Today's Cars Guide article about Ford

[Syndrome]

I normally don't have time for Paul Gover. However his article today is 100% correct. Ford have been wanting to close their Australian operation for the last twenty years as it has never been part of the "One Ford" plan which was launched in the early 1990s.

I remember I had just joined the local auto supplier industry in the early 1990s and can clearly remember the real concern in the industry that there would be no new Falcon model after the EL and then the huge relief when Ford announced the AU program.

The importing of the Taurus in the mid 1990s was a test by Ford to see if they can sell an imported model which was a Falcon sized alternative.

The signs were clearly evident at that time and have been since then. I put the pieces together in about 2007 that Ford Australia was finished so was not surprised in 2013 when the announcement was made to terminate the local production activities.

The only bright period in the last twenty years was when the late Geoff Polities was in charge and was a man who knew the Australia market and the typical Ford buyer. It was during his reign that the Raptor, Barra and Orion programs were approved. The early part of the 00s was a great period for Ford Australia. Once he departed the decline set in.

People have often mentioned on this forum about the lack of advertising of the Falcon product. It is a deliberate ploy by the parent company. However it is backfiring on them as their attempt to undermine the Falcon has tarnished the Ford brand so their imported models which are decent cars are not selling as well as they should.

Ford in Australia has been aligned with Falcon so long that the two were synonymous.
=>If Falcon was regarded as good, Ford was also good.
=>If Falcon was regarded as bad, Ford was also bad.

You reap what you sow.......

http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news...8#.VSdDEZXGOpo