Ford Falcon 2010 News

He says most of their customers are people who have been given a rally lesson as a gift."Almost exclusively it"s a gift from a female to a guy as a Father"s day, birthday or Christmas present," he says."Only about 10 per cent of our customers are females.Our customers are often people who are hard to buy presents for.They already have everything like a big screen TV and this is a bit different."RallySchool last year conducted courses for almost 5000 customers over 153 days in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.Of those, 80 days were in Sydney, 30 in Victoria, 22 in Perth and eight each in Queensland and South Australia, but this year Ryan plans to increase the Victorian courses to 52, South Australia to 14 and Queensland to 10.The courses include six-lap drives, 12-lap drives, and half-day and full-day courses with prices from $195 to $995.They also host corporate events and level two instruction which leads to CAMS licensing, however Ryan says only about one percent of their customers ever progress to competition level."Most people have had very limited previous competition experience and aren't interested in competing," he says. "We want to teach them driving skills and promote the sport. We want to show them how addictive it is." RallySchool has over 50 instructors with about half competing at varying levels from club to international."We have six instructors at each event with an average of about 100 years" shared experience," Ryan says.Currently among their team is Ben Atkinson who began driving in club rally championships in 1999, but has mainly filled his trophy cabinet as co-driver to his brother and former World Rally Championship driver Chris, plus Cody Crocker, the most successful driver in the history of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.I recently attended a half-day course with 10 other drivers at the Ipswich-based Willowbank track, which Ryan says is the fastest in the country with its clay base.The event begins with a briefing in which Ryan explains the fundamentals of rally driving and how it differs from road driving."The instructors will encourage you to go faster by pressing harder on the brake pedal," he says."Keep both hands on the steering wheels at 3 and 9 o'clock because you need to know at all times where your front wheels are pointing."You need your front wheels pointing down the road and you need to look down the road not where the car is pointed."He advises we leave it in third gear around the tight circuit to reduce the amount of wheelspin.Sceptical drivers head out with an instructor and pretty soon find out that the old dictum of "in slow, out fast" really works and a higher gear than you would normally select provides more control over the driving wheels. The cars have limiters to prevent you going ridiculously fast, but still hurtle around the track at higher speeds than most can handle.They run on normal road tyres to avoid churning up the track, but apart from the rubber and some suspension tweaks, the vehicles are virtually race ready. Pretty soon instructors have the novice drivers picking up speed and confidence and returning to the pits with a grin as wide as their outstretched arms.As Ryan says, "the guys on TV make it look easy". Having never driven on a dirt track before, I first had to "un-learn" a lot of tar habits such as trailing the brake and using a wide arc through corners. On the dirt, he says you get your braking over in a straight line and you stick to the "clean line" on the inside of the corner where the best grip is. They don't teach the "Scandinavian flick" or handbrake cornering, but they do teach valuable lessons in car feel and control.Each driver gets four six-lap sessions, one in each car (Lancer, Subaru and Ford ute), and the fourth in the car of their choice. Around the country, RallySchool has 14 vehicles: two Ford utes, one Holden ute, eight Subaru WRX STi sedans and four Evo Lancers.The three cars used at Willowbank are spread out on the track at the same time, so there is little down time for customers. They also rotate through a second Subaru as a passenger with Atkinson showing them the finer points of rally driving.To cap it off, customers also experience a hot lap with a rally driver, which puts their own brave attempts into perspective. The hot laps are a real adrenalin rush, but they also show just how far off the pace you are. For an extra $50, customers can also buy a video of their experience.Brad Hooper, 32, drove five hours up from Kempsey in his Golf GTI to take part in the course. "The instructor gets you to pick up your speed quite quickly," he says.The motorsport fan who also owns a Ducati 1098 motorcycle was given the gift by his wife, Kathryn, two years ago.Michael Whitehouse, 46, of Brisbane, has no interest in motorsport and was given the course as a present from his partner, Lynne Newbury."It's just an adrenalin rush," he said after his drive. Newbury bought the course for Whitehouse "because he has everything else"."I thought it best to buy him an experience he will remember," she says. "Now he can tick that one off his bucket list."WHAT I LEARNTI will never be Chris Atkinson;I drive too fast into corners and don"t use enough brake;If you go slower into the corner, you can get on the throttle earlier and achieve more terminal speed on the next straight;Braking transfers weight to the front wheels which gives them more grip and steering feel; The smoother you drive, the less you unsettle the car.SNAPSHOTWHAT: Rally driving lessonsWHERE: Richmond, Toronto NSW, Willowbank QLD, Werribee VIC, Tailem Bend SA and Bakers Hill WAHOW MUCH: six-lap drives ($195), 12-lap drives ($375), half-day ($555) and full-day course ($995)WHO: RallySchoolWEB: rallyschool.com.auPHONE: 1800 208 000

