Ford Everest is brand's future

This is the future for Ford in Australia. It's not called a Falcon, and it doesn't look like a Falcon, but the Everest is the Ford family car for the future.

The seven-seater SUV was designed, engineered and developed in Australia and the only thing missing from the Everest plan is production at Broadmeadows. Instead, it will come from Thailand in 2015. It gets its world debut in Sydney this week as proof that Ford is still committed to Australia and the 1000-strong development team at its Melbourne headquarters.

"The customers here clearly want SUVs. It's just a continuation of building that portfolio," the president of Ford Australia, Bob Graziano, tells Carsguide on Tuesday at his company's giant Go Further showcase.

Graziano stops short of calling Everest the new Falcon, but only because the majority of that job is likely to be handed to the mid-sized Mondeo with four new SUVs - including one still on the top-secret list - to do the other jobs that have been traditionally handled by the Falcon.

Billed as a 'Vision for the Future', the key to the $4 million event is the unveiling of a range of future products that are promised to add 11 new models to the local lineup in Ford showrooms over the next five years. The Everest breaks cover at Go Further, on the same movie set used to film blockbusters including Wolverine and Moulin Rouge.

Ford also makes the official confirmation of a right-hand drive Mustang for Australia and previews other debutants including the mid-sized Mondeo, punchy Fiesta ST and new Transit workhorses. For a bit of fun, there is a barely street-legal Formula Ford that's fresh from hot laps at the Nurburgring.

But Ford refuses to talk about its plans for Ford Performance Vehicles or V8 engines, although it says Falcon sales will continue through the update next year to the end of local production in 2016 despite another disastrous slump since the announcement of the Broadmeadows shutdown. "That's the plan," Ford's global boss, Alan Mulally, tells Carsguide.

The showroom preview at Go Further is a clear attempt by Ford to head off any buyer strike, as well as keeping its dealers and fans focussed on a future beyond Falcon and Territory. "Why are we doing this? Firstly to demonstrate Ford's commitment to Australia. Secondly, to share our vision for growth," says Graziano. "For us, the future starts today."

The product preview begins with the Fiesta, including confirmation of the turbocharged ST and an EcoBoost engine - just 1.0-litres and three cylinders - that matches the performance of a convention 1.6. By 2017 there will be EcoBoost engines in 70 per cent of Ford models, including the F-Series truck that's already a sales winner with a downsized V6.

The Mondeo hatch and sports wagon are next into the spotlight, although they won't arrive in Australia before 2015 as the company switches production to a factory in Valencia, Spain. Apart from their swish styling, the big product promise is airbag-style inflatable rear seatbelts and a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine.

Then comes confirmation of the Mustang, although there is no car because the all-new model with right-hand drive is not being revealed until 2014. "The Mustang is coming. With right-hand drive. We'll share many more details with you in the months ahead," is the only comment.

Then comes a preview of the Transit van, in two body sizes, before global COO Mark Fields shifts into the SUV scene, starting with the existing Territory and Kuga before adding the baby EcoBoost and the giant Everest, as well as hinting about anothe secret newcomer.

"Nothing sums up the Australian way of life and spirit like an SUV," says Fields. He says the compact EcoBoost, which is coming from India, is the right size for urban use and then turns to Concept Everest.

It's part of the T6 development program that has already produced the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50 twins, rated by Carsguide as best in their class. There are substantial changes to the running gear, which is hidden after the brief spotlight appearance, and it's said to be much more refined than the pickup.

The only changes likely for the production Everest are minor tweaks to things like the wheels. "40,000 Australians prefer large off-road SUVs and we think they might enjoy this. It's designed right here in Australia by Australians for Australians, and the world," says Mark Fields.

FORD'S FUTURE

Fiesta ST - hot hatch - December 2013
Mondeo hatch and wagon - mid-sized - early 2015
Mustang - muscle car - mid 2015
EcoBoost - baby SUV - December 2013
Everest - large SUV - late 2015
Secret SUV - mid-sized - late 2015

This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover