Ford Falcon not dead

Ford put the 2014 Falcon up in lights at a preview for the Australian International Motor Show this morning.

The car manufacturer took the drastic action in an attempt to curb speculation about the future of the Broadmeadows-built sedan and its broader plans for local production Ford has had seven straight years of sales decline and Falcon deliveries are at historical lows, but the company is hoping the new model will give it the bounce it needs.

Even recent four-cylinder versions of the Falcon haven’t ignited sales. So far, Ford has only committed to local assembly until the end of 2016. But anyone hoping for a glimpse of the new model was disappointed.

Among the stage smoke, lights and fanfare, the company flashed a dark image of the bonnet – and “2014 Falcon” in bold type. “You’re just going to have to wait until 2014, we just wanted to tease a little bit,” says Ford Australia boss Bob Graziano.

Meanwhile Holden repeated its commitment to continue manufacturing in Elizabeth South Australia until the end of 2022 – but refused to speculate on what it might build alongside the Cruze small car after the Commodore comes to the end of its lifecycle in 2017 Holden has said it will build a new generation of the Cruze small car and an as-yet unnamed second model, thought to be an SUV or mid-size sedan.

“We have made our decision, I’m just not telling you what it is,” Holden boss Mike Devereux told media at the Sydney Motor Show. Holden says it is about to begin working on the first of its two new models, ready for a 2016 or 2017 rollout. “In two months we’ve got to start ground works in our plant in Adelaide to get ready for bodyshop stuff,” he said.