The Melbourne-based car maker has updated the FG Falcon's features list and improved its fuel economy in the process.  The Falcon range now complies with Euro IV emissions regulations thanks to the inclusion of the ZF six-speed auto across the petrol sedan range, as well as a number of other changes. Also on the list of improvements is a new catalytic converter, software changes - including "Enhanced Deceleration Fuel Shut-Off (DFSO)" for better metropolitan fuel economy.  The Tremec six-speed manual remains the standard gearbox on XR sedans and all utes (the ZF is an extra $1000 on the XR6 and a $2000 option on the XR6 Turbo), with the latter now getting only the six-speed auto as a $1000 option with the demise of the five-speed automatic. Ford says it has a new six-speed column shift mechanism for the entry-level workhorse ute, so customers can still have the extra passenger in the three-across seating set-up.  Other changes includes the inclusion of side airbags on the XR6 ute range and the Bluetooth phone link and full iPod integration - previously on the options list for all models bar the G6E Turbo - as standard across the Falcon line-up. The changes have dropped the Falcon petrol six-speed auto sedans to an ADR fuel use figure of 9.9 litres per 100km, an improvement of between 2 and 5 per cent, depending on the model.  The utes consumption has improved by 8.5 per cent to 10.7l/100km Fans of the V8 performance models will have to wait until Ford announces its plans for the XR8 range, which the company says will be "revealed at a later date." Ford Australia president Marin Burela says the factory has lifted its build rates and the company is confident about 2010.  "We have a strong order bank coming back in the second quarter. "Our product pipeline is on stream ... I think you're going to see a very different share performance as we start to deliver over future months," Mr Burela says.  "We are bullish what the 2010 industry will look like for the industry and for Ford.  "The daily build rate is up from 258 to more than 270 cars a day. "In 2010 Broadmeadows throughput will increase by between 15 and 20 per cent compared to 2009," he says.  The upgrades come with a price rise but Ford says the increases are more than offset by equipment upgrade. FG Falcon range represents even greater value for money for large car customers, with the additional standard safety and technology features more than offsetting the slight increases to the Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) on most models.  The G6 sedan, for example, increases by $500, but Ford says it is getting almost $2500 worth of extra gear - the six-speed auto, Bluetooth phone link and iPod integration as standard. Fuel consumption: FG Falcon sedanXT   five-speed auto  10.5     six-speed auto  9.9   5.7%G6   five-speed auto  10.5     six-speed auto  9.9   5.7%G6E   six-speed auto  10.1     six-speed auto  9.9   2.0%G6E Turbo   six-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  11.7   -XR6   five-speed auto  10.5     six-speed auto  9.9   5.7%XR6 Turbo   six-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  11.7   -FG Falcon UteBase   five-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  10.7   8.5%R6   five-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  10.7   8.5%XR6   five-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  10.7   8.5%XR6 Turbo   six-speed auto  12.5     six-speed auto  12.5   -Pricing: FG Falcon sedanXT   $40,290   +$600G6   $43,490   +$500G6E  $50,390  +$500G6E Turbo   $58,990 (not including LCT)    +$1100XR6   $42,990   +$100XR6 Turbo   $48,990   +$600FG Falcon UteBase (CC)   $31,095   +$600Base (SSB)   $31,395   +$500R6 (CC)   $33,095   +$600R6 (SSB)   $33,395   +$500XR6 (CC)   $37,890  +$600XR6 (SSB)   $38,190  +$500XR6 Turbo (SSB)   $42,190   +$500

