Major Ford announcement

[GT0090]

Wulos, I'm sad today & I have to disagree with you: it will change the way people FEEL about Ford:
I'm a supplier to Ford, I still have my dad's XB Hardtop and I still lament the day I had to sell my BF GT . . . but all this came from the seed of Ford manufacturing in Australia and close to my home town !
The impact on the Victorian economy will be huge (people just don't realize the flow-on).
I don't blame Ford, though I wish they pushed the button to manufacture the Focus here and you can't expect to make profits unless you invest in new manufacturing technology.

Ford is part of me . . . but don't ask me to have the passion for an import ! it may as well be a KIA

[mik]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Holden is hanging in there for a few years at least. Toyota have also announced they have no plans to stop local production:

http://www.caradvice.com.au/232498/h...-announcement/

perhaps, but i`m told there is a very uneasy feeling at the holden plant at this time and who could blame them, as for toyota, having carted parts for the big 3 over the years and my experience with them i don`t think the bean counters at toyota would stay the course for as long as ford have, ie with 600 million loss, they would be packing bags for japan long before that, it will be interesting to see what our pollies do in the next year(if anything).

[GTP-RPD]

7.30 show tonight on channel 2. Graziano stated and I quote, "Falcon name will be retired".

He was also very aware of cheaper maufacturing costs in Asia.

Australia's new Fords proudly made in Thailand.

Thank you very much. The shareholders will be pleased.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by GTP-RPD

7.30 show tonight on channel 2. Graziano stated and I quote, "Falcon name will be retired".

He was also very aware of cheaper maufacturing costs in Asia.

Australia's new Fords proudly made in Thailand.

Thank you very much. The shareholders will be pleased.

If you notice he said the biggest driver of cost was scale, he kept reiterating that Ford Au just didnt have enough scale. They desperately needed volume to drive down costs.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by BroadyFord

Graziano confirms ford AU cost structure "double that of Europe".

Shoots down the myth of cheaper wages than Europe/Canada etc people on this forum have been banging on about.

Yes but he said tonight on channel 2 7:30 that the assumption was based on "scale" something I have been saying for a long time. The less cars you build the dearer each car costs, especially from a labour perspective. He went on to say our labour costs are consistent between Europe and Australia but less so in Asia.

[Smoke Pursuit]

I am very concerned about where this will end. I feel Ford should have waited another 18 months before making this public. Falcon and Territory have just lost credibility, especially from a fleet perspective. What's a 2014 FG going to be worth in 2017 when Ford is selling left over FH's for pocket money. Sales could really take a big hit over the next 6 months.

[MethodX]

So the Falcon name lasted untill 1971 in America.
1990 in Argentina
2016 in Aus.

Good run really. A lot of history.

[Trump]

The resale of anything Falcon took a massive hit today.

[Johndec]

Oh dear.. As sad as I am about today's announcement, I think the last 22 pages have covered most of the sadness, shock, recriminations, finger pointing, etc, so how about some reminiscing about the role the mighty Falcon has played in your life?

For me, I learnt to drive in a green 74 XB (with the obligatory beige vinyl roof). 250 cubes of raw power with a column shift auto and bench seats. The bench seats came in handy as I also got my first **** in that car! There has also been an XD, an XF ute that got me reliably around for years and even an EL fairmont ghia (great car). All were great cars that never let me down.

Which leads me to my current Falcons (yes plural). I've got an XR16, well actually 2 x XR8's. A Series 3 AU XR8 with all the fruit. Leather seats, Momo pack, sunroof, etc. I've toyed with moving it on but after todays announcement, it ain't going anywhere! I've also got an FG XR8 ute which when it goes, it will be staying in the family as my eldest son has made me promise him first dibs on it.

So lets make this more of a wake and less of a funeral....

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

The resale of anything Falcon took a massive hit today.

