Ford CEO - Americans need to “get back in love” with small cars

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by ivorya

Thats ok, but when the taxes increase, the servicing goes thru the roof, fuel prices go up ............. PLs don't be a Karen and whinge!

It's not like any Gov has/had alluded to the immediate sales stop of ICE vehicles in fact, they have/had given a 10+yr timeline. Plenty of time for new technologies to worked on.

In Fact, watch this.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZhKqpleAXM&t=639s Fingers crossed this technology moves forward at pace! You may just get your ute

Taxes might increase, servicing might increase, fuel might go up, but if anyone thinks the government won’t be coming for electric/ alternative fuel car buyers, I have a bridge to sell.

This government has given a timeline, the bridge is still for sale to those who believe that too.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

Taxes might increase, servicing might increase, fuel might go up, but if anyone thinks the government won’t be coming for electric/ alternative fuel car buyers, I have a bridge to sell.

This government has given a timeline, the bridge is still for sale to those who believe that too.

And the bridge word is the current labour gov will re introduce a toll and both ways !
Bugga these alternative run green labour govs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

They don't need to have that experience, they just need to listen to the people who operate in that space and listen to their concerns.

Which they invited industry to contribute to, provide feedback, then subsequently ignored it all and made their own decisions.

image

Thats South Pacific Tyres talking to the federal government in 2002.

Then again in 2005 over a proposed Chinese-Australia FTA (see what is now CHAFTA)

image

A review of the Thailand - Australia FTA by a university:



So congratulations, we facilitated the expansion of Japanese and American auto manufacturers into Thailand to service the Australian market, in exchange for losing our own manufacturing industries.

You don't need to be an expert in something, you just need to recognise, take feedback from and make your decisions on the advice of those who are - being a politician, is the same as being a good manager, its all about relationship management.

They opened up to consultation from the industry, and then ignored it.

If anyone actually wants to debate this from an informed position, plenty of information out there from 20+ years ago that appears on the first page of Google, all from manufacturers who are now long gone.

Great post there Franco, I have no idea what the goals of DFAT were, we eradicated our manufacturers for what? Hoping to curry favour and influence with mercantilists? Anyway, it'll be one for the textbooks.

I've seen within defence publications a thousand day window before conflict mentioned, we might need tyres for the vehicles we will need to produce.

see here:

https://navalinstitute.com.au/more-n...aukus-arrives/

This one is excellent strategy too, off topic, we will need to ensure supply, not trade, by the sea. Enough ships - which we thankfully are building - to control parts of the sea at certain times (convoy) to get materials through:

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-in...eaborne-supply

[jpd80]

Back on topic,
Ford beginning its pivot away from heavy reliance of next Gen F150 BEVs to smaller BEVs.
If you don’t like a Ford plan, just wait six or nine months….

https://www.autoweek.com/news/a61699...ese-batteries/


Due to the larger batteries required in big BEVs, the profit goes down compared to
smaller BEVs. So now the hunt is on to find the sweet spot that enough buyers will
sign up for…….

In the meantime, I think it’s important that Ford still have a plan that includes small to
Mid- sized vehicles that have really good efficiency but also double down on electrification
with things like more hybrids and PHEV, they probably make more sense for our market
in being able to reach more buyers.

[Sprintey]

I came across this and was reminded that there was a time before when the big US automakers saw market demand for smaller compact cars, and delivered really good ones that were very popular:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANPpnx0qbIo

They've done it before.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

I came across this and was reminded that there was a time before when the big US automakers saw market demand for smaller compact cars, and delivered really good ones that were very popular:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANPpnx0qbIo

They've done it before.

The 70s' fuel crisis helped.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Great post there Franco, I have no idea what the goals of DFAT were, we eradicated our manufacturers for what? Hoping to curry favour and influence with mercantilists? Anyway, it'll be one for the textbooks.

Firstly, a lot of politicians are stupid, and others rely on advice from bureaucrats and technocrats that are so ideologically bent they can lick their own *****.

