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Ford’s global RWD platform to be engineered in the U.S.

 
6 504 views Jan 21, 2008
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Ford’s global RWD platform to be engineered in the U.S.

Ford’s global RWD platform to be engineered in the U.S.

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When GM decided to rejuvenate its RWD lineup it turned to its Holden division in Australia to spearhead the engineering work for the new cars. The Aussie market is unique in that it’s home to two of the world’s most affordable, spacious, and powerful RWD models, the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon sedans, and while many other markets have focused on compact and fuel-efficient FWD models the Aussies have been improving their rear-driving offerings for more than 30 years.

Like GM, Ford too wants to revive its RWD heritage but, unlike its rival, the Blue Oval plans to engineer and design its new models in the U.S. "The vehicles that we're looking at will be designed where they're engineered, and those global RWD platform vehicles will be engineered here in the U.S, as far as I know," Ford group vice president of design J Mays revealed to Automotive News.

Ford execs confirmed this month that there are RWD models in the pipeline for both Ford and Lincoln, and speaking at the recent Detroit Auto Show Ford's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, said the cars will probably come out in the next three to five years.

The new models according to Mays will feature the same proportions as the previous Ford Interceptor (pictured) and Lincoln MKR concepts but the final production versions won’t look the same. They will have “more dynamic exterior styling,” he claimed.



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Comments (6)

  1. By Paulbe Posted: 1/21/2008 9:13pm PST

    If the Americans do it it will be rubbish, like everything else on the planet they touch
     
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  2. By bambam Posted: 1/21/2008 11:55pm PST

    I have to admit. Australia would seem like the right choice for this project but the overall styling should go to the US or EU. But by the way the US has change in these few last month, they should and might get this one right not just for the US market but the world. Australia's design is still in the old ages, nothing but power.

    And yes we did help NASA to the moon. LOL
     
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  3. By MARK Posted: 1/22/2008 12:19am PST

    how are aussie designs in the dark ages still? Its not like they have ten models to all make different and have to design somthing that trys to please all people's taste's.
     
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  4. By anthony Posted: 1/22/2008 12:49am PST

    Paulbe, judging from your closed-minded statement I'd say your jealous of Americans!
     
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  5. By Alan Posted: 1/22/2008 1:32am PST

    Aussie design is not in the dark ages, at least Falcon don't use leaf spring for rear suspension. I'll admit though Australian car's interior is rubbish compared to European cars, and the reliability is no where near Japanese cars, but American cars aren't much better. America has always being good at flying, no question about it, the blackbird, space shuttle ... etc, but when it comes to cars, well it's an entirely different matter. Having said that though, those new Cadillac like the new CTS do seem to be very good.
     
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  6. By chris Posted: 1/22/2008 9:40am PST

    i think ford would be foolish not to have the aussies in on it. If ford is calling it a global RWD platform you can bet the aussies will be involved. the aussies will be used for their experience (considering the rest of ford hasnt done a new RWD sedan in god knows how long), the japanese at mazda will give it good build quality and make it a flexible platform, the euros will design the interior, and the americans will make it cheap to build.

    all i have to say design wise is that the MKR is hot and no harm can be done there. but the interceptor should NOT be used for inspiration. it plays on the styling of the 300, but that will be 10 years old by the time this car hits the market and the 300 is already dated in styling. the interceptor looks like a gangster blinged out a train and smashed it into robocops face. it really is nothing shy of ugly. ford needs to make a large car that looks like the malibu.. something that fits into their future "bold and kinetic" theme. i forget what theyre going to call it but what ever the verve sedan concept looks like.. apply that to a larger car some how and make it happen. also, make it aggressive looking so that cops will buy it.
     
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