1998 Ford Econovan Reviews

In 1977, something remarkable, and even almost unthinkable just a few years earlier, happened.For the first time in decades, a Holden was no longer Australia’s best-selling car for a full calendar year.The HX Belmont/Kingswood/Premier trio was beaten by Ford’s XC Falcon/Fairmont duo, pipped to the post by just 572 units. 53,934 versus 54,506.Released exactly 50 years ago, we take a look at why the car that finally dethroned a Holden changed the face of Australian motoring forever.Developed in the USA to take on the hyper-successful VW Beetle, the original Falcon launched in Australia in 1960, purely to reel the Holden in.Back then, one-in-two vehicles sold in Australia were by General Motors-Holden’s (GMH), and it was making a ton of money for its American parent. Such obscene profits were too much for Ford to ignore.Yet it took 11 versions, over 17 years, for the Falcon to finally achieve its mission.Yes, Ford first climbed to the top for one month only with the then-new XB Falcon in December, 1973, but 1977 was the year of the XC.Here’s the irony. The XC Falcon was drab, lacking the Mustang-look edge of its handsome XB predecessor, which later found international fame as the basis for the original Mad Max movie car.Laughably tiny round headlights didn’t help. And its interior was plain jane boring, replacing the previous, cool ‘waterfall’ fascia that wrapped around the driver years before BMW thought of doing it.The XC also killed off the legendary Falcon GT.Yet Australians still loved it. Go figure. (Hint: the HX was terrible).By any objective standard, but especially global ones, even back in the day, the Australian family cars that are so loved and collectable today were far from great in the 1970s.Based on the same American principles and formula that created what we now dub The Malaise Era, the contemporary Kingswood, Falcon and Chrysler Valiant were oversized yet cramped due to bad packaging, alarmingly thirsty yet comparatively slow (not Valiant) given their large engine capacities, tricky to drive in the wet and on gravel, rust prone, poorly equipped, low on braking ability and inconsistently built.In contrast, a Peugeot 504, VW Passat, Rover P6 or Mercedes-Benz compact were streets ahead for comfort, safety, efficiency, driving pleasure and quality, if not outright performance. Embarrassingly so.With all this in mind, historians reckon the HX was Holden’s worst model to date.The introduction of stricter emissions standards, known as Australian Design Rule 27A (ADR27A) would make the poorer Australian cars even worse.Just as Ford had done, Holden also launched the barely facelifted HX range in July, 1976, sporting a different grille, new instrumentation… and that’s largely it.But the big barge also drove rougher, used more petrol and performed worse than the preceding HJ that was hardly a media darling itself.The critics very publicly savaged the HX and consumers increasingly wary.In contrast, the corresponding XC Falcon boasted big changes to its engines for ADR27A, resulting in output and economy improvement claims of 10 per cent or more.Neither brand’s powertrains could touch the Valiant’s awesomely strong Hemi engines, just to be clear here. However, the Falcon’s were miles better than Holden’s.Note that tighter steering and better-tuned suspension did make the XC the best to drive, whilst that (albeit dubious) dash redesign, expensive exterior sheetmetal restyles and a new nose job also helped make the Ford seem fresher.You know how the XC dropped the GT? Ford replaced it with the Fairmont GXL, and marketed it as a European-style grand touring driver’s car, complete with rarities for the era such as a limited-slip diff, four-wheel disc brakes, alloy wheels and sports suspension.Buyers and critics alike lapped it up. Fairmont’s big rectangular headlights helped a lot too.Largely unrealised at the time, the GXL also softened Australians to the idea of a less-American Falcon.The 1979 XD successor was not far away and, for the first time in the series' history, it adopted visual cues from Ford of Europe's Granada range, rather than from Detroit.The HX’s poor showing, combined with the XC’s more-favourable reviews, must have lit a fire under GMH, because the HZ that replaced it just 15 months later in October, 1977, brought much-improved handling, smoother engines and scores of minor upgrades.More importantly, it ousted Falcon from the top spot the following year.The Opel-derived VB Commodore arrived late in 1978 and the Falcon would not top the annual sales charts again until 1982 – though it then stayed at number one until 1989.Falcon wasn’t even the company’s first roll of the dice.Ford spent a small fortune during the 1950s trying with the UK Zephyr series (fun fact: the first production car with MacPherson strut front suspension), but, though good, it was too expensive against the Holden.Something cheaper and more basic was needed, and Detroit was planning just such a car. In 1958, two Ford Australia execs sighted a Falcon prototype in Michigan and declared: ‘We’ll have some of that, cheers!’, or some such.At