Ford ’s Australian arm is facing decreased domestic demand and profits for its products, so it is apparently considering producing significantly more models for exportation in the near future, likely beginning with the next-generation Falcon. Ford Australia currently produces about 7,000 cars for export, a very small figure that could easily be increased.
Reuters reports that Ford Australia profits dropped from A$148.2 million in 2005 to an operating loss of A$40.3 million in ’06. This year is looking even worse than ’06 due to lost ground from imports and GM’s Holden division.
Ford has long been rumored to take a page from GM by repackaging Aussie-built cars to sell them in other markets. While no specific North American plans are known, Ford is cautiously watching GM. The General unsuccessfully imported the Holden Monaro by badging it a Pontiac GTO, but industry analysts are more positive on the upcoming Holden-based Pontiac G8. The difference is that the G8 is a brand-new model not intended to provoke memories of a classic. The GTO’s badging lead to its demise when many consumers couldn’t get over the idea of buying a plain, Australian-built high performance car with a GTO badge.
While no rumors have been confirmed, it’s guessed that the new Falcon would lead the renaissance. U.S. and Canadian sales have been denied, but would seem the most plausible as Europe isn’t a good market for large sedans. Ford has repeatedly said that it would be too expensive to bring Ford of Europe cars to the United States.