... now it means buying cars from almost anywhere else. Sales figures for January released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries reveal that Australian-made vehicles were a poor fourth in terms of buyer preference.While we have long favoured imports from Japan, last month more buyers bought cars from Korea and Thailand in preference to those made manufactured in Melbourne and Adelaide. In fifth position, German imports recorded one of their best-ever sales months.  With the tariff having been reduced from 10 to five per cent, importers are sharpening their prices, posing a still more acute threat to the locals.Last month 26,311 vehicles from Japan sold in Australia; 13,130 from Korea; 10,777 from Thailand; 9741 locally made and 6066 from Germany.  While not the worst-ever numerical return in a month for Australian-made, fourth is an ordinary result for the local industry which the federal Government assists to the tune of $6.2 billion.While Holden can claim the Commodore was January's best-selling model on 3241 and Ford can point to an improved performance from the Falcon compared with January 2009, both models are hugely reliant on bargain sales to fleets rather than more profitable private sales.  Moreover, Holden's other bestsellers -- such as the Cruze, Barina and the Captiva -- are made in South Korea and re-badged for local buyers.Toyota, which makes the Camry sedan in Melbourne, was on top in the January monthly market with 14,564 vehicle sales, ahead of Holden with 10,468 and Ford on 6730. Mazda, was the fourth most popular car maker on 6658. Hyundai, with 6208, was fifth.Although they were several thousand behind the locals, sales of German imports are only going north, with a 78 per cent increase on January, 2009.  While the prestige brand Audi recorded a record 1328 sales, the impetus was due largely to manufacture of the Carsguide Car of the Year-winning Volkswagen Golf moving from South Africa to Germany, where its derivative Tiguan soft-roader is also made.COUNTRY OF ORIGINVehicle sales figures for January26,311 ... Japan13,130 ... Korea10,777 ... Thailand9,741 ..... Australia6,066 ..... Germany 

More than one in three cars is stolen during the morning in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, according to the data from car insurance company Budget Direct.The exception is Victoria, where 30 per cent of cars are stolen during midweek evenings.  Budget Direct spokesperson Richelle Ward says it is surprising to see how many vehicles were stolen in broad daylight."One might think thieves would prefer to operate through the night, which is simply not the case," Ward says.  The data shows that thieves also like the cold weather with most thefts occurring in the winter months around the nation, except for Queensland where summer is the most popular with thieves.Tasmania's crime peak is in September which accounts for almost one in three car thefts. The same month accounts for 25 per cent of thefts in South Australia, while Western Australia’s peak month is April with 20 per cent of thefts.Throughout the nation the most popular vehicle for thieves is the Holden Commodore which has also been the top seller for the past decade and most vehicles are stolen on a Monday.However, in Western Australia, the Ford Falcon is twice as popular among thieves as the second biggest target, the Toyota Camry.  Budget Direct data also show almost half of all accidents across the nation occur between noon and 6pm on a Friday.  Ward says the accident data indicates a trend for drivers to switch off after a long week's work.

Some of it is inspiring, some is disappointing, some of it is enlightening and a lot is plain hooey and hot air.It is great to listen to transplanted Holden chief Mark Reuss talk about calling customers to get a feeling of how General Motors is rated in the USA, Ford chief Alan Mulally drops some great hints about the Falcon being twinned with the next Ford Mustang, and sales boss Ian Robertson talks enthusiastically about the future of Mini inside the BMW Group.But the one line that hits me hardest comes from someone I have never seen before, a man called Mike Robinson.  "The stone age didn't end because they ran out of stones. They had better ideas," he says.It gives me a light-bulb moment on the future of the automobile and helps cut through all the various technologies on display in Detroit. Particularly the GM Volt, the company's range-extended hybrid hero car.It should not be a surprise, because Robinson is the new 'futurist' at GM, taking over from Larry Burns. He is quieter than Burns, and not as edgy as the man with one of the biggest brains in the car business, but he still makes a lot of sense.Robinson's official title at GM is vice-president, Environment, Energy and Safety but what he really does is try to crystal-ball the future.  He has a lot to say and a lot of it makes sense, so it's good to share some of his insights.Robinson has a clear take on GM's original electric car, the EV-1, which sparked the movie 'Who killed the electric car?'. "It just wasn't the right time," he says.So, what about electric cars for 2010 and beyond."There is no silver bullet that we know of," he says, stating the obvious.  But his take on batteries gives a lot more insight.  "The battery is just a room. It's what you put in that room," he says.Robinson talks across the map, about nuclear power for electricity, a family of Volt-based models, what GM's rivals are doing on future propulsion, and even the take-up rate of the leading-edge cars coming to showrooms in the next few years.He finishes with another simple but worrying sentence. It's one that still has me thinking.  "Technology sells itself a lot easier when the price of fuel is high," he says.Follow Paul Gover on Twitter!

