» Get the best price on a new Ford There was good reason why there were no wagon pressings or development mules spotted when the media visited Ford's Geelong factory and proving ground in December. There's not going to be an FG-model wagon -- it's official.
Prior to rolling out the new FG range today, Ford alerted the media, under embargo, that a 'new' BF MkIII wagon would be sold alongside the new Falcon. And while they were at it, the carmaker also confirmed that the arrival of the FG Falcon ute range would see the end of the high-ride RTV variant.
Ford boss Tom Gorman announced the RTV and wagon decisions during the embargoed FG press briefings on February 6.
"The Falcon RTV ute will not continue as part of the FG Falcon ute line-up," Gorman said pragmatically.
"The outstanding success of our Ranger has provided RTV with its greatest competition so we've decide to let Ranger meet the needs for this segment for the foreseeable future," Gorman explained.
The outgoing chief exec left the door ajar for the tallboy Falcon to return, however: "There may be a time in the future when we see the time to bring the product back to satisfy some of our customers, but as we stand here today the RTV will not be continued."
And as opined by the Carsales Network in December (more here), Gorman also confirmed plans to continue the existing Falcon wagon (pictured) in a revised BF MkIII guise.
According to Ford Australia, the new BF Falcon Wagon MkIII will go on sale in May, at the same time as the all-new FG Falcon sedan and Ute line-up is introduced. It will be equipped with Dynamic Stability Control as standard equipment for the first time.
"We've spent a lot of time wrestling with this decision," Gorman said. "But we've listened closely to our customers and they've told us quite strongly that the current Falcon wagon remains an ideal tool of trade vehicle for a broad spectrum of fleet and some private buyers
"They appreciate large load area, its payload capacity and obviously its cost of ownership," Gorman said.
Gorman reiterated the wagon sales decline the company expected after the Territory SUV was introduced in mid-2004 simply hasn't occurred.
"We see the Falcon wagon continuing to fill an important niche in the business sector.
"We believe that continuing to offer this genuine tool of trade wagon with updated safety equipment will offer us a competitive advantage, as well as a different approach to the segment -- especially as some of our competitors have moved to coming to market with sports wagons," Gorman opined, referring to the soon-to-be-released Commodore Sportswagon.
The BF Falcon Wagon MkIII will be available in only XT specification level with the choice of two 'carryover' powertrains -- Ford's existing petrol six and its E-Gas LPG equivalent. Also carried over is the current four-speed automatic transmission.
Ford says the petrol engine variant will be available at launch, while the E-Gas model will join the range the following month (June 2008).
Ford lists the new features on the BF Falcon Wagon MkIII as: "Dynamic Stability Control as standard equipment on the petrol model, new Warm Charcoal carpet in lieu of Medium Stone and an all-new key fob with integrated remote flip ignition key."
Other tweaks include optional alloy wheels, new accents on the front grille surround, Goodyear Eagle Excellence tyres from the FG range and a MkIII badge.
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