Falcons with left side indicator stalks.

MISTA FIESTA · 15-10-2008, 10:38 PM

Was at my local dealer today checking out the new LV Focus and was in conversation with the manager of the dealership. He was going on about the global platform of Falcon and the possiblilty of it having the indicator stalk on the left and passenger side bonnet release to give it a euro touch. He also let slip that space savers are on the cards to reduce weight and costs.

Can anyone confirm or deny this??? What next FWD??

:

Auslandau · 15-10-2008, 11:11 PM

I would be VERY surprised if a manager at a dealer would know exactly what is going on with the global platform, especially the finer points of where the stalks are positioned seeing that FORD themselves dont know exactly where they are heading after 2010 with the Falcon..... and if they did would not be sharing with anyone just yet .......

Falcons already have space savers so if he said that ....... theres proof he has no idea!

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XD 351 Ute · 15-10-2008, 11:13 PM

The way I see it, the only thing Falcon about the next generation will be the name.

Ed

marcosambrose · 15-10-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

..the possiblilty of it having the indicator stalk on the left and passenger side bonnet release to give it a euro touch.

Errr right another idiot Ford Dealer, the reason why some european cars are built with the indicator on the left is because they drive on the other side of the road and and the cars are designed like that, but when the conversation occurs to RHD they leave the steering column controls as is.. there is no 'euro feeling' to it, its just the way they are produced, the ergonomic placement is to have the indicator on the door side for the driver.

JamesR · 15-10-2008, 11:19 PM

my escort has the indicator stalk on the left.
worst idea ever.

Smoke Pursuit · 15-10-2008, 11:19 PM

Pffffft...

They would need a left hand drive export program before that happens.

AUXRVIII · 15-10-2008, 11:35 PM

If they can save 5 bucks a car by using a parts bin indicator stalk assy and the focus groups have indicated that LHD indicator stalks make no difference, then Ford would be wise to go that way. IMO it doesn't matter what side the indicators are on, I do drive cars with either on regular occations and never put the wipers on or have to drop my CD's.

winovin · 16-10-2008, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRVIII

If they can save 5 bucks a car by using a parts bin indicator stalk assy and the focus groups have indicated that LHD indicator stalks make no difference, then Ford would be wise to go that way. IMO it doesn't matter what side the indicators are on, I do drive cars with either on regular occations and never put the wipers on or have to drop my CD's.

It does make a difference if you need to indicate whilst changing gears. It makes little difference if you drive an auto and don't use the wrong stalk when driving a car with a different stalk arrangement.

MethodX · 16-10-2008, 02:39 AM

You get used to it rather quickly.

winovin · 16-10-2008, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MethodX

You get used to it rather quickly.

Not when you alternate between 2 cars that have a different stalk arrangement.

LTDterri · 16-10-2008, 08:58 AM

" to give it a Euro feel " !!! Your local dealer is a fool. Another example of why Ford is struggling...The FOOL factor

formerly · 16-10-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winovin

Not when you alternate between 2 cars that have a different stalk arrangement.

I disagree with that, i jump between my Xr8 and my brothers Jeep Wrangler, after the first few drives of the Jeep i havent put the wipers on instead of the indicator, and im not driving it every week. Mind over matter i think, in the Jeep its just 'normal' to go to the left to indicate, and the Falcon the right......

Keepleft · 16-10-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

Was at my local dealer today checking out the new LV Focus and was in conversation with the manager of the dealership. He was going on about the global platform of Falcon and the possiblilty of it having the indicator stalk on the left and passenger side bonnet release to give it a euro touch. He also let slip that space savers are on the cards to reduce weight and costs.

Can anyone confirm or deny this??? What next FWD??

:

If the Falcon goes so, then it'd be aimed at the ME market, possibly EU - but the latter would entail mandatory rear fogs, vest, triangle as part of the vehicle spec.

Interesting observations.

Rodp · 16-10-2008, 01:24 PM

As someone who's owned cars with a LH and RH indicator stalk as well as a current car that has the stalk on the LHS, you get used to it very quickly. It's not that big a deal.

WayneHadfield · 16-10-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodp

As someone who's owned cars with a LH and RH indicator stalk as well as a current car that has the stalk on the LHS, you get used to it very quickly. It's not that big a deal.

Agreed....and I swap from LHD to RHD!

BlackLS · 16-10-2008, 01:31 PM

I actually prefer the indicator on the left. Left hand doing everything, right hand on the wheel the whole time.

Paxton · 16-10-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MethodX

You get used to it rather quickly.

Quoted for truth.

I have never been caught out in my X5, nor have I been in my Falcon. I actually like the X5's arrangement, however different it might be.

I am under the impression that Focus will adapt Australia's arrangement once local production commences. That is, it will have blinkers on the right, and wipers on the left.

RJO89 · 16-10-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winovin

Not when you alternate between 2 cars that have a different stalk arrangement.

Strongly disagree with this. My car has got the indicators on the left, and I drive a BA ute for work 3 times a week, and haven't hit the wrong stalk once since I started driving both cars, about 13 months ago..

XR5-Boy · 16-10-2008, 02:05 PM

I have mine on the left in the Cougar. and never hit the wrong side when i was driving dad's old XR6T. Just a matter of getting used to. And that ford dealer must be smoking something! "euro feel" hahahah. It's all to do with the conversion of LHD to RHD. That's all!

irlewy86 · 16-10-2008, 02:06 PM

Euro feel.... bahahahahahaha

Just jumped out of the F250 and it had a really Euro feeling LH indicator stalk. I can just imagine negotiating inner city London.

sleekism · 16-10-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irlewy86

Euro feel.... bahahahahahaha

Just jumped out of the F250 and it had a really Euro feeling LH indicator stalk. I can just imagine negotiating inner city London.

DanielXR8 · 16-10-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesR

my escort has the indicator stalk on the left.
worst idea ever.

Yeah mine did too. The wheel also tilted in a strange way to the side. So you drove with one arm more extended then the other. Noticed other Escorts did the same.

Thinking back the car had worse faults.

Presumably it was part of Ford Europes plan to give the Japanese brands a leg up, by screwing up even the basics of their cars.

No real fond memories of that car. My TF Cortina with its whopping 2.0 litre four was in another universe as far as engineering and refinement, which in itself is kind of scary.

I still have memories of how awesome my Mazda derived KF Laser was to both of them!

EvilChief · 16-10-2008, 10:02 PM

biggest pain in the with all car where indicator si on otehr side ...

bloody panels beaters at the end of the street always get a good laugh when i up on my test drives in customer cars and indicate with the wiper

Bossxr8 · 16-10-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

Quoted for truth.

I have never been caught out in my X5, nor have I been in my Falcon. I actually like the X5's arrangement, however different it might be.

I am under the impression that Focus will adapt Australia's arrangement once local production commences. That is, it will have blinkers on the right, and wipers on the left.

Word around the forum is Focus production in Australia has been cancelled.

Better get used to a Falcon with a left hand indicator stalk once its a rebadged Taurus.

AUXRVIII · 16-10-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winovin

It does make a difference if you need to indicate whilst changing gears. It makes little difference if you drive an auto and don't use the wrong stalk when driving a car with a different stalk arrangement.

No it doesn't. I drive a lot of different cars in my job and have no trouble at all, indicator always goes on before the gear lever is groped...........