Major Ford announcement - Page 18

Trump · 23-05-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

The end of an era for Australia. This will also end GMH too.

While there won't be any local manufacturing from 2016 on, nothing can change the legacy that Ford leaves behind. I've only ever owned Australian Fords and I doubt that will change. I'll just keep mine running forever.

I think a lot of the forum membership will be doing the same thing (myself included).

gsd112 · 23-05-2013, 04:23 PM

on second thoughts i wouldnt buy a SRT8, post 2016 i will buy a australian made holden as this will atleast keep them going and maybe if alot do it may increase jobs there.

Perko · 23-05-2013, 04:25 PM

Like everyone here I am totally shattered by the news. An icon has died today and we can't get it back. We have watched it die a slow death over the years and I do not think it would be fair to lay the blame on any one party because in reality all have been to blame. The government needed to protect the car industry and the businesses that support them. Not only through tariffs but also purchasing these vehicles. Ford needed to be smarter with how it marketed the vehicle and the variants offered. For how long have we seen marketing fail and hide a great product. Ford HQ knows we make a great RWD product but failed in their pride to expand the portfolio to ensure that we could develop the base for future RWD vehicles. This could have ensure future manufacturing here. The media once again proved that like Mitsubishi before them that they love a good story and continued to hammer Ford at any turn. The same WILL happen to Holden so don't kid yourself. And yes even to us, we just didn't buy enough vehicles.Whether it be personal or fleet the sales were not there. For me I won't buy the current Falcon or Territory because they are not what I want in a car. The new Territory was not enough of a change from the old model. New front sheet metal and a few trims inside but not enough to make me feel like a new model. For the Falcon I want an XR8. Yes they do not make them but that is the vehicle for me and not the GS. The FG was not the step I wanted after the BF so I stayed with that.

But do I feel bitter, or are Ford dead to me. Well......no. That would be stupid. The brand and our loyalty must continue. They have made a BUSINESS decision. It's a decision that we don't have to like but they had to make a hard call. So give them credit and respect to shut it down before it became too bad. So here's the thing Ford. You finish with a brilliant car as your last hurrah and I'll make some promises right here and now. Yes I will buy a new Falcon in 2016. Yes I will start saving today. Yes it will be a V8. Yes it will take pride of place in my driveway. Yes I am today and for ever will be a blue oval man. I love my Fords and my Falcons. It's as simple as that.

TheSneakiness · 23-05-2013, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsd112

on second thoughts i wouldnt buy a SRT8, post 2016 i will buy a australian made holden as this will atleast keep them going and maybe if alot do it may increase jobs there.

My train of thought at the moment...

**EASYBOSS** · 23-05-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PridenJoy

No, you steady on. You have no idea how long I have been around here, don't let the join date fool you.

I am steady, so just how long have you been around, are you saying the stats are wrong, or have you come back under a different user name.

Please explain your comment, and no offence meant, I just dont get what you are saying.

Gobes32 · 23-05-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teak81

Pull out the old tooling and build some xa-xc coupes and sedans.

They were melted down years and years ago. Probably early 90's.

ryeman · 23-05-2013, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

I think a lot of the forum membership will be doing the same thing (myself included).

BUT Holden have confirmed the 2017 VJ Commodore series!
Or are they reconsidering?

Trump · 23-05-2013, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeman

BUT Holden have confirmed the 2017 VJ Commodore series!
Or are they reconsidering?

I am yet to see any confirmation about this.

BlueOvalPrint · 23-05-2013, 04:39 PM

Well, at least the good old i6 gets to stick around and end with the last Falcon. What a great powerplant it's been, a design that can hold up for nearly 1 million K's in a NA LPG taxi while the turbo version still blows most mainstream V8s into the weeds. Love it!!!

Gobes32 · 23-05-2013, 04:41 PM

Absolutely shocked this morning with the decision. Everyone says they saw it coming, but maybe I was in denial. First and foremost, we love working for Ford, we love making Falcons and Territories. 100% I guarantee you quality will not drop. As a stamping plant operator, I get a kick out of making the "bulge" hood outers, knowing it will score a miami under it. I am not sad about Ford closing, I am sad that I will no longer get to work for the company. You could not ask for a better employer. I have so much passion for Ford in Australia it feels like a family member has passed away.

KR1STO · 23-05-2013, 04:42 PM

Very sad day indeed..!

BroadyFord · 23-05-2013, 04:42 PM

Another thing - Ford have said they are keeping their product development/engineering team.

So is there really any reason why they need to stay in Broadmeadows? I'm guessing they wouldn't need a heap of land (or the plant buildings) and most workers there are professional, artsy-fartsy-type people who probably don't live in the area.

So maybe Ford will join the other 2 carmakers in Port Melbourne?!

Kable72 · 23-05-2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeman

BUT Holden have confirmed the 2017 VJ Commodore series!
Or are they reconsidering?

I heard it was going to be a mid-large size sedan based off the cruise.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 23-05-2013, 04:44 PM

this is early days, no one knows what they have planned.

Trump · 23-05-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadyFord

Another thing - Ford have said they are keeping their product development/engineering team.

So is there really any reason why they need to stay in Broadmeadows? I'm guessing they wouldn't need a heap of land (or the plant buildings) and most workers there are professional, artsy-fartsy-type people who probably don't live in the area.

So maybe Ford will join the other 2 carmakers in Port Melbourne?!

