Falcon was phased-out in 1971.
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i don’t think Ford realizes or cares about the loyalty and enthusiasm of its Australian employees and owner/fans. Even in the States, Ford was once willing to drop the Mustang, until someone with sense somehow prevailed. Today, Ford offers insipid product offerings, except in Mustang and F Series pickups. Where’s the development of RWD cars? Even the new flagship Lincoln Continental probably hides (tries to, anyway) its humble FWD origins with AWD. It didn’t work with the Mondeo-based little Jaguar (i can’t even remember its name, it was such a yawner.) and it won’t here either. Maybe in China, where the big thing, (according to prevailing thought) is the amount of rear seat leg room. The new Ranger and expected Bronco do show much promise. But i’d be sad if Ford becomes something of a truck and Mustang company. Australia loves it’s ‘utes. America loves it’spickups and pony cars Yes, Ford takes risks there. Big risks. Embrace the difference. Viva la difference! Yes, One Ford or whatever its called these days, does have a catchy name, and does have cost savings and economies of scale. Boring!! but at the expense of factory investment and product differentiation, is it really worth it? Car buyers don’t buy corporate cost savings, as far as i know .The car business isn’t really about crunching numbers to make every possible penny, is it guys? It’s about the CARS, and the PASSION. Whatever happened to passion? Without it you’d be better off going into banking. The Model T days are over, guys. No more universal car, however close you think you’re getting. At some point, it becomes meaningless and counterproductive. Even McDonald’s tailors its restaurants based on their locale. Putting a steering wheel on the other side doesn’t cut it, or do justice to a unique market like Australia. There was a time when people would insist on a Ford or a Chevy or whatever. The name meant something. Today, cars are looking more and more the same, the only difference being the little logo slapped on the grille. The Mustang remains a unique vehicle, differentiated by heritage and design. The Falcon has heritage too, perhaps not like the Mustang, but it does have a very loyal and rabid fan base which should be encouraged and cherished, not blasted to hell. Yes Ford, customers still drive the business, and design and engineering matter. Don’t take the lazy way out by abandoning development, shuttering factories, laying off hard-working people, and cutting off loyal fans. Channel your inner Henry Ford, guys, it must be somewhere, way,way down deep. Rant over, i’m waiting for a Shelby convertible.