Ford Panther Platform - Discontinuation

Discontinuation

During most of the 2000s, Ford had considered a new global rear wheel drive platform that would serve as a replacement for both the Panther platform and that of the Australian-market Ford Falcon/Territory. In January 2009, Ford announced such efforts were canceled, leaving the Panther platform with no direct replacement. The 2007 Ford Interceptor concept, derived from the Mustang, was speculated to be a Crown Victoria replacement; no formal announcements were ever made regarding its production.

Since the 2007 model year, the full-size retail presence of Ford has shifted from the Panther platform to the smaller Volvo-derived D3 platform; it also serves as a successor to the D186 (Taurus) platform. Since 2008, the sixth-generation Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS have largely superseded the Crown Victoria and Town Car in their respective product lineups. Despite similar interior dimensions, sedans based on the D3 platform are only available with 5-passenger seating. Instead of rear-wheel drive only, the Taurus and MKS are front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive as an option; the transverse engine mounting of the D3 platform precludes the continuation of rear-wheel drive. Since the 2008 model year, the Crown Victoria has been available exclusively through fleet, police, and taxi sales. Although highly dependent on livery fleet sales, the Town Car is still available for retail purchase. Like the now-discontinued Grand Marquis, it has been de-emphasized in Lincoln-Mercury marketing plans in an effort to steer buyers to their updated models.

In 2009, Ford announced that 2011 was to be the final year for the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with a new police-specific vehicle to begin production. In the first quarter of 2010, Ford unveiled its replacement, the 2012 Ford Police Interceptor based on the sixth-generation Taurus. On January 4, 2011, the last Grand Marquis was produced; it also marked the end of the phase-out of the Mercury brand. At the end of August 2011, the Lincoln Town Car (in production since 1981) was discontinued; Ford has developed livery and limousine versions of the Lincoln MKT full-size CUV as a replacement. The St. Thomas Assembly facility closed 15 September 2011.