Smart politicians are almost more dangerous, because all they care about is votes, and they know that the easiest way to garner votes is via deception.
Like all the "Greens" voters who are happy to live their prosperous lifestyles, in a country that owes 100% of it's wealth and prosperity to the very industries they claim to hate.

Australia Federal Politicians face a huge challenge. Imagine the feeling of being elected Prime Minister. Finally achieving your lifelong ambition. Only to realise that the most of the world leaders don't know or care who you are.
At least when the Libs go crawling to the USA and UK, it makes sense. But when our leaders prostate themselves trying to get recognition from other countries, it's just embarrassing.

There is NO such thing (internationally) as a Free Market. Literally NONE of the conditions are met. Doesn't stop the pollies prattling on about it, or constantly running around trying to sign "FTA"s.

Ultimately, having a technologically advanced Manufacturing Sector, is a political decision. If your government isn't willing to incentivise it, there are plenty of other Countries that will.
That's why countries like China and South Korea, who 100 years ago were still trying to master basket-weaving and wok-making, now lead the world in many sectors. 60+ years ago Australian Universities were at the forefront of world research in many technologies. And our Asian neighbours sent their best and brightest here to learn and take that knowledge home. Now we lead the world in Inclusivity and Breakdancing Studies, and the only students coming here are just trying to rort immigration.

Sadly, neither side sees any votes to be won in supporting manufacturing. The libs are still butt-hurt from seeing Australian Manufacturing dominated by Welsh Communists. And the Labor party is only interested in chasing Green Votes.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

60+ years ago Australian Universities were at the forefront of world research in many technologies. And our Asian neighbours sent their best and brightest here to learn and take that knowledge home. Now we lead the world in Inclusivity and Breakdancing Studies, and the only students coming here are just trying to rort immigration.

Sadly, neither side sees any votes to be won in supporting manufacturing. The libs are still butt-hurt from seeing Australian Manufacturing dominated by Welsh Communists. And the Labor party is only interested in chasing Green Votes.

Now our education institutions are just immigration scams who hand out degrees like lollies to foreign students who can't even speak English, but they pay a shitload to transition their temporary visa to permanent residency then Australian citizenship.

It wont be long before Australian education institutions will be like Indian ones where they're bullshit available to the highest bidder.

We've got over 2 million foreign 'students' in Australia at the moment taking place in this scam on 'temporary' visas trying to transition to PR/Citizenship - they had a couple huge protests in Melbourne recently demanding the rights to stay here.

Government is keen on this bullshit because they become voters for their party, while they sell me and your children down the river.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

That's why countries like China and South Korea, who 100 years ago were still trying to master basket-weaving and wok-making, now lead the world in many sectors. 60+ years ago Australian Universities were at the forefront of world research in many technologies. And our Asian neighbours sent their best and brightest here to learn and take that knowledge home. Now we lead the world in Inclusivity and Breakdancing Studies, and the only students coming here are just trying to rort immigration.

Damn straight, check this out

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/10/s...ntl/index.html

Australia taking on the world and coming out on top! Makes you proud to be Australian.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Now our education institutions are just immigration scams who hand out degrees like lollies to foreign students who can't even speak English, but they pay a shitload to transition their temporary visa to permanent residency then Australian citizenship.

It wont be long before Australian education institutions will be like Indian ones where they're bullshit available to the highest bidder.

We've got over 2 million foreign 'students' in Australia at the moment taking place in this scam on 'temporary' visas trying to transition to PR/Citizenship - they had a couple huge protests in Melbourne recently demanding the rights to stay here.

Government is keen on this bullshit because they become voters for their party, while they sell me and your children down the river.

The worst bit is for the local young people at uni, one of my children got to be the aussie in the group assignment, guess who does all the work in English so everyone passes? End group assignments, enforce English competency.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Now our education institutions are just immigration scams who hand out degrees like lollies to foreign students who can't even speak English, but they pay a shitload to transition their temporary visa to permanent residency then Australian citizenship.

