Ford Australia boss Bob Graziano has diplomatically deferred confirmation that the company's iconic inline six will be re-engineered for new emission rules.
Questioned at today's AIMS opening, the Ford boss politely sidestepped questions about the company's emission engineering timeline.
"We meet the present requirements and now we have some clarity around [what] the new requirements are going to be — and we can assess what that means to us," he told the media in Melbourne at AIMS today.
Australia will adopt Euro 5 emissions levels in 2013. The engine currently satisfies Euro 4 but will require changes to meet the new regs.
The Ford president also steered clear of discussing the cost to redevelop the inline six for Euro 5 compliance.
"We've really just now begun to assess what that means and we now have clarity around that, which we very much appreciate," he said.
The Federal Government confirmed a little over two weeks ago that the new vehicle emissions standard would apply from November 2013. In a press release issued the same day, the FCAI (Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries) welcomed the announcement and offered complete backing.
"This is a balanced and realistic outcome, ensuring that Australian vehicle emissions will be aligned with leading international standards," FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar was quoted saying in the release.
"At the same time, the planned phase-in of these regulations recognises the practical impact on existing investments and the model development cycle."
By the FCAI's response the local manufacturing industry accepts the lead time is adequate to achieve the new emissions standard prior to the deadline arriving.
But the news is clearly being digested still, in Broadmeadows. Engineering the inline six for the new rules may be costly — and that cost may need to be balanced against the future revenue earned from keeping the engine alive.
The engine, built at Geelong's plant — and under threat of being axed in the past — powers both the indigenous Falcon and Territory models. It now shares duties with the 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel in the Territory and will be shortly joined by the EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine as a drivetrain option for the Falcon. Depending on how these alternative engines are received by the market will likely settle the question of continuing production of the petrol six at Geelong.
In the meantime, Graziano and Ford are keeping their cards close to his chest.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...