the same time, Chrysler, too, invested heavily in Australia, restyling a discarded US Plymouth as the Royal from 1957 to 1963, but sales were sluggish.Its 1962 Valiant successor did far better initially, but The Malaise set in by 1971’s VH series and sales nosedived, forcing Chrysler to exit Australia entirely by the end of that decade.Meanwhile, the British Motor Corporation (BMC) had tried and failed with various Morris and Austin models from the late 1950s, including the Major and Elite respectively, the advanced 1800 of 1966 and its short-lived X6 Tasman/Kimberly replacement from 1970.Long forgotten today, the latter was then succeeded by the also-Australia-only Leyland P76 in 1973. An ambitious task, it mimicked American sedans with big size and power, but struggled to sell despite being more progressive than the Holden/Falcon/Valiant triumvirate.Hundreds of millions in today’s money were collectively sunk by each of the above brands, to no avail, leading to factory closures and job losses.Ostensibly, the XC Falcon won 1977 because it was superior to the HX. But GMH’s biggest enemy lay within.Following the 48-215 hitting the top spot in 1950, Holden become overall market leader three years later.Australians loved “Australia’s Own” car. That this car was owned by one of history’s biggest corporations, yet was heavily bankrolled by Federal and State governments, didn’t matter. Nor did the fact the massive profits generated went to America.By 1960 GMH enjoyed 50 per cent market share. Hubris had set in, as the local operation became infamously rich, complacent, ignorant and combative.But increased competition was just around the corner, especially from Japan. And, after spectacular year-on-year growth since 1948, Holden stumbled with the ungainly HD of 1965. Market share fell to 40 per cent in 1968, 30 per cent by 1973 and 25 per cent in 1976.Perfect conditions for the Falcon to swoop in.Happy 50 birthday, XC Falcon.

Ford has officially named its new mid-size electric ute ahead of an imminent reveal.Dubbed the Ford Fathom, the US carmaker claims the name is purposely meant to stand out from the crowd and it aligns with the type of buyer it’s targeting with this vehicle.The name is a big step away from Ranchero, which was pegged for a revival in previous reports. Ford claims it did explore this name, but it did not fit the new electric ute.Pre-orders for the Fathom are set to open in the US in early 2027 and at this stage it’s unclear if right-hand drive production is on the cards, but there is a strong hint it will come Down Under.The Ford Fathom is the first vehicle to be built on the US carmaker’s new Universal EV platform. It’s a modular architecture and a series of new vehicles will be based on it.Ford has confirmed the Fathom will have a starting price of US$28,350 (~A$40,330), before on-road costs, with the standard-range battery in the US. This confirms Ford is planning to offer multiple battery configurations.The Fathom’s starting price is also virtually identical to the Maverick hybrid ute in the US.The US carmaker has also confirmed all versions of the Fathom will come with the following:Five seatsVehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilityCargo bedFrunkLarge central touchscreenApple Maps integrationApple CarPlay and Android AutoBlueCruise semi-autonomous driving capabilityAt this stage Ford hasn’t officially revealed the exterior or interior design of the Fathom, but a number of camouflaged prototypes have been captured.It showed the Fathom is notably smaller than the Ranger and more on par with the Maverick for size.There’s a boxy silhouette with slab sides and a stubby glasshouse area.No official details regarding the tub dimensions, payload, towing capacity, battery capacities, range, power or torque have been confirmed yet.At this stage Ford hasn’t confirmed whether the Fathom will be produced in right-hand drive.The US carmaker has previously confirmed however that its Universal EV platform is capable of right-hand drive.Ford has reserved the Fathom name in Australia to use on "motor vehicles, namely, gasoline and electric automobiles, pick-up trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles and their structural parts", according to the trademark filing. This sounds like the just confirmed Fathom and leaves the door open to an arrival in the future.As it currently stands Ford doesn’t offer any electric ute in Australia. The now-defunct F-150 Lightning was never officially offered through local Ford dealers, though some were imported and remanufactured to right-hand drive by third parties.The Ranger is by far Ford’s best-selling vehicle in Australia and it has been the best-seller Down Under overall for three consecutive years. It is now offered in a sprawling number of versions, including the Super Duty and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), but no fully electric offering is available.If the Ford Fathom does come to Australia it will form as a rival to the KGM Musso EV, which is also built on a monocoque platform, rather than a tougher body-on-frame architecture, like the Ranger.

