A new trademark filing is spurring theories as to what car could – or should – wear the Falcon nameplate.
New evidence has emerged suggesting the Ford Falcon name could eventually be resurrected, but not necessarily as a model Australian buyers would recognise – or be able to buy in local showrooms.
In May, Ford submitted a trademark application for the Falcon name in Mexico, according to website Ford Authority – and it could be earmarked for a future electric model.
While the company could merely be protecting the name from being poached by competitors, in September 2021, sources “familiar with the [car-maker’s] product plans” told the US publication Ford would be focusing on “icons and commercial vehicles” as part of its electric-vehicle plans.
The Blue Oval has also trademarked other iconic names in recent times, including the Model T, Capri, Cortina, and Escort.
It’s not clear at this stage whether the Falcon name is being reserved as part of its future electric-car portfolio, or if the company is simply looking into its past to name a petrol-powered sedan.
Born from a North American model, the Ford Falcon was quickly adopted by the Australian market, with production lasting from 1960 to 2016 – and being one half of a fierce decades-long rivalry with the Holden Commodore.
While production of the Falcon ended in 2016, the name of its SUV off-shoot, the Territory, continues to be used on an SUV model – built in China and exported to Mexico.
The US car giant hasn’t confirmed what model the Falcon nameplate could be used on, but it’s possible the badge could be applied to a sedan sold in China as the Mondeo and in the UAE as the Taurus – potentially joining the Territory in the Mexican market.
Ford also uses the Escort name on a small sedan built in China, and in recent years resurrected the Bronco name for a new line of off-road SUVs designed to compete with the Jeep Wrangler in North America.
What do you think? Should the Falcon name be retired, or should it live on?
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