Ford to close FPV?

[SpoolMan]

For those of you who new to the thread and are not reading the entire thread, posts 19 and 34 are official posts by Ford PR Sinead Phipps.

Originally Posted by Sinead Phipps

Here is our announcement, directly from us. Let me know if you have any questions.

Today, we are announcing that the Falcon XR8 sedan will return to our Falcon line-up in late 2014. We’re excited about the return of the XR8 as we have received a large number of requests to bring it back. However, as some of Ford and Falcon’s most dedicated supporters, we also wanted to inform you directly that this will also mark the retirement of the FPV brand.

Late 2014 will mark the end of a celebrated era, a wonderful history going back 12 years as FPV and of course many years before that in our performance relationship with Tickford. You have been a part of this journey, this history and we thank you for your loyalty and support in making the FPV models and engines celebrated successes.

We will continue to offer service, parts and technical support for FPV vehicles for many years to come.

We understand that this news may not be what some of you have wanted to hear. However, be assured that we have planned a series of actions during 2014 to ensure the final FPV models’ iconic status is appropriately celebrated. We look forward to sharing more details of those plans next year.

Originally Posted by Sinead Phipps

Just to clarify: the XR8 program is one single model, sedan only. There also won't be a GTHO before FPV retires. We've always said - right from the start of FPV - that we would only do a GTHO if we could really do it justice. That hasn't changed, in fact it's probably arguably even more important now.

[billkara]

sad that FPV is going... although don't forget we are getting an XR8 and a mustang in the next couple of years...

My guess;

- XR8 with GT R-spec running gear
- XR6T with F6 running gear

;)

[XR Martin]

How is the media going to react when potentially an XR6 has 310kw and an XR8 has 335kw?
Will Ford care since they'll be gone within two years?

[Bossxr8]

Screw the media, what have they ever done for Ford lately but sink the boots in. So F them I reckon.

And i'll put a few things to bed as I've been briefed on it.

No GT, nothing but an XR8 sedan. As far as I've been told no F6 engine either, but that's not to say it may turn up in the XR6 Turbo but I think that is unlikely too. Engine will be carryover 335. Hence no XR8 ute as the rear end isn't durable enough for it, the same reason it was never available previously with the 335 in a Super Pursuit. The decision was announced now to give FPV dealers plenty of time to make alternate plans or wind down their FPV sales divisions. It must be in their franchise agreements that they require notice or something.


And I think the spin Ford used to try to paint this as a positive thing was an absolute disgrace. Do they think their supporters are absolute idiots. Let's call this what it is, Ford being too cheap to spend money on unique FPV features an updated model would require. It's all about saving dollars. I applaude the XR8 coming back as I think it should have always been there instead of the GS. But to try to make out that they have done it because of popular demand for the XR8 is just insulting to IQ's of Ford supporters.

[XR Martin]

Why wouldnt they just do a 315kw XR8 ute?

[MAD]

Maybe no ute full stop?

[jimt3te50]

Too many people hung up on a name. "Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet?"

Damn right it would. Think T3 T Series, the first Australian Ford to take it to arch nemesis HSV at the time. Worthy of the GT moniker, absolutely, did it need it, no.

Would they have sold more if it did, definitely. But it was never meant to be a "build as many as we can sell" car.

XR8 Sprint? Sounds appropriate (and likely) to me.

I don't care- I'll buy whatever they build if it has 8 cylinders.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Why wouldnt they just do a 315kw XR8 ute?

They could have, but 2 different power levels for the same model?

Originally Posted by MAD

Maybe no ute full stop?

As far as I know ute will continue into 201X, so that's not the issue. Low volumes maybe, ute numbers are fairly low.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

They could have, but 2 different power levels for the same model?



As far as I know ute will continue into 201X, so that's not the issue. Low volumes maybe, ute numbers are fairly low.

Forgetting about the AU XR8?
Utes only had 200kw while the sedans had 220kw.

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The decision was announced now to give FPV dealers plenty of time to make alternate plans or wind down their FPV sales divisions. It must be in their franchise agreements that they require notice or something.

