New Boss for Ford Australia

[g220ba]

It seems Marin Burela's moving to China and being replaced by the current CEO of Ford China.

http://www.speedcafe.com.au/2010/10/...ord-australia/

[Paxton]

Not good. Marin Burela was the best thing to happen to Ford Australia since Geoff Polites. He will be missed in Australia.

[ebxr8240]

Another Boss ....

[DJM83]

Beat me by this much

[dylancox]

Damn, I was expecting this to be about a new Boss motor, not a new manager..

[GS608]

Great, it will all be down hill from here..an Aussie boss was the best thing to happen to Ford Aus since Geoff, I can see all the future plans for Falcon slowly die..he won't understand the importance of the Falcon or the V8 Supercar program and dump them..

[FPV8U]

And we are back on the downward spiral of the rollercoaster that is Ford Aus Management..

[TS50]

I dont see this as good news for Ford Australia
With Marin I think we finally had someone that was pasionate about what Ford was doing here, and not just using it as a stepping stone to go higher in the company

[Fordman1]

This is NOT good news....

Only 2 years, should have been 3 or 4.

Also .... I'm told that FoA will be having a quite a few 'idle days' between now and year end.

These were not planned and are due to high inventory levels.

[Burnout]

Biography for the new Chief (Robert Graziano):

Linky

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

This is NOT good news....

Only 2 years, should have been 3 or 4.

Also .... I'm told that FoA will be having a quite a few 'idle days' between now and year end.

These were not planned and are due to high inventory levels.

Hmm I thought I saw quite a large number of cars parked up at the plant last week. Dealer inventory must be getting quite heavy on the ground.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by TS50

I dont see this as good news for Ford Australia
With Marin I think we finally had someone that was pasionate about what Ford was doing here, and not just using it as a stepping stone to go higher in the company

Has he not just done that

[vztrt]

Not happy, Ford are doing poorly in China (compared to other brands) and now we get their boss. Another Gorman people!

[cheek]

This sucks! Now I wonder how long till the falcon will be made in China with all the contacts this new guys has..

[vztrt]

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...027-173ii.html

New boss for Ford Australia
Toby Hagon
October 27, 2010 - 5:08PM

Ford Australia president is heading to China while incoming boss comes from what is now the world’s largest car market.

Ford Australia president Marin Burela has been seconded to China to head up the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile operations as part of a restructure of the brand’s operations in what is now the world’s largest car market.

He will be replaced on November 1 by former Ford China boss Robert Graziano, who is currently the chairman and CEO of Ford of China.

"I could not have picked a better successor to take over the journey we've started here over the last few years," he said, referring to an imminent influx of new models, various developments in local engineering and manufacturing, and the return of profitability.

Burela hinted his experience in Australia would remain with him with his latest move, although .

"You'll never have a bigger supporter in China and [Asia Pacific and Africa] than the person you're talking to," he said without going into details. "One thing you learn about our business ... you never say never to anything and you never know."

Burela has only been at the Ford Australia helm since September 2008, replacing the shortlived Bill Osborne and raising questions about the stability of management at the car maker.

Burela is adamant the strong global management of Ford - headed by former Boeing boss Alan Mulally - will cement the future of the Australian operations, now involved in developing a small car for China on the back of designing and engineering a ute for more than 180 markets.

Geelong-born Burela has helped bolster the brand’s local manufacturing future, confirming extended production of the ageing six-cylinder engine and various fuel saving technologies, such as an imminent four-cylinder engine for the Falcon and much needed turbo-diesel for the Territory SUV.

He also announced the Focus small car would be produced locally, before reversing the decision to focus on existing products.

Burela has also been working intensively within the new “One Ford” world, which is building cars for the global markets instead of individual markets.

He was involved in the production of the first truly global Ford, the Fiesta, which incoming Ford Australia president also had input in as vehicle line director of Ford’s small cars.

Burela has also been building a case for Ford Australia’s ongoing manufacturing future within a changing automotive landscape.

There has been much speculation about the long term future of the locally produced Falcon, which is designed, built and produced in Australia almost exclusively for Australians.

Ford’s global president Alan Mulally recently hinted the Falcon could continue as a rear-drive large car that would share components with other Fords to be sold in markets around the world.

More recently, visiting Asia-Pacific and Africa boss Joe Hinrichs – who is now the new boss of Ford China - said he was “committed” to the future of the Falcon.

“Bob [Graziano] and Marin [Burela] are excellent leaders who have unique skill-sets well-suited for the future requirements in Australia and at our joint venture in China,” said Hinrichs, saying there were aggressive growth plans for Ford in the region, with 70 per cent of the company’s growth expected from there in the next decade.

