Ford Discontinues Aussie Operations - Ford Falcon History in Pictures 1960 - 2016
05-25-2013, 01:42 AM
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Ford Discontinues Aussie Operations - Ford Falcon History in Pictures 1960 - 2016 It's official: the Ford Falcon, one of Australia's most iconic and oldest automotive nameplates, will be dead by 2016
Aussie Ford muscle icons outside of Broadmeadows assembly
Historic shot of the first Ford Falcon motor ever produced in Australia in contrast with the plant today
1925 – Ford Motor Company of Australia incorporated – amalgamating distribution from state-based agents. Manufacture of Model T and tractors begins at temporary premises in Geelong, Victoria.
1926 – Major manufacturing plants built in Geelong, Brisbane and Adelaide.
1929 – Freemantle assembly plant opens in Western Australia.
1934 – The world’s first coupe-utility model (El Camino/Ranchero bodystyles to Americans) – conceived by Australian Lew Bandt – begins production.
1936 – Homebush assembly plant opens in Sydney.
1952 – V8 Customline sedan and Australian-designed Mainline utility released, along with smaller, six-cylinder Zephyr and Zephyr utility.
1954 – Geelong factory receives half-million-dollar overhaul with new stamping presses.
1955 – Overhead-valve V8 introduced in Customline and Mainline.
1958 – Construction begins on Broadmeadows assembly plant in outer Melbourne. Engine plant upgraded in Geelong.
1959 – Broadmeadows plant opens in August. First car produced is a ‘Tank’ Fairlane.
1960 – First six-cylinder Falcon engine is completed on April 29 in Geelong. First fully-built XK Falcon leaves the Broadmeadows production line on June 28.
1961 – Manufacturing capacity is increased from 50,000 to 90,000 vehicles per year. Falcon utility and panel van added to range.
1962 – XL Falcon and first Cortina launched. Total Falcon production reaches 100,000.
1964 – New $2 million Australian head office opens at Broadmeadows. XM Falcon launches with new two-door Hardtop.
1965 – You Yangs proving ground opens at Lara, Victoria. 70,000-mile Durability Run demonstrates the toughness of the re-engineered XP Falcon. XP wins WHEELS Car of the Year award.
1966 – XR Falcon range released with optional V8 engine kicking off the Australian performance era. Falcon wins WHEELS Car of the Year award for the second year running. Brisbane plant receives $2 million upgrade.
1967 – Australia’s first homegrown muscle car – the XR Falcon GT – introduced, along with long-wheelbase ZA Fairlane. XR GT wins Bathurst 500. One-millionth Australian-built Ford produced.
1969 – XW Falcon introduces legendary HO (Handling Option) package for the GT.
1970 – CKD (Completely Knocked Down) exports hit 30,000. XY Falcon released as Ford announces $45 million expansion. Escort begins production.
1971 – XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III introduced to win Bathurst – fills all podium positions. Truck assembly plant opens in Broadmeadows.
1972 – First all-Australian engineered Falcon XA introduced, along with Aussie-designed two-door Hardtop.
1974 – Ford Asia-Pacific regional office opens in Melbourne.
1975 – Ford Louisville truck begins local assembly in right-hand drive.
1976 – $72 million investment in new product and facilities announced.
1977 – Plastics plant expanded. Ford achieves famous one-two at Bathurst.
1979 – New-generation XD Falcon – first mass-produced vehicle in the world with a plastic fuel tank.
1980 – $300 million investment program includes alloy head engines for Falcon. Homebush plant gets $13 million upgrade to prepare for Laser.
1981 – Locally-built Laser enters production at Homebush. Becomes an immediate best-seller.
1982 – Ford achieves Australian market leadership at Holden’s expense. XE Falcon is the country's best-selling car.
1983 – $70 million four-cylinder engine plant built in Geelong, but Ford discontinues the Falcon V8 option.
1984 – XF Falcon helps Ford achieve top spot in passenger and overall vehicle sales.
1985 – Ford Australia sells a record 170,811 units. Broadmeadows gets new paint facility.
1988 – All-new EA Falcon launched.
1989 – Ford is market leader in sales for the ninth consecutive year.
1990 – Aussie-designed Capri convertible is exported to the US as a Mercury.