Some more pieces are falling into place. Sinclair Ford have moved on; they're bringing all the performance Fords under the umbrella of "Sinclair Ford Performance".

[Bossxr8]

Ford ute sales smashed the Commodore ute at the time so i'm sure they weren't bothered.

[HULK_I6T]

I don't think many other than us enthusiasts will notice fpv is gone or the GT is gone or the xr8 was gone..

That's the problem, people didn't buy em!! We are a minority and even many of us didn't buy them!

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by some people

No where in FORD'S press release does it actually say that the GT is no more.

I guess Ford didn’t get the memo that some people need everything spoon fed to them.
They also didn’t say that there will not be:
XR8 with quad-turbo big block and 8-speed auto,
XR6 turbo version of the Territory,
Reintroduction of Tickford with a V12 800kw GHTO,
XR6 ute with the tray converted into a spa bath,
An extended cab verson of the ute featuring Laz-y-boy recliners
A joint venture to produce Falcon “ride-in” lawn mowers
Appointment of Paul Hogan as new CEO of Ford Australia,
Replacement of salespersons with hookers, so they can really ____ the consumer.

Yes folks, the list of things Ford didn’t explicitly spell out is endless…

BTW, Ford HAS confirmed via their dealers to myself, and I imagine numerous others, that yes, there will be no more GT. Period, full stop, They’re ALL Dead Dave.

[GTP-814]

i love the market place differentiation between ford & FPV, just like HSV & Holden. The XR8 will be compared to SS commo & no flag ship

Bring on the mustang

[Luke Plaizier]

G8e.....

[HULK EF]

so, a fiesta or mustang will double as a new family car with 5 aboard and tow my 17 foot half cabin boat and gear?? No Falcon No FPV... 2016 onwards.. love live BA-BF-FG-FH? FPV's and all falcons XK-FH?

No falcon No FPV.. -death by 1000 paper cuts. Glad that Ford may have pulled the pin but they cant stop the 1000"s that are allready on the street.

[EDManual]

Ford seem to have been closing down since they stopped making RTV utes in my opinion. Deliberately shutting down popular options.

I guess you could tow with a mustang? Why not?

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

G8e.....

Don't count on it.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Screw the media, what have they ever done for Ford lately but sink the boots in. So F them I reckon.

And i'll put a few things to bed as I've been briefed on it.

No GT, nothing but an XR8 sedan. As far as I've been told no F6 engine either, but that's not to say it may turn up in the XR6 Turbo but I think that is unlikely too. Engine will be carryover 335. Hence no XR8 ute as the rear end isn't durable enough for it, the same reason it was never available previously with the 335 in a Super Pursuit. The decision was announced now to give FPV dealers plenty of time to make alternate plans or wind down their FPV sales divisions. It must be in their franchise agreements that they require notice or something.


And I think the spin Ford used to try to paint this as a positive thing was an absolute disgrace. Do they think their supporters are absolute idiots. Let's call this what it is, Ford being too cheap to spend money on unique FPV features an updated model would require. It's all about saving dollars. I applaude the XR8 coming back as I think it should have always been there instead of the GS. But to try to make out that they have done it because of popular demand for the XR8 is just insulting to IQ's of Ford supporters.

Any idea yet if people will be able to option in GT-P seats or Brembo brakes to the XR8 ?

I'm starting to wonder if the last FPV's will be nothing more than a cheap sticker excercise.

[XWGT]

I actually quite like the idea of a stripped down racer at the right price. I always have. All I would ask for is leather interior and that's about it. I don't even want a radio. Just a supercharged V8, lots of rubber and handling, great brakes and that's about it. I might stretch to AC if I have to.....

[Romulus]

Slightly OT, but the dealership I've been dealing with since 2005 has gone into receivership. Centre Ford. Quite sad news and a sign of the times.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by XWGT

I actually quite like the idea of a stripped down racer at the right price. I always have. All I would ask for is leather interior and that's about it. I don't even want a radio. Just a supercharged V8, lots of rubber and handling, great brakes and that's about it. I might stretch to AC if I have to.....

And I thought I was the only actually liked the below idea.....