Ford Australia chief, Marin Burela, fresh from the Detroit motor show, says the Falcon will remain a part of the local scene despite speculation that it was facing the end of the road as Ford moves to a global strategy.Ford has confirmed that the next-generation Falcon has a role in the "One Ford" global structure and could share its underbody architecture with other cars like the rear-drive Mustang.  Arriving back in Australia early this week Burela attacked speculation that the Falcon was dead in the water."It was completely unwarranted," he says.  "We have been very vocal about our `One Ford' policy and the great things it has done for Australia to date.  There was nothing new that was said in Detroit that deserved the attention, particularly the negative attention that it received."  Burela says Ford Australia continues to take a lead role in engineering and design in the region and this will not change.The Broadmeadows team are in the final development phase of a global medium pickup, called the T6, which will be sold in more than 100 countries.  "We're the engineering and design and development for that here in Australia and for the Figo hatch," he says.  "Our position on Falcon and the future it has in Australia really hasn't changed at all."Burela says reports that the company will drop its four and five-speed gearboxes — and move to a six-speed automatic only — are premature.  "Sometimes I think that people read too much into things that are taking place around us," he says.  "We have had nothing but great feedback about the four-speed and five-speed. We have no immediate change in mind right now."However, the four-speed could be phased out towards the end of the year when the Falcon gets a high-tech liquid-injection LPG system for its six-cylinder.  Burela says like all carmakers, Ford Australia would continue to make "any tweaks or changes to our lineup that are necessary"."You continue to evolve your lineup to deliver the best possible combination of driving and finesse," he says.  After the car industry's global battering last year, Burela is optimistic about 2010.  "Coming off 2009 it gives us confidence," he says.He says the Federal Government's stimulus package was timely "just as the global financial crisis was shaking confidence".  For 2010, the Ford executive sees the local market quiet in the first quarter but then pick up for the rest of the year."Our view is that the industry will be as strong, if not stronger," he says.  It will be a busy year for the blue oval brand with Falcon and Ford Performance Vehicle products getting mechanical and engine updates.Falcon prototype mules are up and running with the new Ecoboost four-cylinder engine and Territory turbo-diesel, both of which arrive next year to compete against newer rivals.  Ford has used the Falcon nameplate on its large car since 1960.