Not my XC Coupe

[wulos]

Originally Posted by GT0090

Wulos, I'm sad today & I have to disagree with you: it will change the way people FEEL about Ford:

Ford is part of me . . . but don't ask me to have the passion for an import ! it may as well be a KIA

It may change the way some people feel. I will not be one of them though. At the end of the day, the only person that can change my thoughts, or my perceptions is me.

To the same, I would never ask someone to change their own passions. It is afterall who we are, & what MAKES us who we are.

I've seen more than my fair share of ups & downs, of good years, and bad. Been around the block long enough to know that if you hold the steering wheel long enough, sooner or later the traffic & potholes disappear, & a nice drive awaits, around the corner, just a few k's down the road. It will never be quite the same as the one you remembered driving on yesterday, but it will still be memorable none the less.

[Lotte]

I dunno if I read it here, or somewhere else, but someone had the idea of having a massive cruise out to broady and geelong on their final day of production (yep, way in the future, but I think tonight we're all thinking about that day in three and a bit years time), as a last hurrah, a farewell and a thankyou to an amazing company and car. Anyway, I'm down for that.

I'd also like to add, a lot of us upset about the demise of Ford (and I have no doubts people have already said this), don't have a new one because we simply can't afford it.

I for example have only been out of uni for a year and a half, and my work in final year (2011) allowed me to get a loan (out of necessity) to buy my BF ute. Yes I'm working now, yes I could afford a new GT-P, if I wanted to (and I do). Should I? Or should I save, buy next year, and lump the 2016 model into my, hopefully, home loan that I've sunk far more money into than required, so I've got a bit of equity? Am I less entitled to be upset, and angry at the relevant ivory tower dwellers, than those who have bought a brand new Ford? No.

[monte.b]

Ford have indeed paid a lot of dollars in taxes ect in this country ,but lets not forget they made a whole heap of profit too ,yer they are hurting here now but in the past they have reaped millions of dollars in this country and of course sent it back to the good old usa ,tough times and they pick up their little pink skirt and go home ,weak as i reckon

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by monte.b

Ford have indeed paid a lot of dollars in taxes ect in this country ,but lets not forget they made a whole heap of profit too ,yer they are hurting here now but in the past they have reaped millions of dollars in this country and of course sent it back to the good old usa ,tough times and they pick up their little pink skirt and go home ,weak as i reckon

First laugh I've had since I left work (at the little pink skirt comment), thanks.

Good points though, it got tough in the states for awhile there, and they stuck it through.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

I don't think I can add much more than what has already been said.

To say that my heart was devasted by the news today would be an understatement. Unfortunately, the head was not surprised at all, as I think the writing had been on the wall for quite some time.

I know there has been lots of discussion here on this forum over the years about why this event would happen. I think it is not just down to one factor alone, but many. Some of you will know what I mean by the swiss cheese effect. I just hope that other manufacturing businesses (especially Holden and Toyota) here in Australai analyse why this event happened, and what they can do to turn their destiny around, in not too different a fashion to an investigation carried out after an aircraft accident or incident. Not to blame, but to learn from it.

Laslty, my sympathy goes out to all of the Ford workers and the families affected by this announcement. Further to that, my sympathy goes out to to all of the people whose livelihoods will also be impacted: lots of Geelong small businesses, parts suppliers, logistics businesses etc. These will be the forgotten ones unfortunately.

Craig H

[Ryanmk1]

Have always loved fords and always will I just hope they can continue to make cars that excite. Whats left with pedigree the Mustang and the F truck and unless they start making them in Thailand I cant see us Aussies getting them. In all a terrible day for Ford Fans.

[jpd80]

I'm feeling for all those families in Melbourne and Geelong that now must decide to hang on to the end
or try to take jobs elsewhere..Knowing is good in a way because if people want to move there's time to sell properties

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

The resale of anything Falcon took a massive hit today.

The car with the worst resale value of any car in Australia is going to get worse?

