2
NEWS
Mustang for Australia?
But right-hand drive confirmation for Edge SUV could be the bigger news long termFord’s decision to build its next generation mid-sized Edge crossover in right-hand drive paves the way for it to be sold in Australia as a replacement for the locally-built Territory. That scenario would make sense if the blue oval shuts down its Australian manufacturing later this decade and moves to an import-only structure, or if it wangles a deal to build the car here.
The new Edge will go on-sale in the UK and Europe in 2014. It will launch about a year ahead of the next-gen Ford Mustang, which is also headed for Europe and the UK. The launch of the new Mustang will be timed to coincide with the iconic pony car’s 50th anniversary.
But while the Mustang would attract the headlines, it’s the Edge which is potentially the more significant vehicle for Australia. Currently Falcon sedan and ute and the Territory are spun off the locally-developed E8 large car architecture. But beyond 2016 there is currently no evidence of life for the E8 family, and no confirmation from Ford that it intends to keep building cars and engines in Australia. Diving sales for Falcon are hardly helping its cause either.
Much speculation has centred around the Taurus/Explorer combination taking over from Falcon/Territory, while ute demand would be sated by the new locally-developed (but not built) Ranger. But Mondeo/Edge could provide a more compact and fuel efficient alternative.
Speaking of fuel efficiency, the Mustang that is headed for Europe will reportedly only be powered by turbo-petrol four-cylinder or 3.7-litre V6 engines. No V8! Whether that would work in Australia remains to be seen. It seems unlikely the homologation work required for a RHD V8 Mustang would be affordable just for our market, even though the Falcon uses a version of the same engine.
Of course, we are in the realms of speculation here, none of which Ford Australia public affairs director Sinead Phipps had any interest in entertaining.
On Mustang: “Next-gen Mustang has been confirmed for Europe and there has been no commentary on any other potential markets.”
On Edge: “Territory remains our medium SUV until forever at this stage.”
The future of Falcon, Territory and local manufacturing beyond 2016: “As we have said before we have announced an upgrade for Falcon and Territory that is coming in 2014 that takes us out until at least the end of 2016 and what we do after that is what we are currently looking at now.”
The move of the US-developed Edge and Mustang into Europe was announced by Ford’s global boss Alan Mullaly at a media event in Amsterdam overnight. The new Mondeo was also shown and the Ecosport mini-SUV confirmed for Europe.
According to European media reports the next Edge will be based on either an update of the Mondeo platform or an all-new architecture. It should offer turbodiesel, turbo-petrol and V6 engine options. Sold primarily in North and South America, the current Edge is based on the same platform as the Mazda CX-9 and measures 4.7 metres long.
The new Mustang is expected to be based on a much-modified version of its current platform, allowing the shift from live axle to IRS. There has been some speculation that Mustang and a future Falcon could twin on the same platform going forward, but there’s no confirmation of that.
The original Mustang Hardtop was sold in Australia between 1965 and 1973 and the Liftback Mustang II between 1974 and 1978. FPV predecessor Tickford sold locally-converted RHD fourth generation Mustang coupes and convertibles here between 2001 and 2003.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Share this article
Written byBruce Newton
See all articlesOur team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todaySell your car with Instant Offer™
Like trade-in but price is regularly higher
1. Get a free Instant Offer™ online in minutes2. An official local dealer will inspect your car3. Finalise the details and get paid the next business day
Get a free Instant Offer
Looking for a family car?Get the latest advice and reviews on family car that's right for you.
Explore the Family Hub
Related articles
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Love every move.
Buy it. Sell it.Love it.
®Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Scan to download the carsales app
Want more info? Here’s our app landing page
App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo
are trademarks of Google LLC.