Ford Australia says Falcon on track

There is even renewed speculation about an end to local manufacturing if Ford rolls the Falcon into its global product portfolio.  Speaking at the opening of the North American International Auto Show, Ford's global design chief J Mays hints strongly that the days of a rear-drive homegrown Falcon are over.

"Don't hold your breath," Mays says.  But, reacting quickly to the news from Detroit, Ford Australia says no decisions have been made.

"Development of the future-model Falcon is under way as part of Ford's normal product development plans. Design and engineering proposals are currently being considered by the company's teams but a plan has not yet been approved," says company spokesman, Peter Fadeyev.

"No decisions about the design nor on the platform have been made or locked in. At this point, it is too early to provide any specific details about future Falcon models."

While Ford is leaning heavily towards a front or all-wheel drive Falcon replacement after 2015 - in a product family with the Taurus sedan and Explorer SUV in the USA - Holden is closing fast on a renewed commitment to rear-drive in the next Commodore.  Holden, like Ford, must make it next-generation development commitments inside the next year.

The red lion brand is leaning towards a revamp of the mechanical package under the current car, with everything from more high-quality steel to slimmer door pillars, to give it the package size and rear-drive it believes have powered it to a 15-year run as Australia's favourite car.

"We will know in the next six months what the future of the Commodore - the next generation - will look like," says Mike Devereux, the president of GM Holden.

"The rear-drive sedan may not be flavour of the month in other countries, but it is still very much alive in Australia. If we can deliver the right [size] and the right economy, we can continue on the path we're on."