1991 – The V8 is revived in the EB Falcon. Capri exports pass 30,000.
1993 – ED Falcon is Australia’s best-selling car.
1994 – Homebush assembly plant in Sydney closes – Laser now fully-imported from Japan. Capri production ceases.
1995 – Ford is number one in passenger and overall sales. EF Falcon is Australia’s best-selling car.
1996 – Falcon exports resume to South Africa.
1998 – All-new AU Falcon launched. Brisbane assembly plant closes.
1999 – Ford Tickford Experience (FTE) models introduced as a rival to Holdden Special Vehicles (HSV), Australian high-performance wars start.
2002 – Heavily re-engineered BA Falcon launched – first Falcon to win WHEELS Car of the Year since 1966. It also introduces the legendary Barra turbocharged in-line six.
2003 – BA Falcon sales reach 73,220. Prodrive contracted to create Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) tuning arm which replaces Tickford and FTE.
2004 – Australia’s Falcon-based and first home-grown SUV – the Territory – is released and wins WHEELS Car of the Year award.
2005 – BF Falcon is released.
2008 – Fairlane and LTD longwheelbase production ceases. New-generation FG Falcon is released and sells 31,936 units. Ford announces $21 million investment at Geelong engine plant, stating iconic Aussie 4.0-litre in-line six will continue in production at beyond 2010.
2011 – FG Falcon sales slip to 18,741.
2012 – Four-cylinder, turbocharged Falcon Ecoboost introduced.
2013 – Ford Australia announces it will cease local manufacture in October 2016.
First flight, the very first Australian assembled Falcon rolls off the line in 1960
1960 XK
1962 XL
1964 XM
1965 XP
1966 XR
1968 XT
1969 XW
1970 XY
1972 XA
1973 XB
1976 XC
1979 XD
1982 XE
1984 XF
1988 EA
1991 EB
1993 ED
1994 EF
1996 EL
1998 AU
2002 BA
2005 BF
2008 FG
One final Falcon revision will be introduced in 2014 and production will cease in 2016
Ford's sales decline in Australia and New Zealand had accelerated in recent years
Aussie Ford muscle icons outside of Broadmeadows assembly
Historic shot of the first Ford Falcon motor ever produced in Australia in contrast with the plant today
1925 – Ford Motor Company of Australia incorporated – amalgamating distribution from state-based agents. Manufacture of Model T and tractors begins at temporary premises in Geelong, Victoria.
1926 – Major manufacturing plants built in Geelong, Brisbane and Adelaide.
1929 – Freemantle assembly plant opens in Western Australia.
1934 – The world’s first coupe-utility model (El Camino/Ranchero bodystyles to Americans) – conceived by Australian Lew Bandt – begins production.
1936 – Homebush assembly plant opens in Sydney.
1952 – V8 Customline sedan and Australian-designed Mainline utility released, along with smaller, six-cylinder Zephyr and Zephyr utility.
1954 – Geelong factory receives half-million-dollar overhaul with new stamping presses.
1955 – Overhead-valve V8 introduced in Customline and Mainline.
1958 – Construction begins on Broadmeadows assembly plant in outer Melbourne. Engine plant upgraded in Geelong.
1959 – Broadmeadows plant opens in August. First car produced is a ‘Tank’ Fairlane.
1960 – First six-cylinder Falcon engine is completed on April 29 in Geelong. First fully-built XK Falcon leaves the Broadmeadows production line on June 28.
1961 – Manufacturing capacity is increased from 50,000 to 90,000 vehicles per year. Falcon utility and panel van added to range.
1962 – XL Falcon and first Cortina launched. Total Falcon production reaches 100,000.
1964 – New $2 million Australian head office opens at Broadmeadows. XM Falcon launches with new two-door Hardtop.
1965 – You Yangs proving ground opens at Lara, Victoria. 70,000-mile Durability Run demonstrates the toughness of the re-engineered XP Falcon. XP wins WHEELS Car of the Year award.
1966 – XR Falcon range released with optional V8 engine kicking off the Australian performance era. Falcon wins WHEELS Car of the Year award for the second year running. Brisbane plant receives $2 million upgrade.
