Ford to make announcement about Broady production

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by csv8

Is 90 a day viable ? cost productive ? is the FH going to recoup development costs ???
I hope the FH sees the light of day..but I doubt it. if this keeps going....

Id say they plan on ramping production back up for FH / SZII.

Time will tell!

[Mercury 8]

Originally Posted by SpinX8

Mate - thats really uncalled for - the PR job is a tough gig, and with the announcements Sinead had to deliver during her tenure, she and her PR team have done their best to at least be respectful, open and transparent as best they can balancing the Ford businesses needs and the employees and fans the news has effected.

If you want to critique bad PR then focus your attention on Holden with the 'We're Here to Stay' PR spin. At least Ford spared everyone involved from that embarrassment.

Today is a sad day, but lets keep it friendly and respectful here, and have the guns pointing out not inwards.

The PR job is a tough gig no doubt,, not sure you get what I am on about though.I'm not talking about the. Last couple of years only,there were so many missed opportunities to put some good spin out there that were missed it is not funny.
Each to there own,that is my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with it.

[PepeLePew]

And just a quick reminder on the story behind Sinead announced some months ago, and a welcome to Cheryl :

Ford Australia is today announcing changes to the leadership of the Ford Australia Communications team, effective January 2014.

Sinead Phipps is promoted to the position of Product Communications Director for Asia Pacific, based in Shanghai. In her new role, Sinead will lead Ford’s communications strategy, plans and programs for all products across the Asia Pacific markets. She will report directly to Karen Hampton Vice President of Communications Asia Pacific.

Concurrent with Sinead’s move, Wesley (Wes) Sherwood is appointed Communications Director for Ford Australia, reporting to President & CEO Bob Graziano. Wes will move to Australia from North America early in 2014.

In his new role, Wes will lead Ford’s communications strategy, plans and programs for all aspects of the Australian business. Currently, Wes holds the position of Global Quality Communications Manager. Prior to this role, Wes has held a number of different positions with Ford’s North America based Communications team, including responsibility for Ford Racing Communications in the late 1990s, as well as managing the media launches for the 2005 Ford GT and 2005 Mustang.

Reporting to Wes will be Brand Communications Manager Neil McDonald, Brand Communications Associate Martin Gunsberg, CSR & Communications Associate Cheryl McKenzie and Vehicle Coordinator Eddy Sleiman.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Id say they plan on ramping production back up for FH / SZII.

Time will tell!

I hope so !!! there is a Ford FB page, hints at 500 special edition model for April??? Have you heard about this ??

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Mercury 8

The PR job is a tough gig no doubt,, not sure you get what I am on about though.I'm not talking about the. Last couple of years only,there were so many missed opportunities to put some good spin out there that were missed it is not funny.
Each to there own,that is my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with it.

I understand what you're trying to say but I think you need to have a better tact when delivering your message.

That's not to say I agree nor disagree with what you're trying to get across.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Id say they plan on ramping production back up for FH / SZII.

No they don't. They are already waving the white flag. I think we will be lucky if the FH lasts any more than 6 months.

If anyone is planning to wait till 2016 to buy one of the last Falcons you are going to miss the boat.

All I have got out of them is that they are committed to launch the new Falcon, but beyond that will entirely be up to demand, and with demand dropping by the month, it's just a matter of time after it's release that they will pull the pin, otherwise the losses will just be too extreme.

October 2016 is just a fantasy.

[ryeman]

As has been 'admitted' there are no guarantees going forward.
It seems we are being softened up for an early exit.
To sales staff, best of luck with the new Falcon, outside of the rusted on, who's going to throw their money away on an ancient platform......NOT including the Terri which IS relevant.

[Adamz Ghia]

Got to say I don't understand where the surprise is coming from. They said from the start they would continue to right size the business to demand.

And with a new model out soon, I think they expected these sorts of figures...

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by ryeman

As has been 'admitted' there are no guarantees going forward.
It seems we are being softened up for an early exit.
To sales staff, best of luck with the new Falcon, outside of the rusted on, who's going to throw their money away on an ancient platform......NOT including the Terri which IS relevant.

Falcon is hardly ancient, 2008 was only 6 years ago, what does that make you then lol...? Territory is 2004...!

[Thunder]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

No they don't. They are already waving the white flag. I think we will be lucky if the FH lasts any more than 6 months.

If anyone is planning to wait till 2016 to buy one of the last Falcons you are going to miss the boat.

All I have got out of them is that they are committed to launch the new Falcon, but beyond that will entirely be up to demand, and with demand dropping by the month, it's just a matter of time after it's release that they will pull the pin, otherwise the losses will just be too extreme.

October 2016 is just a fantasy.

But do you have faith that FH WILL go into production and hit the showroom floors just as planned/developed/strategised/engineered/designed etc?

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

Falcon is hardly ancient, 2008 was only 6 years ago, what does that make you then lol...? Territory is 2004...!

Falcon platform dates back to BA doesn't it? Even further back possible to AU?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Thunder

But do you have faith that FH WILL go into production and hit the showroom floors just as planned/developed/strategised/engineered/designed etc?

Yes I do, the money has already been spent, and the government money that was put into it must ensure it goes into production or the government will ask for the money back. It was a commitment to build it, but for how long, who knows.

Or do you mean they will de-content it before it goes into production?

