List of Ford of Australia Presidents since 1925

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Yes, the diesel Territory was cancelled under his watch. Geoff Polites was quoted before his passing that he was furious over that decision.

Apparently on returning to Australia for a funeral things got a little heated at the wake where the diesel Terry cancellation was brought up.

I have to confess to something, there was one month in 2003 when BA overtook the Commodore for sales and I was driving in Brighton and stopped at the intersection with Nepean Highway. I suddenly noticed to my right the passenger sitting in lhs front seat of a Caprice was none other than Peter Hanenberger, Holden's Chair and MD....I reached across the seat and grabbed a newspaper article I had just read with pride.. and held it up against my window so he could see the headline....I think he retired at the end of that year as well.
Then that weekend my golden retriever almost tripped up a man jogging along the beach...it was GP...how's that for a double...

https://www.theage.com.au/national/f...04-gdwh1u.html

Falcon outsells Commodore
October 4, 2003 — 12.54am


A year after its launch, Ford's BA Falcon has knocked the Holden Commodore off its perch.

According to the official sales figures for September, the Falcon finally outsold its Holden rival.

The result ended the Commodore's reign of more than 70 straight months as Australia's top selling car.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said Ford sold 7,409 Falcons last month, just 48 more than the 7,361 Commodore's retailed by Holden.

However, on a year-to-date-basis, the Commodore was still clearly ahead, 64,906 compared to 55,489.

Ford President Geoff Polites said it was the best Falcon result since March, 1996 and a 100 per cent improvement on Falcon sales from September, 2002.

"One year after launch, the BA Falcon was September's biggest selling car in Australia," Mr Polites said.

"That excellent result is validation of the hard work by everyone at Ford to deliver a car the Australian market wanted."

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Geoff Polites on the other hand made the Falcon desirable again. If BA didn't fire the way it did, I doubt that FG would have happened. Geoff gave the Ford faithful what they wanted, be that the power, be that styling, be that wild colours, be that success on the racetrack again. He made sure that the Falcon was a car that people wanted and could be proud they owned.

Geoff was the right man for the job after the AU debacle. He knew the customer and knew the product they wanted. After he was moved it was all downhill for the Falcon.

[Bossxr8]

Kay Hart has just been appointed president of international market group, of which ford australia reports to / falls under. Her previous experience in australia/nz and alliances with thailand etc will be valuable in this role.

[barra240t]

Was reading an old Wheels mag and saw this article of, who I think, is a true Ford Australia hero and legend. Some may find it interesting looking back- was published 2001.