Falcon flies north for the winter

Prominent American auto sites are again abuzz with rumours that Ford is looking to Australia for its rear-wheel-drive future after the release of a spy photo featuring the next Ford Falcon.

The photo of a car being unloaded from a shipping container in Dearborn, Michigan, supposedly shows a pre-production example of the next generation Falcon, which is code-named 'Orion'. Dearborn is the location for Ford's global head office, so something's afoot.

Ford's own press statement, released early May, suggests Dearborn is looking at its outfit Down Under as a resource for future 'global' product development, taking the lead from rival GM and its investment in Holden.

"As we work to build Ford Motor Company's global competitiveness, it is critical that we continue to invest and grow our capabilities in the Asia Pacific region," said Mr Bill Ford, Ford Motor Company Chairman and CEO.

"The engineering experience and capability we have in Australia is a strategic advantage for Ford and it is important that we use this great resource not just to benefit Australian customers, but to benefit customers in markets around the world," said Ford. "The skills and technologies available in the Australian marketplace are some of the best in our global organisation."

Disguised in just 'bra and panties', the car was photographed from a 7/8 left rear view as it was unloaded from a shipping container. The view clearly shows a deep, rising sculpture line in the lower door skins and a full-length sculpture line above the door handles. Alloy wheels are large diameter jobs finished in chrome.

Although the roofline is not far removed from that of the current AU/BA platform, it doesn't have panel gaps for the doors, which do not appear to be stamped from one piece any more. Door handles are slightly raised, in the style of some European marques such as Renault and Volkswagen.

It's not the first time an Aussie Falcon has made it to the States, but this time around there's a lot of speculation that Falcon will be built in LHD form and exported to the USA.

With nothing else in the Ford world that is rear-wheel drive or as large, cost-effective and production-ready as the Falcon, Ford is stumped for anything else to combat the upcoming Pontiac G8 -- a Holden Commodore SS-V -- due for release in the third quarter of this year.

Ford may also see the Falcon as an opportunity to take sales away from the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger.

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