Ford has confirmed that it is working on a new rear-drive vehicle architecture for the U.S., reports Automotive News, citing comments made by Ford executives at a recent dinner.

Although Ford showed two rear-drive concepts last year at the Detroit Auto Show — the Ford Interceptor and Lincoln MKR — both were based on the existing rear-drive Mustang platform, and the company has been largely silent on its plans since.

None of the executives present, including product head Derrick Kuzak and CEO Alan Mullaly, went into detail about the company’s plans, but they did say they would build the vehicles on the new global rear-drive platform currently being developed by its Australian operations.

The platform is reportedly being designed from the ground up to support both left- and right-hand drive. But unlike GM, who is leaving production of its new rear-drive Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet Camaro to its Australian Holden division, Ford is hinting that it will produce the vehicles in the U.S.

Not too long ago, Ford announced that it was cancelling the development of a left-hand drive version of the latest Australian Ford Falcon, which receives a significant update for 2008, so the earliest that this platform is expected to be ready is 2010.

Ford needs the new platform too, and not just because the prehistoric Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Town Car are about to go the way of the dinosaur. Chrysler’s 300 and Charger and GM’s Cadillac revival have proven there’s a market for larger rear-drive vehicles.

Source: MotorTrend.com