[Road_Warrior]

There is nothing inherently wrong with having an automotive platform that is 5, 10 or even 20 years old, as long as it can grow, evolve and meet the needs of the company making the car, then fine. Attempting to point score over the perceived age of a “platform” is, well, pointless.

In that regard I’d point all of you to the fact that the Falcon is a platform in itself, is in a constant state of evolution, flexible enough to support I6, V8 and I4 engines and an AWD SUV. I’d say that is pretty bloody extraordinary actually.

[Polyal]

I dont think they are to concerned about recovering costs now guys, that doesnt mean they will pi$$ it into the wind but whether they lose 10-20M (whatever) here or there matters little now. The costs saved by closing manufacturing will make up for it in the long run and Ford globally is making enough for it to just be a blip on the bottom line for AP.

The FH will come, they are just doing what they have to now..no point having blokes twiddling their thumbs.

[anto]

surely they can adjust pricing down on current models to make them more competitive with the newer releases of other makes ? kinda of what they are doing with the FPV's, it might reignite some interest

[ryeman]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

Falcon is hardly ancient, 2008 was only 6 years ago, what does that make you then lol...? Territory is 2004...!

Large BMWs Mercs Jags and Audis as prestige cars will probably survive as a format but the locals were history quite a while ago....the sales figures tell the story. It's now a matter of spot the non SUV.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by csv8

I hope so !!! there is a Ford FB page, hints at 500 special edition model for April??? Have you heard about this ??

Fpvs yes.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Mercury 8

One good thing I see in this story is that Sinead is no longer doing the public affairs stuff.

She has been promoted to a Ford position in Shanghai. Make of that what you will.

Personally I didn't think she was doing a good job years ago.

I don't blame her exclusively as the culture at Ford Australia is rotten and has been for years. Which has helped contribute to the situation they have put their workers in now.

[Itsme]

On the News tonight Ford starting to cut jobs from June this year.
Workers fear Ford might stop making cars in Australia sooner than its late-2016 deadline, with the company winding back production amid a sales downturn.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/...s-announcement

[ryeman]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

She has been promoted to a Ford position in Shanghai. Make of that what you will.

Personally I didn't think she was doing a good job years ago.

I don't blame her exclusively the culture at Ford Australia is rotten and has been for years. Which has helped contribute to the situaion they have put their workers in now.

.........

I wouldn't want to work as a senior exec for Ford Oz with Detroit demonstrating a complete lack of interest in the struggling arm here.

[brismike]

Originally Posted by anto

surely they can adjust pricing down on current models to make them more competitive with the newer releases of other makes ? kinda of what they are doing with the FPV's, it might reignite some interest

Agree . . Just imagine what it would do if Ford dropped the price of a NA XR6 to $26000 driveaway!

Toyota & Holden would ****** themselves lol.

[Professor Farnsworth]

they're not far off that already if you get the bargain stick out

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

No they don't. They are already waving the white flag. I think we will be lucky if the FH lasts any more than 6 months.

If anyone is planning to wait till 2016 to buy one of the last Falcons you are going to miss the boat.

All I have got out of them is that they are committed to launch the new Falcon, but beyond that will entirely be up to demand, and with demand dropping by the month, it's just a matter of time after it's release that they will pull the pin, otherwise the losses will just be too extreme.

October 2016 is just a fantasy.

Ford have certainly left the door open to change the end of production date. Quote below:

"Our intent is to produce through October 2016 and we will constantly monitor our operations and if there are any major disruptions we would look and have to perhaps re-evaluate that plan."


http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/...s-announcement

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by ryeman

.........

I wouldn't want to work as a senior exec for Ford Oz with Detroit demonstrating a complete lack of interest in the struggling arm here.

I can certainly agree with that, but her lack of any understanding of the changing climate in Australia when it came to brand perception, the real impact of social media and what it could do for the brand, both positive and negative was always dumbfounding to me. Ford was very poorly managed in that respect for years in this country.

Ex Ford Australia boss Jac Nasser and FPV boss David Flint, both had a much better understanding of what community relations and marketing was about - and that wasn't exclusively their job like Sineads.

Anyway shes left and they've got a yank now to do the dirty work of seeing Fords Falcon out to pasture. A tough job for anyone.

[jpd80]

Remember that 90/day with one or two down days a month is only bout 1700 or 1800 a month.....

This is gonna get ugly.

[Windsor220]

900 of both Falcon and Territory each is about all you could expect at this stage

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by csv8

Is 90 a day viable ? cost productive ? is the FH going to recoup development costs ???
I hope the FH sees the light of day..but I doubt it. if this keeps going....

Considering some money came from state and fed governments plus Ford US ensuring production stayed until 2016 that probably isn't a major heartache.

[wulos]

Originally Posted by Mercury 8

One good thing I see in this story is that Sinead is no longer doing the public affairs stuff.

For what it's worth I would like to publicly THANK Sinead for her efforts. I personally think that PR for FoA over the past few years would have been a VERY tough gig for ANYONE to have to deal with. (What is it they say about shooting the messenger?)
I'll be the first to admit, my blood runs blue, and at times, I've found it hard to stay true to my roots, and put a positive face forward for the world to see.

THANK YOU SINEAD!!!!

[Bossxr8]

It doesn't ensure production stays until 2016 though, it was just a date they could no longer build past (October 2016).

They can pull the pin any time after the FH release.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Falcon platform dates back to BA doesn't it? Even further back possible to AU?

FG is/was 80% or something all new...only a few bits were carried over.