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Faster because everything has been taken out of it.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by F6 Concorde

Slightly OT, but the dealership I've been dealing with since 2005 has gone into receivership. Centre Ford. Quite sad news and a sign of the times.

Yeah there's a thread on it. City Toyota is moving there.

[DJL351]

XR8 single model sedan only....
No two tier system like 'Sprint' or the commo 'V' - No G8 or G8E.

At best we can hope for a few tick boxes that might allow us to up the brakes and suspension. (finger crossed)

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by DJL351

XR8 single model sedan only....
No two tier system like 'Sprint' or the commo 'V' - No G8 or G8E.

At best we can hope for a few tick boxes that might allow us to up the brakes and suspension. (finger crossed)

One would figure that they would have the luxury pack option. No one will go out an order one but it will be there.

[Express]

And right at the end release a Special Edition,

XR8 GT Phased Out





.

[PepeLePew]

Originally Posted by pearlhead

https://www.facebook.com/FordFalcon/...tal_comments=1
Quote:
the last GT will be built in the second half of 2014. We look forward to sharing more information about the final GT models as we move through next year.

I'd suggest thats just paraphrase generating inaccuracy. To me it infers the last FALCON GT. I'll run around the block naked if the GT brand was dropped coming into Mustang and onward.

[GT450]

Better get your duds off then as the FG WILL be the LAST GT.
GT450

[Rodge]

This death by an ongoing 1000 cuts is something that I've decided just absolutly sux.
I was trying to put a positive spin on it in my head thinking well, we will probably get some updated tech in the FH and there will be the updated ZF gearbox so an XR8 ain't so bad after all, but after a few beers on my birthday I've decied that this just sux big time.

They'll try and milk the last ouce of loyalty out of us next year with some sticker pack and even if it does include the GT-P seats, 6/4 Brembo's and R Spec suspension, all that jazz is what should have come with the bloody thing in the first place way back in 2010, not two thousand and bloody fourteen for goodness sake.

Meanwhile over at HSV and with the SRT8 there's a ton of tech and adjustable suspension kit that by any logical analysis has considerable technical superioroity to grandad aging FG platform and outdated kit.

They've got quite a nerve to try and milk this thing out for all its worth and try and put the PR spin on it that they're giving us something that heaps of people have been asking for with the XR8. I think I'll tell them to go **** themselves and buy another brand at my earliest convienience. I'm sick and bloody tired of Ford putting the absolute minimum into their cars and milking us enthusiasts for all we're worth

[dimka100]

I seriously still don’t understand why you did not buy the SRT8 yet? It’s such an awesome car that’s simply miles ahead of the current GT … I would personally love to buy the SRT8, but it’s outside of my budget ATM, so I’m holding off to see what 2014 will bring …

I still think the Performance Falcons are good buys in the 40K range (e.g. XT6T), however once you get up to the 60K – 80K mark the Falcons become so irrelevant it’s not funny … the A45 is another awesome piece of kit, but I’m not sure if that’s your cup of tea.

Plus you are in NZ, where parallel importing is king, so you have some stunning options there

Originally Posted by Rodge

This death by an ongoing 1000 cuts is something that I've decided just absolutly sux.
I was trying to put a positive spin on it in my head thinking well, we will probably get some updated tech in the FH and there will be the updated ZF gearbox so an XR8 ain't so bad after all, but after a few beers on my birthday I've decied that this just sux big time.

They'll try and milk the last ouce of loyalty out of us next year with some sticker pack and even if it does include the GT-P seats, 6/4 Brembo's and R Spec suspension, all that jazz is what should have come with the bloody thing in the first place way back in 2010, not two thousand and bloody fourteen for goodness sake.

Meanwhile over at HSV and with the SRT8 there's a ton of tech and adjustable suspension kit that by any logical analysis has considerable technical superioroity to grandad aging FG platform and outdated kit.

They've got quite a nerve to try and milk this thing out for all its worth and try and put the PR spin on it that they're giving us something that heaps of people have been asking for with the XR8. I think I'll tell them to go **** themselves and buy another brand at my earliest convienience. I'm sick and bloody tired of Ford putting the absolute minimum into their cars and milking us enthusiasts for all we're worth