It wont be long before Australian education institutions will be like Indian ones where they're bullshit available to the highest bidder.

We've got over 2 million foreign 'students' in Australia at the moment taking place in this scam on 'temporary' visas trying to transition to PR/Citizenship - they had a couple huge protests in Melbourne recently demanding the rights to stay here.

Government is keen on this bullshit because they become voters for their party, while they sell me and your children down the river.

Saw on the news the other night that these university students are having trouble getting accommodation,
seems like all the previous rentals have become airBnBs and universities are going to have to find or have
more housing built. Funny how things have a way of working out……

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

The worst bit is for the local young people at uni, one of my children got to be the aussie in the group assignment, guess who does all the work in English so everyone passes? End group assignments, enforce English competency.

Was a scam going on for the foreign nationals over a decade ago during my first apprenticeship, they had the international guys doing certs at $50K+ a semester, for visa scams.

Its been rorted for over a decade now, absolute joke.

But hey, looking forward to a Fiesta EV or something if Ford USA is demanding small BEVs

Give me a Fiesta EV with 160KW/400NM at the front wheels, 500km+ range would be nice.

[Syndrome]

A bit rich coming from a company which has slowly killed the small cars they used to build. Look at how many small cars Ford offers these days!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ction_vehicles

[Sprintey]

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-new...tential-threat

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-new...tential-threat

Americans have zero understanding of what happens outside of their borders. Chinese CARS are the existential threat. Legacy auto is dead man walking.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-new...tential-threat

Most products coming out of China are shit.

Honestly, I've always struggled to understand why some cars (historically) were so shit. Why manufacturers didn't simply copy better products. But that's the way the world works, I guess.

But, in terms of electric cars, firstly the basics are pretty simple. Then all the advancements are relatively new, and pretty much everyone has started from scratch.
Honestly, I think the only real differences, come down to customer expectations.

I get a lot of Ubers. Teslas have become very popular. (Not sure why or how, and don't really care.) I personally find the door locks irksome, and thing the giant touchscreen is ridiculous, but that's just gimmicks. I have found them very comfortable and pleasant to ride in.
(I ardently dispute that they are in any way saving the planet, and I have no interest in owning one, but they do make for a very pleasant Uber experience.)

I've also ridden in BYDs. The interior is terrible, they smell bad, and are curiously noisy. But I think that's mostly down to customer expectations. I'm sure that if they could be bothered, BYDs could be every bit as pleasant as Teslas.
I suspect that this poor quality is probably present in other areas, because for their market it doesn't make sense to spend money improving.

Don't get me wrong, they still can't make a decent engine to save their lives. (MGs are just appalling pieces of junk.) But if the trend to electrics continues, maybe they won't have to.

Even with MGs. Cars are priced at what they can sell for. Stupid people ensure that the price of MGs remains too high. But they could probably, if necessary, sell them for half the price, takeover the market, and still be making money.

As long as China is prepared to keep most of their population working as slaves, and the world allows them to keep shorting their own currency, they will continue to be able to undercut manufacturers everywhere.

[Sprintey]

Maybe these are the small cars to get back in love with, and they are using an engineer who can design an affordable, small, efficient & profitable EV:

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...nging-electric

“There’s no question that if we’re going to be a true mass brand, we want people to graduate to a vehicle like Explorer, but where do you start them?”

Of course the answer to that is in a Ranger.

[Syndrome]

Try and find a small car of the Ford Australia website!

https://www.ford.com.au/

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Try and find a small car of the Ford Australia website!

https://www.ford.com.au/

Just buy a rubbish MG3 and get over it.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Just buy a rubbish MG3 and get over it.

Why? .

[Sprintey]

Here's the small car that is the existential threat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izvdO-zdlKg

At $11K US, it's ridiculously affordable, looks to have good build quality, would cost nothing to run with own solar, would do most motoring for most people, and if the battery goes at 10 years who cares as the cost was so low?

Ball's in your court Detroit.