Not with Govco having earmarked the whole Fishermans Bend site as residential...

GT-spec15 · 23-05-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Absolutely shocked this morning with the decision. Everyone says they saw it coming, but maybe I was in denial. First and foremost, we love working for Ford, we love making Falcons and Territories. 100% I guarantee you quality will not drop. As a stamping plant operator, I get a kick out of making the "bulge" hood outers, knowing it will score a miami under it. I am not sad about Ford closing, I am sad that I will no longer get to work for the company. You could not ask for a better employer. I have so much passion for Ford in Australia it feels like a family member has passed away.

Good luck mate.

I spent a lot of time in stamping plants growing up. Love it.

Kable72 · 23-05-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Absolutely shocked this morning with the decision. Everyone says they saw it coming, but maybe I was in denial. First and foremost, we love working for Ford, we love making Falcons and Territories. 100% I guarantee you quality will not drop. As a stamping plant operator, I get a kick out of making the "bulge" hood outers, knowing it will score a miami under it. I am not sad about Ford closing, I am sad that I will no longer get to work for the company. You could not ask for a better employer. I have so much passion for Ford in Australia it feels like a family member has passed away.

I have so much respect for people like you. Knowing that after 3 years you're going to be out of a job but you will go in on Monday morning with a smile on your face and your lunch in your bag to do a smashing job on our beloved car.

chris01 · 23-05-2013, 05:05 PM

And yet Toyota have confirmed that they will continue in Australia and have increased their workforce this year - this is the real kick in the guts, Toyota can do it but Ford can't...Henry Ford must be rolling over in his grave...

KurtisEBear · 23-05-2013, 05:06 PM

While its disappointing news ill be waiting for 2016 to see if they backflip and continue production here, one thing that might be the Falcons saving grace will be the Chevy SS, if it sells well ford US may want a v8 rwd sedan to take it on and export it here

Olbucko · 23-05-2013, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty76

Could the government save Ford Australia now....The yanks saved Ford USA years back why cant our government!!

Unlike GM and Chrysler the yanks did not save Ford, Ford saved them selves. They did not borrow the govt. money that was offered, they sold some of their assets instead.

GT-spec15 · 23-05-2013, 05:09 PM

Would be great to see, but I don't see how when Ford will already be putting steps in place in preparation for the 2016 closures. You can't just change your mind with no new car under development.

But hey who knows...anything can happen.

Mighty Reds · 23-05-2013, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris01

And yet Toyota have confirmed that they will continue in Australia and have increased their workforce this year - this is the real kick in the guts, Toyota can do it but Ford can't...Henry Ford must be rolling over in his grave...

Toyota have a little bit more money than Ford does, can afford to run a operation making less money.
Not to mention they generally sell quite a few cars in Australia.

Brazen · 23-05-2013, 05:10 PM

3 long years away, anything can happen I hope.

white lightning · 23-05-2013, 05:10 PM

The Aussie FORD is dead.......................long live the Aussie FORD :-)

Brazen · 23-05-2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty Reds

Toyota have a little bit more money than Ford does, can afford to run a operation making less money.
Not to mention they generally sell quite a few cars in Australia.

Toyota runs global platforms which helps.

Gobes32 · 23-05-2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kable72

I have so much respect for people like you. Knowing that after 3 years you're going to be out of a job but you will go in on Monday morning with a smile on your face and your lunch in your bag to do a smashing job on our beloved car.

How many people can put their hand up and say their employer has insisted on staying open another three and a half years before they shut down? I will do my best to upskill myself with the support of my employer. I am not unfortunate, I am actually very lucky.

Bossxr8 · 23-05-2013, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

3 long years away, anything can happen I hope.

But if they are not developing anything new, and the engines are no longer emissions compliant then how can that happen.

We need to face facts, its going and won't come back, as much as we want it to.

We were told they will need the sales and marketing teams to put forward the message that parts and service for Falcon and Territory will continue to be available for the future, as per legal requirements. We all scoffed because these bunch of fools are part of the reason we are in this mess in the first place, because they did such a pathetic job of selling and marketing to the masses.

SEZ213 · 23-05-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Absolutely shocked this morning with the decision. Everyone says they saw it coming, but maybe I was in denial. First and foremost, we love working for Ford, we love making Falcons and Territories. 100% I guarantee you quality will not drop. As a stamping plant operator, I get a kick out of making the "bulge" hood outers, knowing it will score a miami under it. I am not sad about Ford closing, I am sad that I will no longer get to work for the company. You could not ask for a better employer. I have so much passion for Ford in Australia it feels like a family member has passed away.

This (among other posts), has brought a tear to my eye. :(

I'm really quite sad that it has come to this, but not entirely surprised by the announcement. Those who say 'it's not good enough', 'try harder', I say, it would seem that they've tried as hard as they could to ensure that we've had play toys and A to B drivers...

It's a sad day for motoring, and a sad day for Australia.

I really feel for all of those who work at the Broady and Geelong.

Gadgetman · 23-05-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white lightning

The Aussie FORD is dead.......................long live the Aussie FORD :-)

Not dead yet. Its on life support. And everyone who feels sorry without driving one before times up hasn't paid visit before flatline.

Gobes32 · 23-05-2013, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Toyota runs global platforms which helps.

Correct, Camry is made in multiple countries. It helps amalgamate the costs. Remember, the Japanese pioneered modern manufacturing as we know it.