“We are proud to foster a culture of continuous improvement that provides opportunities for new and interesting challenges to help our managers grow and develop at every level.”

Burela says 2011 will be "an incredibly busy year for Ford Australia".

"85 per cent of our entire showroom will be new or updated for 2011. You’re going to start to see a very different and changing perspective … more product coming in from different parts of the world. You’re going to start to see some exciting things going on."

Largely due to the massive growth in vehicle sales in China, Ford’s regional sales are expected to grow from 16 million in 2009 to 35 million in 2018.

Burela has only one regret about leaving Australia: "I won't be able to watch the [Geelong] Cats win the next grand final," he said.

[Brent]

Oh dear. Its probably unfair to cast judgment on a guy before he's even taken the role, but if I were to have the luxury of speculation for a moment, I see this as a real danger to Ford Aus.

Local knowledge is critical here for Ford Aus. The Yanks have no idea of our market, and that's been proven in the past. As for this guy, OK he's managed the Chinese operations but I couldn't think of a market that is more poles apart than the Australian one. Labour costs, production techniques, environmental considerations, model designations, design and development mandates...all totally different.

To take a guy from a high volume, lower value, developing world production regime and plug him into a low volume, high cost, niche market situation as per Ford Aus, it'll err, be a challenge unless this dude is very adaptable. That's my 20c.

The revolving door of senior management is what has stuffed many a good Aussie company. They come in on a 3 year contract, wreak havoc, then leave a trail of destruction behind. Very few are true visionaries.

[Brent]

Thanks Burnout. His CV doesn't inspire me. Launched the Mercury Villager minivan hey? Let's break out the party pies and sausage rolls. Nuff said.

Notice his more recent appointments......Brazil, South America, China. All somewhat err (how do I put this nicely)....."challenging" geographies. Read that as a corporate troubleshooter......lean 'em down, shape 'em up and move onto the next one. Hmmm. I'm nervous.

[csv8]

What is FORD Detroit ulterior motive?????

[zagan]

Originally Posted by csv8

What is FORD Detroit ulterior motive?????

Well wipe out all regional models and have 1 chassis that has 50 different models on top of it.

you know
jack of all trades... master of F all.

That pretty much what one ford means really.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by zagan

Well wipe out all regional models and have 1 chassis that has 50 different models on top of it.

you know
jack of all trades... master of F all.

That pretty much what one ford means really.

Tell me which mass market car maker doesn't have a couple of platforms for a whole range of vehicles? VW do it and have done it successfully.

If Ford world wide (don't forget Ford OZ is a pimple on the butt of the Ford global operation) are to survive they need to trim up the company, cut the waste and streamline models. If they don't they'll end up like GM.

Chrysler is doing the same at the moment under the guidance of Fiat and they're up coming models are far better than anything in the past.

Nissan has teamed up with other makes to consolidate the costs of developing platforms. It all comes down to cost, we as consumers want more for less and in such a competative market costs need to be reduced.

I personally am looking forward to seeing the result of One Ford. Too many here are short sighted and cannot see the bigger picture. Ford is on the up and the changes made so far may not impress a few here (no real bad news anyway) but if they can sell a whole lore more cars and make a whole lot more money meaning they stay in business a lot longer, I can't see the problem.

[zagan]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Tell me which mass market car maker doesn't have a couple of platforms for a whole range of vehicles? VW do it and have done it successfully.

If Ford world wide (don't forget Ford OZ is a pimple on the butt of the Ford global operation) are to survive they need to trim up the company, cut the waste and streamline models. If they don't they'll end up like GM.

Chrysler is doing the same at the moment under the guidance of Fiat and they're up coming models are far better than anything in the past.

Nissan has teamed up with other makes to consolidate the costs of developing platforms. It all comes down to cost, we as consumers want more for less and in such a competitive market costs need to be reduced.

I personally am looking forward to seeing the result of One Ford. Too many here are short sighted and cannot see the bigger picture. Ford is on the up and the changes made so far may not impress a few here (no real bad news anyway) but if they can sell a whole lore more cars and make a whole lot more money meaning they stay in business a lot longer, I can't see the problem.

Yes but that's not what I meant exactly.

Say ford have 100 different models with 40 different chassis types under them.

One ford is about dropping 35 of those chassis types to 5 types and then instead of 100 models they would drop to say 30 models all up for the world.

what ones get dropped who knows, in terms of Australia being a small market and all, that could mean all the current Australian only models could be wiped in favour of US and European models by next year.