The current FG Falcon is safe for at least another four years as Ford's local spearhead and plans are beginning to integrate its replacement into a new-look, globally-focussed One Ford organisation. The move is unlikely to affect Ford Australia's local manufacturing operation, with the Falcon-based Territory SUV also set for an even longer run through to 2016, but will lead to greater efficiencies and a leaner, greener local family car.  The broad sweep of the Falcon plan was outlined exclusively to the Herald Sun yesterday at the Detroit Motor Show by Ford's worldwide president, Alan Mulally. He pointed to a continued role for the Falcon in Australia within an integrated global product plan. "We'll be in the Falcon market, yes. But as we go forward we'll continue to use all our assets around the world," Mulally said.  "We have learned so much from the Falcon, because it's a dynamite car. Whatever that Falcon morphs to, for the next one, it will be available for everyone around the world. He also effectively dismissed suggestions that the Falcon, a traditional rear-wheel drive design, would be replaced by the front-drive Taurus built for the USA. The Taurus has already failed once in Australia, in the 1990s.  "We're going to have a large sedan. The whole thing about rear-wheel drive? We're going to have a rear-wheel drive car," Mulally said. "And we've got the Mustang. So you can imagine, going forward, that there will be a next version of the Falcon that will be even better. In capital letters."  Rumours of a end to the Falcon's run in Australia, and perhaps even an end to local production by Ford, were categorically denied yesterday in Detroit by the president of Ford Australia, Marin Burela."No company that was going to pull out of Australia would be spending $230 million on bringing the world's best powertrain technology to Australia for the Falcon," Burela told the Herald Sun.He said the coming introduction of a four-cylinder engine in the Falcon would allow Ford to compete against new rivals, including the Toyota Camry, as well as setting a new class benchmark for engine efficiency."Our strategy is very clear. We took a very bold step forward when we announced a significant investment in Falcon only a few months ago. No other local manufacturer has committed that sort of investment in recent times," Burela said."Why did we do that? We did that to give Falcon an incremental level of growth opportunity over time."If you look at the things we have done on Falcon, and we are planning for Falcon, there is absolutely no reason for us to deviate because the plan is working."Burela highlighted an improvement in Falcon's share of family-car sales in Australia in 2009 at the expense of the Holden Commodore, and even the need to work some weekend shifts at its factory in Broadmeadows to satisfy demand.  "It's actually delivering a very, very very exciting return," he said.Burela stressed that planning for the next new Falcon is barely into the research stage, with no urgency on any sort of commitment. He also hinted that it would be possible for the car to share much of its basic mechanical package with the next all-new Mustang, but with a local body above the mechanical package."The Falcon's changeover is due to take place at the end of 2014, or early in 2015. Our decisions . . . for Falcon don't have to be made until we get through to the middle of 2011. So we have time on our hands.  "At the moment, all is well on the Falcon side of things. All is very well."

It should be the major American brands who make the news in the snow and cold of Motown, but the Ford Falcon jumps into the spotlight with questions about its future and the Holden Commodore joins it with talk about a renewed export push for the VE.We start our Detroit 2010 coverage this week with a preview of the global Ford Focus and news on the Aussie connection for the upcoming Holden Barina, but cannot ignore the Falcon and Commodore.The Ford sparks interest when the company's worldwide chief, Alan Mulally, talks about the Blue Oval's globalisation and a decision not to do totally unique local models in any country. It looks like a potential death sentence for a truly homegrown, locally-developed Falcon.But, less than 12 hours later, Mulally clarifies things and it seems the Falcon could actually be twinned with the classic Ford Mustang to create a new mechanical platform with rear-wheel drive for use after 2015."We'll be in the Falcon market, yes. But as we go forward we'll continue to use all our assets around the world," Mulally says.  "We have learned so much from the Falcon, because it's a dynamite car. Whatever that Falcon morphs to, for the next one, it will be available for everyone around the world."Local Ford president, Marin Burela, then fills in more detail with talk about a common go-kart for the Falcon and Mustang with individual 'top hat' bodywork over the engine and running gear.  "No company that was going to pull out of Australia would be spending $230 million on bringing the world's best powertrain technology to Australia for the Falcon," Burela says."If you look at the things we have done on Falcon, and we are planning for Falcon, there is absolutely no reason for us to deviate because the plan is working. It's actually delivering a very, very very exciting return."He confirms the current BF Falcon will run until 2015, with the Territory out to 2016, and says Ford does not need to make any serious planning decisions on the cars until the middle of 2011 at the earliest.The good news on Falcon - despite the uncertainty about the level of local involvement in development beyond 2015 - is matched when General Motors talks openly about the chance for the VE Commodore to rebound from the loss of the Pontiac G8 export deal with a new connection.Mark Reuss, the former Holden boss who is now the top trump for GM sales in North America, refuses to be specific but admits there is a live opportunity. It could be with either Chevrolet or GMC, with the sedan or the ute, but he will not be drawn as he talks to Australian journalists in Detroit."There are other opportunities there. I don't want to ruin one (by talking about it)," Reuss says.  "It only gets more attractive."Follow Paul Gover on Twitter!