1967 – Australia’s first homegrown muscle car – the XR Falcon GT – introduced, along with long-wheelbase ZA Fairlane. XR GT wins Bathurst 500. One-millionth Australian-built Ford produced.
1969 – XW Falcon introduces legendary HO (Handling Option) package for the GT.
1970 – CKD (Completely Knocked Down) exports hit 30,000. XY Falcon released as Ford announces $45 million expansion. Escort begins production.
1971 – XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III introduced to win Bathurst – fills all podium positions. Truck assembly plant opens in Broadmeadows.
1972 – First all-Australian engineered Falcon XA introduced, along with Aussie-designed two-door Hardtop.
1974 – Ford Asia-Pacific regional office opens in Melbourne.
1975 – Ford Louisville truck begins local assembly in right-hand drive.
1976 – $72 million investment in new product and facilities announced.
1977 – Plastics plant expanded. Ford achieves famous one-two at Bathurst.
1979 – New-generation XD Falcon – first mass-produced vehicle in the world with a plastic fuel tank.
1980 – $300 million investment program includes alloy head engines for Falcon. Homebush plant gets $13 million upgrade to prepare for Laser.
1981 – Locally-built Laser enters production at Homebush. Becomes an immediate best-seller.
1982 – Ford achieves Australian market leadership at Holden’s expense. XE Falcon is the country's best-selling car.
1983 – $70 million four-cylinder engine plant built in Geelong, but Ford discontinues the Falcon V8 option.
1984 – XF Falcon helps Ford achieve top spot in passenger and overall vehicle sales.
1985 – Ford Australia sells a record 170,811 units. Broadmeadows gets new paint facility.
1988 – All-new EA Falcon launched.
1989 – Ford is market leader in sales for the ninth consecutive year.
1990 – Aussie-designed Capri convertible is exported to the US as a Mercury.
1991 – The V8 is revived in the EB Falcon. Capri exports pass 30,000.
1993 – ED Falcon is Australia’s best-selling car.
1994 – Homebush assembly plant in Sydney closes – Laser now fully-imported from Japan. Capri production ceases.
1995 – Ford is number one in passenger and overall sales. EF Falcon is Australia’s best-selling car.
1996 – Falcon exports resume to South Africa.
1998 – All-new AU Falcon launched. Brisbane assembly plant closes.
1999 – Ford Tickford Experience (FTE) models introduced as a rival to Holdden Special Vehicles (HSV), Australian high-performance wars start.
2002 – Heavily re-engineered BA Falcon launched – first Falcon to win WHEELS Car of the Year since 1966. It also introduces the legendary Barra turbocharged in-line six.
2003 – BA Falcon sales reach 73,220. Prodrive contracted to create Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) tuning arm which replaces Tickford and FTE.
2004 – Australia’s Falcon-based and first home-grown SUV – the Territory – is released and wins WHEELS Car of the Year award.
2005 – BF Falcon is released.
2008 – Fairlane and LTD longwheelbase production ceases. New-generation FG Falcon is released and sells 31,936 units. Ford announces $21 million investment at Geelong engine plant, stating iconic Aussie 4.0-litre in-line six will continue in production at beyond 2010.
2011 – FG Falcon sales slip to 18,741.
2012 – Four-cylinder, turbocharged Falcon Ecoboost introduced.
2013 – Ford Australia announces it will cease local manufacture in October 2016.
First flight, the very first Australian assembled Falcon rolls off the line in 1960
1960 XK
1962 XL
1964 XM
1965 XP
1966 XR
1968 XT
1969 XW
1970 XY
1972 XA
1973 XB
1976 XC
1979 XD
1982 XE
1984 XF
1988 EA
1991 EB
1993 ED
1994 EF
1996 EL
1998 AU
2002 BA
2005 BF
2008 FG
One final Falcon revision will be introduced in 2014 and production will cease in 2016
Ford's sales decline in Australia and New Zealand had accelerated in recent years
Last edited by TriShield; 05-25-2013 at 09:41 AM.
05-25-2013, 09:51 AM
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Agreed on the AU, which was apparently dubbed the cockroach. My personal favorite aside from the big 1970s Mad Max coupes is the 2002+ BA turbo (it's like an Aussie Buick Grand National), which itself is a comprehensive refresh of the 1998 car. What a difference a refresh can make to an ugly car.