Australians are still buying cars in greater quantity than ever before, despite tough economic conditions.The new vehicle market recorded its strongest ever July result off the back of the same feat in June. Toyota has had a resurgent month up against its Chinese challengers BYD and Chery, led by its new-generation RAV4 SUV. Electric car sales are also showing no signs of slowing down in Australia, accounting for more than one-in-five cars sold. Chinese brands are becoming a staple high up the sales charts in Australia, with many budget-focused models continuing to drive sales. Toyota achieved 20,409 registrations for July, more than double what BYD managed.The Japanese juggernaut has taken out the top-two spots for July with its RAV4 family SUV and HiLux ute.The RAV4 has shot up the sale charts to take out pole position, with 5564 units, wrestling back against early supply issues plaguing the new version of the hugely popular family model. Plug-in hybrid variants of the RAV4 have received some serious attention from buyers, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the SUV's total sales.Toyota's HiLux ute was not far behind, boasting 4721 units and overtaking the Ford Ranger (4042) in July. The brand also experienced its best month in 2026 for its Land Cruiser Prado and 300 Series 4WDs.Fully-electric cars represented more than one-fifth of all sales in July, with rising fuel prices continuing to influence buyer choices.The Tesla Model Y registered another month as the best-selling EV in Australia, with 4644 units in July between its five- (2215) and six-seater (2429) variants according to EV Council data. BYD’s Sealion 7 mid-size SUV was another strong performer, with 2548 examples sold last month, keeping its tag as the brand’s best-selling model for another month.The Geely EX5 (2034) made another appearance in the top 10 best sellers, followed by the Zeekr 7X (1892). The Chery Tiggo 4 (2156) small SUV has continued its run as one of the best-selling small SUVs, holding off competition from the Hyundai Kona (2096) and Mazda CX-5 (1836).BYD held onto second position in the overall sales standings for July (7857), despite a noticeable drop-off from June. In addition to the Sealion 7, its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute registered another confident registration figure, with 1216 units, along with the Atto 2 small SUV (1214).Chery, Geely, GWM and MG all made the top 10 best-selling brands for the month.

Since the day the first Ram Truck arrived in Australia it feels like there has been a growing chorus of people looking to get US-style pickups (or utes, as we call them) banned.Some have argued they are simply too big for Australian roads, but the primary reason for this has been safety.ANCAP in particular has taken an interest in US utes, creating a specific testing program to assess the merits of the Active Driver Safety Assistance (ADAS) systems of the likes of the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra and Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series.The concern from ANCAP and other anti-American ute campaigners is that these bigger vehicles create a more dangerous environment for pedestrians and cyclists. But I find this argument a bit strange and, frankly, the entire movement against these types of vehicles potentially opens up the question of mandating what people can and can’t drive - which is very problematic in my personal opinion.Now, don’t get me wrong, I would not like a Tundra to crash into me crossing the street. But I also wouldn’t want a Toyota Yaris to run over me either. I’m sure the Tundra might do a bit more damage, but I feel like any impact between car and pedestrian is going to leave the pedestrian worse off.But the last time I checked our roads were filled with light trucks, like the Fuso Canter, Iveco Daily and Hino 300 Series as well as the odd heavy truck and the occasional bus (sarcasm intended). Obviously there is a difference between a bus and a pickup truck in terms of its role within society, but simply saying one is a danger to our roads while ignoring the other is disingenuous, at best.Why is it ok for someone to drive a Canter for their delivery business but not drive an F-150 for a weekend away camping when they have to tow a large caravan. Or why are we ok with someone driving a Hino in the city but not a Tundra pulling a horse float.To be fully transparent, I don’t really like these types of utes. I don’t think they make a lot of sense if you live in a major city. My brother used to live in Oklahoma and every driveway had some sort of Tundra/Silverado/1500/F-150 and they made perfect sense there. The roads are nice and wide and every shop has US-sized parking lots, and very few are multi-storey parking either.I