[Lazarus]

I've been a Ford fan all my life. As a kid my room was full of photos of awesome Fords with a special soft spot for the mighty xa-xc Falcons. I shed a tear today because of what the Falcon represents to so many Australians... It really has become a part of the landscape. I'm blessed to have an Xc gs v8 in the stable and daily drive a kh tx3 turbo 4x4. I hope that all the workers and their families get some new opportunities. Finally I hope Ford continues to be a presence in Australia especially in Motorsport. Ps please send us the mustang, Aussies still love their muscle cars...

Thanks for the memories.

[Iggle Piggle]

I am a Holden man and feel for you guys - feel for those of you that work in manufacturing at Ford, those of you that work in the component industry, and those of you that are passionate supporters of the local Ford products.

I'm not here to gloat - this all but confirms Holden's demise is not far away, no matter what assurances and commitments have been made, so what is there to gloat about? Anyone that wants to troll using an event that will impact so many Aussie's and their families - well, I don't reckon I need describe how low that is.

While I annoy Ford supporters on a V8 forum, I actually have a lot of respect for you guys. Some of us get to choose our allegiance, some of us can switch allegiance - but some of us are just born into a red or blue family and have no choice. I could have just as easily be born into a blue family, but was born into a Holden family in 71.

Holden supporters of my vintage have had it easy - we have rarely had our loyalty, commitment and passion tested. I have a lot of respect for Ford fans my age, as while there has been some sugar along the way they have also remained loyal through some very dark days that would have tested their resolve - a long period in the 80's with no V8, little or no factory support/commitment to racing programs, and some heartbreaking moments at Bathurst.

This is not ragging on Ford - it is a compliment about the character of you guys to have not just gone "**** it" through those tough years. It is why there are still so many Holden supporters now - we haven't had those periods to cleanse our ranks of the weak.

I hope one of two things happens for you:

1) A natural disaster or two wipes out some overseas Ford plants and makes our local plants required assets - no loss of life, just something like the Thai plant nearly burning to the ground, then when there is not much left to salvage the fire is put out by a long lasting flood; or

2) If local production is to end, I hope you get your GT-HO. If the guy that owns the name won't donate the name back, then just call it the HO GT, or call it the Peregrine Falcon (Peregrine being the fastest falcon - capable of 322km/h).

Either way, you deserve better than this.

Originally Posted by pottery beige

within two minutes of backing out my driveway i can be driving past Holdens..

2 minutes to GMH hey? Looking at your cars I still wouldn't rule out you living at Gawler.

[fte50]

Pretty much all been said but hard to digest when the brand is such a symbolic part of our culture. I dont think Ford as a brand will have the same 'attachment or emotion' for many people. It will just be another of the brands offered here but its products will have no connection. It will no doubt leave a void that no import can nor ever will replace imho.
For me the passion began as a kid in the 70s, my entire family driving Fords, stockies & hotties.
Growing up in Campbellfield, we would pedal our dragsters (later mongooses) down Barry rd, across the Hume and glance at the cars from across the fence. Still remember the last of the Xseries coupe bodyshells sitting idle outside for months on end, and the amount of 'surplus new parts' that would get binned at the scrap metal merchant across the road. To think we used XR/XT GT wheel caps as frisbies.
We would pedal up the Hume just shy of Somerton Rd waiting for some test/experimental car to fly past at 140km/h or so.
And when all that wasnt exciting enough, we would pedal across the old quarry, under the fence and into the old abondoned sheds on Mahoneys Rd where Howard Marsden helped create legends & the Gt Falcons were once built.
A group of young boys still to young to even get a look over the dash, but chasing the elusive dream of finding some forgotten GT parts or anything..... funnily enuff we did this on a weekly basis always thinking our efforts might amount to something but they never did ....... apart from good memories.

Ford Australia was good to the communities and the nation, created wealth, spread prosperity and 'built families alongside its cars'.
This is and will be remembered in history as a sad day for our country in all facets.

