Falcon's Beginnings

The Ford Falcon had its origins in a luxury car designed by Edsel Ford in 1935, which eventually became the Mercury when it didn’t fit Ford’s lineup. In the mid-1950s, the “Big Three” automakers in the US (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) realized the need for smaller, more affordable cars due to the rising costs of larger vehicles. Market research indicated that buyers preferred domestic options with lower ownership costs. As a result, all three manufacturers introduced compact cars, including the Ford Falcon, to cater to changing consumer demands. Ford’s General Manager, Robert S. McNamara, sponsored the Falcon project, aiming to create a small car by American standards (considered mid-size elsewhere), keeping costs and weight low while providing seating for six passengers. The success of the Falcon led General Motors to develop their own compact car, the Chevy II, based on similar principles after the slow sales of the rear-engined Corvair.