HSE2

This is an article from Car news and was penned prior to the approval of raptor.

There were some interesting comments the following being the highlights.

"Fords Asian chief Henry Wallace says Ford Australia does not need an export strategy for falcon, saying the US supplied the Ford world's large rear wheel drive cars"


"the focus of operations in Australia is to offer effective product. Theres still a role for product manufacturing in Australia.

He said for Ford to survive only asan importer would be very difficult in Australia , partly due to volatility of exchange rates"

MrPlow2

US supplies the world with large RWD cars?! well, god help ford in that case because they are doomed! what large RWD car has Ford US got that can SUCCESSFULLY compete in the international market? ford crown victoria, mercury grand marquis or lincoln town car?! the car's 20 years old!!! it's got a friggin live axle - show me another luxury car with a live axle that is being currently manufactured and selling well!

the fact is, ford us has lost it when it comes to large rwd sedans, so why not invest in australia and let US (as in we, us, oz) make them, and ford US can concentrate on... WHATEVER!

how do these people get these jobs! i swear, the biggest morons have the most responsible jobs...

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<p align="center"> *** just because it sells it doesn't mean it's good *** </p>
Tickford Owners Club of NSW

Space Lord

How many "raptors" would you have to sell in this country alone to be able to recoup the investment that they will make? I say they will have to export it to recoup that sort of money. Ford's Mercury brand has no small 4wd/SUV in it's range so how about exporting the "raptor" to the U.S and badge it a Mercury?

Cobra

That sounds like a good idea. Ive heard rumours that Holden might export thier 4wd to us and rebadge it under the cadilac name. Not sure though how a falcon would so as a murcury/lincoln, it would depend on how they advertise it. A few years ago they tired to sell the Australian Capri convertible as amurcury or loncoln but they didnt do well.

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O.F.R #12
1999 AU XR8
14.594 @ 94.40mph
152.2RWKW (APS dyno)
Switchable Shift Kit, K&N panel filter, Lukey straight thru mufflers, momo gear and steer,
DBA slotted rotors/Bendix ultimate pads (front), Pioneer MP3 head unit and BA XR carpet mats.

Member of the Society Against Stupid SMS Language

Space Lord

Yeah it was sold as a Mercury Capri in the U.S. Believe it or not it sold very strong at first but then the U.S economy took a dive and that was the end of it. I remember reading that it was outselling the MX5 and Mustang at one stage. Mercury recently said that it wants to expand it's lineup in the future. The way i look at it, is that this is a possible way of doing just that.