Ford looks seriously at Mondeo

FORD Australia president Tom Gorman has confirmed that the new-generation mid-size Mondeo unveiled at the recent Paris motor show is on the agenda for Australia.

Ever watchful of its Falcon volumes in the large-car segment being eroded by medium-sized cars from Japan, Ford is keen to wrest this influence back in its favour.

"The answer to that (Mondeo) question is different now than it was two years ago," Mr Gorman told GoAuto. "I think the thing with Mondeo was that when we had it here it wasn’t a great car. It was underpowered and the design was stodgy." The Mondeo was introduced here in 1997 and withdrawn in 2000, barely 12 months after it was revamped and a sports-oriented ST24 variant was added.

But in today’s market climate, Ford is less worried about Mondeo cannibalising Falcon volumes as newer models become increasingly segmented, according to Mr Gorman.

"Our Falcon line has been cannibalised by others in the four-cylinder segment ... whether it be the Mazda6, Accord, Camry, Liberty – they’re in there having our lunch," he said. "I think we have to think more seriously about having an offering there.

"With Mondeo not only do you get a great four-cylinder but a great diesel and a hatch offering. There are a lot of things they it bring to the party that would be worth considering." Ford often invokes the mantra "never say never" when reviewing possible additions to its line-up.

"We are constantly studying things," Mr Gorman said. "You can’t be running around in circles all the time." Another car likely to arrive within 18 months is a hot 2.0-litre ST version of the Fiesta hatch.

GoAuto has learnt that last month Ford registered the XR4 name and the XR4 trademark, which points to the hot hatch being added into the ever-increasing XR stable.

Mr Gorman said the company was "definitely in the phase of seriously considering it in order to get the economics to make sense".

Ford Australia displayed the 110kW 2.0-litre Fiesta ST at the 2004 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney and received a favourable reaction to the car.

"But at that point in time the segment wasn’t that big," Mr Gorman said. "We were doing 400 a month. Now we’re doing 600-650 a month so you think it might be a little halo play for us.

"The economics change and all of a sudden it looks like it makes sense. None of them (ST and Mondeo) are going to really change the course of Ford Australia but they do round out the portfolio well."