Australia seems to be the design bed for the one ford chassis types the T6 chassis was designed and developed here yet won't be produced here.

The next chassis type is a small car one that is due to be started before the end of the year also to be designed and developed as well but currently unlikly to be produced here either.


I've been reading around on the net and people in the Australian car media are starting to ask ford if they will keep making the ford ute seeing as the T6/ranger is based and designed on a US F150 pick up truck for the global markets including Australia.

Currently Ford Australia are saying yes but future plans can always change so unknown what will happen.


Also many of fords US cars all all front wheel drive only, the Ford US cop car has failed pretty bad (front wheel drive) against the Holden export cop car (rear wheel drive)

That might not mean much right now here, but it could after next year.

Ford US are wanting more front wheel drive cars than rear wheel drive cars, I think the falcon is the only ford rear wheel drive car bar the mustang.

Money wise Ford was is doing good, it was the only US car maker that didn't need US government bail out money, so currently any money they make now is theirs and don't need to pay back anyone.



Nissan are a bit different back in the 80's and early 90's they made many of their own car designs, how ever since being owned by Renault and the bosses at Renault have put a major stop on that, they allowed the new Skyline to go ahead only because it would be a huge seller in all markets around the world but until then skyline's have never been sold outside of Japan.

All the Skylines you see on the roads around the world, bar the newest one are all imports to that country.


Anyway, I think many people can see the end of the falcon and the ute as you can buy it today.

the next version of the falcon will probably be a V4 front wheel drive car with the upper version being powered by a turboed V4, and no V6 or V8 will exist.

FPV could get wiped as it uses V6 and V8 motors and with no rear wheel chassis existing it'd be pointless keeping it around as it wouldn't be a viable competitor to HSV and Ford US wouldn't see the current FPV models complying with their Ford One project.


While I won't mind having a US pick up and diesel too at that (brilliant for stupid amounts of power) but I don't think many Australian Ford fans will be into that.

I actually think it'd be good to a point in that Ford probably do need to drop some models but I wouldn't be interested in buy Australian ford's that are front wheel drive cars just because some 16 year old can't stop crashing into trees etc in the USA.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by zagan

Yes but that's not what I meant exactly.

Say ford have 100 different models with 40 different chassis types under them.

One ford is about dropping 35 of those chassis types to 5 types and then instead of 100 models they would drop to say 30 models all up for the world.

what ones get dropped who knows, in terms of Australia being a small market and all, that could mean all the current Australian only models could be wiped in favour of US and European models by next year.

Are you certain of your figures for how many platforms and models there will be? Pulling numbers out of no where to prove a point really isn't doing your argument any justice.

If they do cut it down like you say to 5 platforms and 30 models, that is still a fair chunk of range. Of the top of my head, Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, Mustang, Falcon, Fseries, Taurus, Fusion and these are just the main models, don't forget all the others that can be spawned from them, i.e. from the Falcon platform (if it shares the mustang) the ute.

However what i have stated is just speculation and I would rather wait for an official announcement.

Australia seems to be the design bed for the one ford chassis types the T6 chassis was designed and developed here yet won't be produced here.

The next chassis type is a small car one that is due to be started before the end of the year also to be designed and developed as well but currently unlikly to be produced here either.

It is far too expensive to produce cars here which would also need a factory upgrade. There is nothing wrong with being a design and development office. If engineering is our forte then so be it.

Which small platform are you referring to? Have you got any documented sources?

I've been reading around on the net and people in the Australian car media are starting to ask ford if they will keep making the ford ute seeing as the T6/ranger is based and designed on a US F150 pick up truck for the global markets including Australia.

Currently Ford Australia are saying yes but future plans can always change so unknown what will happen.

and you really expect Ford to spill the beans on their future developments?
The Ranger is sold here alongside the ute.
The ute's future is based on the Falcon, if the Falcon remains then ute has a better chance. Simply put if the sales aren't there then why keep pouring millions of $$ they don't have into it?

Also many of fords US cars all all front wheel drive only, the Ford US cop car has failed pretty bad (front wheel drive) against the Holden export cop car (rear wheel drive)

That might not mean much right now here, but it could after next year.

Ford US are wanting more front wheel drive cars than rear wheel drive cars, I think the falcon is the only ford rear wheel drive car bar the mustang.

Ummm no it didn't fail. They couldn't get an Interceptor spec Taurus so they used the current Crown Vic. A RWD vehicle.

FWD is a cost saving. Most consumers who buy them (hot hatches excepted) don't care which wheels are the driving force, they just want reliable transport. Just ask BMW who will be moving to a FWD platform for the next 1 series. Their customers didn't know it was RWD or cared.