am the definition of a ‘city-slicker’, I've spent my entire life in the city and suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne, and I have no caravan, horse float or similar that requires towing, so the idea of trying to live with such a big ute makes no sense to me.When I have tested these utes, even living with them for a week is challenging, because they simply do not fit everywhere. I find myself googling the maximum height of every car park I plan on visiting - and they don’t always fit.But while they aren’t for me, I find the very idea of banning or even campaigning against a car because it doesn’t suit your personal lifestyle a dangerous path to tread. Obviously the government needs to dictate certain safety requirements, but I don’t think many of us want the government saying what size of car we are allowed to drive.Because by that logic, and the argument that US utes are more dangerous than Australian-sized ones, then SUVs should be a major focus of safety groups. The modern SUV is designed for urban use, not going off-road like the original concept. A Toyota Yaris does the exact same job as a Yaris Cross but is taller and therefore, arguably, not as safe for pedestrians. Something like a BMW X5 is obviously taller and has a bigger frontal area than a 5-Series sedan. So why aren’t we banning urban-focused SUVs?Because nobody wants to be told what they can and can’t drive, it leads us down a slippery slope of government over-regulation and ultimately denies us choice depending on our lifestyle and needs.So before you throw stones at a US-sized ute, take a look at what’s in your driveway…

Sharply-priced deals can be the best way for buyers to get into a new car in Australia. Car sales are surging, with June 2026 an all-time monthly Australian record. Brands continue to put enticing deals on the table, even for their most popular models.From SUVs to utes and hybrid to electric, there are plenty of cars on offer at a cut price. Here are some of the best ones we’ve found. Ford is currently offering $3000 off and five free general services on select Ranger ute and Everest SUV models until the 30th of September. The 2.0-litre diesel Ranger XLT 2WD top-spec dual-cab model is now available from $49,990, before on-road costs. The V6-powered Wildtrak grade of the 4WD dual-cab pick-up is available from $72,090.The 4WD XLS and XLT cab-chassis grades start from $55,450 and $63,590, respectively, as part of the offer. Two grades of the V6 Everest SUV are also eligible for the $3000 discount, with the Sport starting from $73,990, while the Tremor starts from $76,990. These deals are only available on the Blue Oval’s MY26.5 stock.Peugeot is offering some serious discounts on its hybrid SUVs as it parts ways with its local distributor Inchcape. The 2008 compact SUV is available on a drive-away offer of $39,990, with it previously on sale from $42,990, before on-road costs. The mid-sized 3008 starts from $48,990, drive-away, down from $52,990 (before on-road costs). Peugeot’s 5008 large SUV has a drive-away price of $48,990, contrasting its $52,990, before on-road costs, price tag. Leapmotor has put a series of sharp deals on the table for its electrified SUV range until September 30. The mid-sizer C10 range-extender hybrid has a $42,990 drive-away offer, with a $3000 cash-back offer reducing that price to $38,990. The car normally retails from $43,888, before on-road costs. EV versions of the C10 are also available on a drive-away deal of $47,990, with an additional $3000 cash back decreasing the price to $44,990. This is a sizeable discount on the $45,888 before on-road costs starting price. The smaller B10 EV is available from $38,990, drive-away, down from $43,888 (before on-road costs).BYD continues to add competitive deals across its line-up in Australia. Shark 6 cab-chassis and Premium examples are available with a $2500 cash-back until July 31. This reduces before on-road costs pricing on the cab-chassis price to $52,500, and $60,500 on the Premium. The cash-back offer extends to its Sealion 5, Sealion 6 and Sealion 7 SUV range, with the Atto 3 electric SUV eligible for a $2000 cash back. Chery similarly has $2000 cash-back offers on most of its range including the Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 SUVs. This deal is only available until 31 August on cars built in 2025.Nissan has slashed the price of its Navara ute range until August 31. There are heavy discounts on lower grade Navara units, with the base car available from $49,990 (drive-away), down from $53,348, before on-road costs. The range-topping Navara Pro-4X ute is just $63,990, drive-away, compared to its original $68,418, before on-road costs pricing. Existing Nissan customers are also eligible for a $2000 loyalty bonus. 