[Sprintey]

Another month, another news article on what direction Ford might take. This one sounds fun:

"Big change in Ford Australia's future? How Australia could benefit from the Blue Oval's new era in Europe that puts more Mustangs, Broncos and Raptors in its future"

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...blue-ovals-new

I'd be quite interested in seeing the Bronco here.

"“Mustang is really important to Australia,” Mr Farley told this website at the launch of the latest pony car. “I guess what I’m saying is we really want to be a brand in Australia with opinionated products.”"

"Now, in a recent interview with the UK’s Car Magazine, Farley has indicated the time may have come for the Bronco, and other models, to go global. Farley made it clear the company feels like it has underperformed in Europe and wants to build up its line-up of his so-called “opinionated” models there.

“We’re getting out of the boring-car business and into the iconic-vehicle business,” Farley told Car. “We’d always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn’t work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta. They were loved by a lot of customers but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles.”"

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Another month, another news article on what direction Ford might take. This one sounds fun:

"Big change in Ford Australia's future? How Australia could benefit from the Blue Oval's new era in Europe that puts more Mustangs, Broncos and Raptors in its future"

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...blue-ovals-new

I'd be quite interested in seeing the Bronco here.

"“Mustang is really important to Australia,” Mr Farley told this website at the launch of the latest pony car. “I guess what I’m saying is we really want to be a brand in Australia with opinionated products.”"

"Now, in a recent interview with the UK’s Car Magazine, Farley has indicated the time may have come for the Bronco, and other models, to go global. Farley made it clear the company feels like it has underperformed in Europe and wants to build up its line-up of his so-called “opinionated” models there.

“We’re getting out of the boring-car business and into the iconic-vehicle business,” Farley told Car. “We’d always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn’t work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta. They were loved by a lot of customers but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles.”"

Interesting and positive but note that Farley said we can do all of that but not we are in the process of doing it.
We’re back to the boss of Ford saying things to sound possible because his primary BEV plan is faltering
so he’s looking at other products to fill the gaps.

For the longest time Ford saw Everest as the global 4WD and Bronco as more North American specific but
perhaps the evidence now exists that valuable RHD niche buyers may prefer Bronco and Bronco Sport
as alternatives to Toyota vehicles……would those be post RHD conversions? Would that drive prices too high?

still too many unanswered questions and that’s why no commitment exists

[Sprintey]

With Ranger and Everest selling well, throw in

Bronco
Bronco Sport
Maverick
Explorer

keep Mustang and F-150 and vans

and that's a Ford range that looks really well rounded right now. And quite a bit American with a lot of character.

[Franco Cozzo]

Who cares what the Ford CEO says, there'll be another new Ford CEO by next year who will turn around and go off in a completely different direction again

[jpd80]

Whenever a Ford CEO talks about all the vehicles the company could do, they normally don’t have them in development.

Ford Australia would be pushing for more product but getting the business case nailed is so hard.

[Trendseeker]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Whenever a Ford CEO talks about all the vehicles the company could do, they normally don’t have them in development.

Ford Australia would be pushing for more product but getting the business case nailed is so hard.

I was thinking the same thing. The CEO’s pronouncements are like informal opinion surveys: throw out a comment and see what the feedback is. And he can pretend he’s engaging with his customers and listening to what they say.

[Rastas]

Hahaha I see that Farley had a China car (Xiaomi SU7) brought to the US for evaluation purposes and loved it so much he made it his daily drive (last 6 months) and does not want to give it up.

[jpd80]

Actually, I think the presenter did a good job of giving Farley a safe space
that he dropped his guard and probably revealed more than he normally would.

Maybe skip to the 9 minute mark to avoid the less interesting stuff…

[randel]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Actually, I think the presenter did a good job of giving Farley a safe space
that he dropped his guard and probably revealed more than he normally would.

Maybe skip to the 9 minute mark to avoid the less interesting stuff…

Wow, interesting listening to them talk of the global market of 90 million vehicles and the different volumes that countries can supply..... China really can take over the world with their existing capacity