Money wise Ford was is doing good, it was the only US car maker that didn't need US government bail out money, so currently any money they make now is theirs and don't need to pay back anyone.

Wrong in all areas. Before the GFC hit they mortgaged everything they owned, even the Ford logo. They used this money to fund their restructure. They still owe somewhere in the region of $20B. Yes they are in better shape but not out of the woods yet. However the One Ford restructure plan is certainly taking shape and working.

Nissan are a bit different back in the 80's and early 90's they made many of their own car designs, how ever since being owned by Renault and the bosses at Renault have put a major stop on that, they allowed the new Skyline to go ahead only because it would be a huge seller in all markets around the world but until then skyline's have never been sold outside of Japan.

All the Skylines you see on the roads around the world, bar the newest one are all imports to that country.

Not what i was talking about. Had nothing to do with their past (they were pretty much bankrupt until the Renault take over), I was indicating their desire to move into new markets now and instead of funding a new platform, they have co designed it with other makes. Ford did the same with the C1 platform (Focus), they co designed and funded it with Volvo and Mazda.

Anyway, I think many people can see the end of the falcon and the ute as you can buy it today.

the next version of the falcon will probably be a V4 front wheel drive car with the upper version being powered by a turboed V4, and no V6 or V8 will exist.

Nothing is certain.
V4? V6? Do you even know what Ford have?

FPV could get wiped as it uses V6 and V8 motors and with no rear wheel chassis existing it'd be pointless keeping it around as it wouldn't be a viable competitor to HSV and Ford US wouldn't see the current FPV models complying with their Ford One project.

Credibility lost totally in that last statement. Where is the V6? A new engine?

While I won't mind having a US pick up and diesel too at that (brilliant for stupid amounts of power) but I don't think many Australian Ford fans will be into that.

I actually think it'd be good to a point in that Ford probably do need to drop some models but I wouldn't be interested in buy Australian ford's that are front wheel drive cars just because some 16 year old can't stop crashing into trees etc in the USA.

Ford fans count for a small portion of the market. If they were the majority of the market there wouldn't be an issue.

Your last statement is silly beyond anything. FWD cars were not brought in to stop 16 year olds from hitting trees, you can hit a tree in anything.
I think you should spend some time researching the car industry, start with Ford motor company and their current line up. Know the products before trying (yet failing) to analyse what people want.

[HSE2]

i feel ill

[uranium_death]

Ford Australia needs ONE person to commit for years...not a little toe in the water for a short while before departing.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

Ford Australia needs ONE person to commit for years...not a little toe in the water for a short while before departing.

Agree, but good luck there mate. Standard term now is 3 year contract at best for CEO roles in major corporations. Usually just sufficient time to spend 18 months blaming the last guy, then the next 18 months further buggering the whole show up yourself, prior to moving onto some other poor unsuspecting corporation after collecting your golden handshake..............

[Whitey-AMG]

As the old chinese proverb says :

"may you live in interesting times"

Strap yourselves in !!!!!!

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

Ford Australia needs ONE person to commit for years...not a little toe in the water for a short while before departing.

Ford move people around all the time. Mind you moving a person for the sake of it isn't good. I bet Marin is going to China to fix up the mess over there. So much potential for Ford (Ford Australia Design) especially.

[Brazen]

Highlights of tenure:

$29,990 Falcons XR6s,
cancellation of wagon,
cancellation of RTV,
cancellation of local Focus,
cancellation of global V6,
no pursuit of exports,
Falcon being outsold by Cruze.
Falcons being mass-registered monthly as demos to increase sales,
Crap "Ford of course" marketing campaign,
Woeful and gutless handling of Territory ball-joint problem.


To be fair, its not one persons decisions. Probably still one of the best people they have had in getting things done and done well. I doubt anyone could of done a better job under the circumstances. Its a shame an Aussie isnt at the head as they probably 'get' the market a lot more. It certainly sounds like a promotion as China is VERY important for Ford.

Probably a good time to leave as all the exciting stuff is done with EcoBoost, LPG and diesel Territory. Probably wanted the next challenge.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Highlights of tenure:

cancellation of RTV,

Ummmm.... No..

There was no FG RTV ... well before Burela.

Nice edit by the way That last paragraph wasn't there a minute ago.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

Nice edit by the way That last paragraph wasn't there a minute ago.

Yeah I thought I was being a bit rough, probably a good guy who has done good things at Ford (we all know what they are) and I was just bitchin about some things I disagreed with.