The Aussie ute market may have expanded dramatically in terms of choice but has a proliferation of new options upset the established order when it comes to sales?In recent years the Ford Ranger has been the top-selling ute in the country with the Toyota HiLux snapping at its heels and the Isuzu D-Max there or there-abouts.In late 2024 the BYD Shark 6 arrived to mix things up with its petrol-electric hybrid powertrain challenging the traditional dominance of turbo-diesel propulsion.And a few months later, after a high-profile pre-launch teaser campaign, the Kia Tasman hit local showrooms with the aim of muscling past top order players like the Mitsubishi Triton, GWM Cannon, Mazda BT-50 and Nissan Navara.Since then, we’ve seen newcomers like the MG U9, the all-new Foton Tunland and LDV Terron 9. And soon enough they’ll be joined by the Chery Stockman, JAC Hunter and a likely dual-cab from Hyundai.But has the category’s expansion fundamentally changed anything?There are now a staggering 25 ute options in the local new car market, including two- and four-wheel drive models as well as large, US-style pick-ups.And at the half way mark in 2026 the usual suspects remain at the top of the leader board.No big surprise that the podium contenders have shed some volume but the Ford Ranger is still out-selling the BYD Shark 6 by a ratio of three to one. There have been explosive year-on-year gains recorded by selected newcomers, but that’s been from modest starting bases. However, several evergreen models lower down the list have taken a sizable backwards turn, including the Nissan Navara (-46.5 per cent), Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series (-65.5 per cent), JAC T9 (-51.8 per cent) and Jeep Gladiator (-56.3 per cent).In total, year-on-year sales to June 30 this year for 4x2 utes are flat, 4x4s are down just over 11 per cent and the big pick-ups haven’t budged a millimetre.Here’s our rundown of utes sales, using industry statistician VFacts data to combine all ute categories into a single readout comparing H1 2026 to the same period last year.Light commercial, pick-up & cab chassis sales ranking (June 2026 YTD)   

Buyers still love 4WDs in Australia. It remains a big-selling segment, but some of its biggest hitters are suffering losses.China is starting to get a foothold in the market with budget offerings posing a serious threat to established regulars.Emissions-heavy vehicles such as 4WDs are also coming under fire from increasingly stringent rules in Australia.Here is the rundown of the best-selling 4WDs up to June 2026. The Ford Everest large SUV is up front with more than 11,000 sales in 2026 so far, despite a near 10 per cent year-on-year drop. It is based on the Ford Ranger, which is the best-selling ute in Australia.The Toyota Prado takes second place with more than 9000 sales so far this year, but it has experienced an even sharper drop of nearly 42 per cent year-on-year.The Prado is a scaled down version of the LandCruiser 300 Series, using a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, as opposed to the more powerful V6. Isuzu’s MU-X is third, making 7564 sales up to June, but it too experienced a more minor slump of 3.2 per cent. The LandCruiser 300 Series is currently fourth on the standings, and is the only car in the top five to have experienced a substantial growth in sales. Its 6451 sales constitutes a 26.3 per cent rise compared to first six months of 2025.Toyota also released a performance petrol hybrid V6 variant earlier this year.The Suzuki Jimny rounds out the top five as a much smaller and cheaper competitor to those above it. Priced from $31,990, before on-road costs, the Jimny is down 11.1 per cent compared to this time last year, while still amassing 3882 sales. The Nissan Patrol is down nearly 25 per cent compared to its sales result up to June 2025, with 2843 sales so far in 2026. The current Y62 petrol V8 Patrol will cease production next month, and order books for a new twin-turbo V6 will open later. GWM’s Tank 300 mid-size SUV off-roader has continued to surge up the sales charts in 2026, with 2759 sales so far.The Tank 300 is available in petrol, diesel, plug-less hybrid and plug-in hybrid set-ups - more varied than any of its competitors. BYD’s Denza sub-brand is another Chinese rival experiencing a solid sales return in Australia.Its B5 plug-in hybrid SUV has already accumulated 1445 sales this year, having only gone on sale in December 2025.Its bigger sibling the B8 is also approaching the 1000-unit mark midway through this year. The ultra-luxury GMC Yukon Denali from the United States is starting to pick up momentum in Australia. The V8-powered eight-seater Yukon Denali went on sale in the middle of last year, but 2026 has seen sales explode by nearly 190 per cent. It remains a low-volume model with only 202 sales, as it carries a $174,990 price tag. The 4WD segment is about undergo some serious changes in the next few months, including an influx of new models.The Mitsubishi Pajero will return to Australia, along with several new Chinese competitors likely to join it over the next 18 months.The anticipated Geely Galaxy Cruiser is slated for a UK launch, meaning Australia could its next step, while the GAC Yue 7 also seems to be on the way. 

