Ford US will back the Falcon

But Joe Hinrichs, the vice president of Ford Motor Company and its president for Asia Pacific and Africa, admits the Falcon -- which recorded dismal sales in 2011 -- “can do better’’.

Hinrichs won’t be drawn into discussing a possible replacement of Falcon with an imported, front-wheel drive sedan.

“Don’t underestimate the importance of Falcon and Territory to us,’’ he says at a Carsguide interview at the opening of the 2012 Delhi motor show where Ford unveiled a new Fiesta-based SUV.

Add CarsGuide as a preferred source in Google Search

Add CarsGuide as a preferred source in Google Search

While Hinrichs supports the Falcon and says “it’s a great car’’, he is acutely aware that a sub-20,000 sales figure may not be tolerated for long.

“At the moment, at our current investment in Falcon, we can sustain the sales of Falcon,’’ he says. “Not forever, however, but at this moment it is sustainable."

“It’s still an important part of our company. We have invested in Falcon and have the EcoBoost model coming, and we have substantially upgraded Territory.’’

Mr Hinrichs blames the fall in Falcon sales to issues including the shrinking large car segment “and our share of that getting smaller’’, and a need for it to “do better’’ with its fleet business.

“Overall, Ford sales (in Australia) have done well,’’ he says. “But Falcon sales have eroded these improvements. We have to shore up Falcon and Territory and grow the products. That will come via product such as the EcoSport (SUV).

“I think you’ll find a stabilisation of Falcon sales. We have the potential to see the end of the decline. Falcon sales can only continue to fall for so long.’’

But Mr Hinrichs admits that he “doesn’t know where the (large car) segment is going to go. People are looking for alternatives and I think that Territory has more potential to rebound than Falcon.’’