Actually, they will be hearing from Lowndes as he takes a new career direction that will expand his family following way beyond his own children Chilli and Levi.Lowndes is the newest cast member for the hit children's series, Roary The Racing Car.  He voices the newest character, Conrod, in three episodes that will screen on the ABC from the end of this month. And he is hopeful of a bigger role if Conrod is popular with youngsters in the 100-plus countries where the show is played."This is fantastic. It's something very different for me," says Lowndes.  "Conrod is an Australian racing driver who heads to Silverhatch to visit some friends. Then he has a few races."He's a nice guy. Everyone accepts him except Roary, but in the end they become friends. He is very competitive and loves to win."  So, just like Lowndes, then?  "Yeah, pretty much. Actually, he's so much like me it's unbelievable," Lowndes laughs.The idea for Conrod was hatched last year at the Australian Grand Prix, when the Roary producers were looking for an Australia character.  "Luckily I did pretty well that weekend and they saw me up on the podium. It started from that."Lowndes had a test chat for the team and was signed for his guest- starring role, which was recorded in Queensland on a special link to London.  "They had someone there reading my part and then I had to fill in. It was a bit of a learning curve for me, that's for sure," he says."They knew what they wanted, and wanted an ocker style which is not really me. But we got it right and did it in one day."  Roary is a pre-schooler series with animated cars as the characters, a bit like Thomas the Tank Engine. It's already into its second series and 80-something Sir Stirling Moss, possibly the world's most famous racing driver, is the narrator.Conrod is an Aussie muscle car, although there is no way to decide if he is a Ford or Holden. For Lowndes, who recently backflipped from a  Ford Falcon to a Holden Commodore for the 2010 V8 Supercar series, that's good."He looks tough. Almost like a drag racing car. The engine is hanging out of the bonnet and he's big and bold.  Is he a Ford or Holden? Well, there is a round emblem on his nose."Lowndes comes to Roary as a confirmed fan of The Wiggles, and admits he once had Captain Feathersword — one of the Wiggles characters — as his hero.  "Not now, it has to be Conrod. I had heard of Roary and now it's personal," he says.Lowndes is hoping the three episodes are a hit, not just in Australia, to keep him in the show.  "This character is me. And not just my voice. I'm hoping if it works well then we'll be doing more."Conrod stars in three episodes of Roary the Racing Car which screen on the ABC on January 29, February 1 and 2.

PAUL Morris got an inside look at the opposition when he turned some hot laps last week in a Falcon from Stone Brothers Racing. The Commodore team boss was asked if he wanted to try the car during an end-of-season ride day, as his 2009 driver Tim Slade also got his first run in the Falcon he will race in 2009.BROOKE Tatnell bounced back from a very ordinary 14th place for a sprintcar win at his home track in Sydney last weekend. Engine tuning work restored his Krikke Motorsport sprinter to full power for a local series event, following the previous weeks' World Series contest, and he was able to run at the front in a race where Garry Brazier ran off the track and Robbie Farr flipped to make things easier for the WSS pace-setter.YOUNGSTER Daniel Erickson is looking for a new way to graduate to the Star Mazda series in the USA after losing the backing from the Australian Motor Sport Foundation that helped him race Formula Ford in Britain this year. Erickson is bitterly disappointed about losing the AMSF support but is looking forward and not back for the next step in his career.ANDREW Thompson will join Fabian Coulthard in a two-car Bundaberg Red Racing operation in 2009 as part of the Walkinshaw Motorsport attack on next year's V8 Supercar championship. Thompson, one of the most promising youngsters of recent years, takes the place of David Reynolds, who could be moving back to Porsche racing with a European program for 2010.A super-quick Audi R8 GT3 will add extra variety to the Australian GT Championship in 2010. The 2008 series champion, Mark Eddy, has decided to switch from a Lamborghini Gallardo to the German racer and will have the first R8 GT3 in the country, while his Gallardo will be campaigned next year by Perth driver Ross Zampatti.MARK Webber celebrated the end of his 2009 season with two honours at the annual Autosport awards in London. He picked up the Innes Ireland award for courage and sportsmanship and the Bruce McLaren Trophy for the best-performing Commonwealth driver of the season. David Brabham and Daniel Ricciardo both received Autosport awards for their successes through '09.DRAG racing fans in Melbourne have not given up on plans for a new venue in the city, despite a series of setbacks in recent years. Anyone who wants to support the move should go to www.motorvatemelbourne.com