We all secretly knew it, but now it's official: Ute and four-wheel-drive owners rarely use their vehicles as intended.Utes and rough-and-tumble 4WDs are some of the best-selling vehicles in the country, and if you have ever spent any time on the road you'll see it is dominated by Ford Rangers, Toyota HiLuxes and Pradoes and a range of newer vehicles such as the BYD Shark 6, GWM Tank 300 and Denza B5.Now new data from Continental tyres shows most high-riding and rough-road-ready vehicles rarely make it out of the suburbs.The survey polled 2000 Australian ute and 4WD owners across the country aged 18-years-old and above.Only 18 per cent of those surveyed said they had used their vehicle’s off-road capabilities frequently, while 22 per cent said they never went 4WDing.A further 21 per cent said they had gone off-road once or twice, and shockingly two per cent said they weren’t even aware of their car’s off-road ability.Of the drivers surveyed, 33 per cent said they take their vehicle off-road every few months, while 22 per cent said they never take their ute or 4WD off-roading. Twenty one per cent said once a year and only six per cent said every weekend,Surprisingly only 22 per cent of respondents said they bought their ute or 4WD for its off-road ability, with towing capacity (21 per cent) and space for the family (20 per cent) also the main reasons for the purchase.But if people aren't going off-road regularly, what are they using them for?The most common use of the vehicle was for grocery runs, with 57 per cent of those polled stating they do that on a weekly basis.This was followed by commuting to work (52 per cent) and weekend getaways (41 per cent).Only 20 per cent said they used the vehicle for camping or off-roading weekly.And the most common off-roading use in suburban areas was to tackle gravel or dirt carparks followed by grassed areas at local parks or sports fields.And the biggest challenge for utes and 4WDs? That’s parking in tight carparks and driving in poor weather conditions, followed by hitting a pothole.

Just like the dreaded difficult second-album syndrome that can inflict music artists after a smash debut, sometimes carmakers really struggle to replace a successful and/or acclaimed model with something equally so.Arguably history’s first was when the original car to put the world on wheels, the Ford Model T from 1908, was replaced by the Model A. While infinitely better, it also had infinitely more competition in 1927, and so couldn’t hope to replicate the T’s legacy.Here, then, are five of the most infamous in Australian motoring history.Built on a shortened version of the then-new Liberty platform, the original Impreza range barely made a ripple – until the WRX (World Rally Cross) turbo AWD arrived in 1993, redefining small-car performance, dominating rallying for years, and becoming a Sony Playstation superstar along the way. The Subaru came to define the era.But when the hotly anticipated 2000 redesign, leaked online with its buggy round headlights and bulkier proportions, howling disapproval ensued – as did one of the first trials by internet – forcing an unscheduled and embarrassing major facelift within two years.Controversial statement time: the Bugeye is the G2 Impreza to buy, not the Blob-eye or Hawk-eye that followed (and reeked of desperation).Nissan’s Datsun 510 Bluebird – or 1600 as it was known in Australia – was an elegantly minimalist mid-sized sedan from Japan with engine and suspension design engineered by the Prince Motor Company of Skyline fame and inspired by the 1966 BMW 1602/2002 that preceded the original 3 Series.At the time, Japanese cars were still largely dynamically deficient, but the Datsun broke through with buyers and critics alike, while also enjoying enduring motorsport success. This was Nissan’s golden era, with the CSP311 Silvia, B10 Sunny/1000 and Fairlady 240Z highly prized today.However, the 1600’s 180B successor traded all that in for a fussy, dreary and ponderous bore that sold strongly but failed to inspire. Datsun even tried to resurrect the spirit of the 1600 with the similarly styled but dynamically dreadful Stanza of 1978. This was Nissan’s first ‘malaise era’.Dishonourable mention: Datsun B110 1200 to B210 120Y.A facelift of the fourth-generation Commodore, the VE of 2006, the VF has the heartbreaking legacy of being Australia’s last-ever locally designed, engineered and built passenger car.It also spawned all-time greats like the HSV GTS-R, was exported to North America and the UK, and – like Ford’s final Falcon – represented unparalleled value given its performance, front mid-engine/rear-drive layout and sports-sedan (and wagon/ute) styling. A true Aussie legend.Importing the smaller, front-wheel-drive mid-sized Opel Insignia from Germany was never going to cut it as a replacement, but the resulting