Hasty facelift for Falcon

By Alastair Sloane

Ford New Zealand is expected to unveil its upgraded AU Falcon in April or May next year, six months earlier than planned.

The hasty facelift was confirmed by Ford global president Jac Nasser at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week.

The second-generation model is being worked on at the moment. The Australian public will see it for the first time at the Melbourne motor show in March.

Ford decided on the major update to fix the present Falcon's styling woes, a look that has polarised Australians.

Last month, for example, the rival Holden Commodore outsold the AU Falcon in Australia by more than 3000 sales. In New Zealand, however, sales have been strong.

Earlier this year, executives at Ford New Zealand dismissed as fiction a story in Midweek Motoring that the carmaker would fast-track the facelift.

The story said Ford wanted to give the Falcon a new look, something which would appeal to the younger market, especially in Australia where, among 18 to 25-year-olds, there was a huge preference for the rival Holden Commodore.

Changes to the Falcon are significant. Upgrades include revised styling around the tail-lights and sheet-metal changes to the sides, a better independent rear suspension to improve low-speed ride and road noise, and low-cost alterations inside.

The upgrade AU Falcon will be tested in November and December and is expected to be approved for production by Christmas.