Sadly whilst not entirely guilty of todays outcome, the root cause of this closure is linked to Governments (past/current) inability to protect our nation, its people and our sovereign values by continually undermining our manufacturers in the elusive crap of free trade agreements etc when they clearly know the competition aint a level playing field.
Skills & opportunities forever lost, perhaps Australias next big growth industry will be selling fairy floss to the Chinese tourists.
Shame.
Finally all the best to the workers affected and as a redundant GM bloke i can tell ya things do work out, although it might not seem like it at the present time - Good Luck.

[GazzF6]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

The resale of anything Falcon took a massive hit today.

Funny that.. In my mind, it's value has just gone up.

[RHR]

Australia without falcon is like Australia without Vegemite.

Such a shame to loose a car we all love.

Poor uncle Geoff. As others stated he'd be turning in his grave.

Too little to late. Diesel terry should have happened back when it was first released. Good work Tom Gorman hey at least he bought us the turbo terry.

Falcon wagon. Wife and saw a photoshop of a blue fg wagon. Wife said " owe wow when's that coming out I really like it" sorry cant get that

Ecolpi too late and no body knew about it. We have a work one and I'm amazed about how good it is.

Shattered to say the least

Long live the falcon

Long live the i6

[dom_105]

For anyone "in the know"

Exactly how much work was done on the post-2016 Falcon? It would be interesting to see what the designers had in mind, if only initially.

[BroadyFord]

A long shot but what are the chances of another manufacturer snapping up Ford's production facilities?

I don't care if it's VW, Chery or Great Wall - anything to keep jobs!

One can dream...

[Brendo_GSUte]

Sad day indeed. Writing has been on the wall for a few years now.

Thoughts are with the workers but i know fans are equally devastated as im one, at least they have 3 years to plan though and its not an over night dont come back monday scenario.

But Im gunna miss running down to the local ford dealership to see what the new model looks like and now genuinely feel a void in my passion for motoring...

I can say now on my 5th Falcon Ute (3 of them hi po V8s) my GS is the best of the lot and the keys will have to be pryed from my cold dead hands!

I dont blame Ford and their management, i blame the retarded "goverment" that makes it easy to import a car and allow money to contiually flow out of Aus easier than ever.

Sadly i think Holden will be next but not for a few years now, the thing that saved them was exporting... Why didnt you Ford!!?!

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by RHR

Too little to late. Diesel terry should have happened back when it was first released. Good work Tom Gorman hey at least he bought us the turbo terry.

Gorman was also the CEO who devised the plan to build the Focus here and retire the I6 in favour of the corporate V6 - because he knew, long term, Ford Australia needed 1) another vehicle line to keep its assembly operations viable and 2) corporate powertrains to give the Falcon a fighting chance in an export market. But of course that Burela muppet canned that whole thing for a 4 pot Falcon that nobody knows about.

[naddis01]

Well what can I say that hasn't been said already other than say that our thoughts are with those who will be losing their jobs.

On a happier note, we picked up our new XR6T sedan on Monday and boy what a car!!! When I sold my RTV last year I thought that it was going to be my last Australian Ford as the single cab ute no longer suited my needs and my wife was dead against buying a Falcon sedan. She was adamant that she would never want one. However an opportunity came up to buy one for what I thought was a fantastic price so I got my wife to go an test one. Needless to say when she drove one she fell in love and now we proudly have one in the garage. It's not perfect, nothing is, but it is a fantastic car. If only more people were like us and actually tried one, maybe things might be different.

Anyway, to all of those who are directly affected by this announcement, chin up guys. We all love the work you do and the cars you make!!!

[nuthin' fancy]

The saddest part is the inevitability of it all.

We will get better cars cheaper when we stop manufacturing but the emotion around the loss of the Falcon name (an Amercian invention) hurts, regardless of the monetary issue.

While I don't for a second want to ignore the plight of the workers, it is a sign of the times that only 1,200 Ford workers lose their jobs.

[Fez WQ]

Feel rejected .....