ZB wouldn’t have been so bad if Holden hadn’t insisted on Commodore badges, infuriating fans in the process.Yet, in key areas and due mainly to its newer development, the ZB was a superior family car to the VF, but it wasn’t a true Commodore. Australians shunned it and the plug was pulled by the end of 2019.The fifth-generation Falcon was the all-Australian EA of 1988. Though considered at the time as one of the best-looking new sedans in the world, it was plagued with quality issues that, to Ford’s credit, were quickly resolved. And by the time the EL facelift arrived in 1996, this Falcon series was considered best in class, and jostled with the VS Commodore for domination.But the AU Falcon bombed. People despised its droopy styling and strange grille, especially against the handsome VT Commodore that consequently surged ahead in popularity.Today, it is the Falcon that is more revered, but the AU’s failure forced its maker down a path of debt that, while leading to the legendary Barra and Territory as this country’s only-ever locally made SUV, eventually also collapsed Ford’s Australian manufacturing division after 91 years. A brutal legacy.With its classy American styling update over the preceding, fussy EJ, the 1963 EH Holden was a monumental success, becoming the fastest-selling local car in history with nearly 257,000 sold in just 18 months.That’s an incredible 14,275 monthly registration average, fanned by the introduction of the all-Australian ‘Red’ engine, replacing the old ‘Grey’ anchor that dated back from 1948. At the time, it was considered one of the most advanced and efficient in the global General Motors empire.As it turned out, compact by today’s standards, the EH also came to represent the perfectly sized and proportioned Australian family car as well – a realisation that came way-too late, because its 1965 HD Holden replacement was too big and awkward-looking to resonate in the same way.While not strictly a failure – initial order numbers set records for GMH – the HD’s sales quickly ran out of puff, dropping the monthly sales rate average to 12,780.This gave the rapidly-evolving Falcon a leg-up with consumers that eventually led to the Ford outselling its Holden rival some years later.That gradual chipping away all began with the HD.

China’s Geely has signed a joint venture with Ford to begin shared production at the American carmaker’s production facility in Spain.The Chinese carmaker has conditionally agreed to acquire a 34 per cent stake in Ford’s Almussafes production plant near Valencia, Spain for €221 million (~A$360 million), per a filing with the Hong Kong Exchange.This newly established joint venture will begin in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals, and allow for renovations to boost annual production capacity to 500,000 vehicles.As it currently stands, this Spanish production facility only produces the Ford Kuga, which was previously offered in Australia as the Escape. Production of this mid-size SUV will continue.Beyond this, Ford has confirmed it will produce a new, European-focused “member of the global Bronco family” at the Spanish production facility in 2028.Little details are known about this new European-focused Bronco model, but previous reports have indicated it will be smaller than the full-sized model and potentially offer both electric and hybrid options.Geely also plans to begin production of two electric SUVs at the Spanish production facility in 2028.At this stage it’s unclear what these models will be as the only electric SUV the Chinese carmaker currently offers in Europe is the E5, which is called the EX5 in Australia.Lastly, a new “multi-energy family crossover” designed by Ford and jointly developed with Geely will launch in 2028.No details about this vehicle have been announced yet, but Ford says it will be engineered with its “signature capabilities and driving dynamics”.Geely over the past few years has been scaling its operations in markets outside of China, including in Australia. In the first half of 2026 it sold a total of 474,228 vehicles in overseas markets, which is up 158 per cent year-on-year.In Australia the Chinese carmarker sold a total of 10,970 vehicles in the first half of 2026, which is up 494.6 per cent year-on-year. It is now the 18th best-selling brand Down Under.Geely is far from the only Chinese carmaker that has been acquiring unused production capacity from legacy carmakers.Chery recently signed a non-binding agreement with Nissan to explore contract manufacturing at the Japanese carmaker’s production facility in Sunderland, UK.Stellantis, which owns brands like Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Ram, among others, decided earlier this year to share its manufacturing plants in Spain and France with its Chinese partners Leapmotor and Dongfend, respectively.