Future of Territory is secure

A production plan for the first major remake of Australia's only homegrown SUV is now locked in place ahead of a changeover early in 2009.

It comes as Ford continues to downsize its workforce, not just on the production line that produces the Territory and Falcon but also in white-collar jobs at both Broadmeadows and its manufacturing base at Geelong.

The Territory plan shows an ongoing commitment to the car, even if it is not yet included in the V6 engine changeover set for the Falcon in 2010.

The makeover is not a big spend or a major alteration, but will give Ford's local wagon a worthwhile freshen-up and some added showroom impact. Ford is not quite ready to go public on the Territory update, although the company confirms something is happening.

“We have forward model plans for Territory,” admits Ford Australia's spokesperson, Sinead McAlary.

“Basically, we are continuing to move forward with Territory.

But we are not sharing any details at this time.”

The changeover of the Territory is expected towards the end of the first quarter of next year, probably in late March.

The timing points to a preview of the updated Territory at the Melbourne motor show, with the first vehicles likely to come down the line at Broadmeadows some time in February. The changes to the Territory will be extensive, from sheetmetal to the interior.

But there is no news yet on a dedicated LPG model. Insiders point to a more edgy look to the body, which will pick up some of the Ford styling direction already incorporated in the FG Falcon. It could easily pass for an upsized Kuga, the European compact all-wheel-drive wagon based on the Focus.

But the work will be concentrated on the front end, with nothing major planned for the tail. The dashboard from the new Falcon, or at least elements from it, is expected to be transplanted into the Territory.