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#1 | ||
Ford screwed the Falcon
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,061
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When I posted the five year thread at that stage the last Australian made car had rolled off the end of the assembly line months ago. The assembly plants were in the process of being dismantled. And Holden were seeing early warning signs that the Opel Commodore was not selling in the anticipated numbers.
https://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11472229 Now it is ten years and the decision by Ford to end local production turned out worse than expected. Although Ford didn't kill the Holden brand, they contributed to it's demise. As I drive the streets of Melbourne I regularly see locations were former Holden dealers were located are now either selling other brands or are empty and derelict. That was not expected in 2013. Plus the domino effect of former tier 1 suppliers going bankrupt (Ajax Fasteners, MacKay Rubber etc). And those who are still going have scaled back their local operations (I met with NSK a few weeks ago who told me how much their business has downsized since 2016). If it was only possible to get the former assembly lines to ![]()
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Falcon: 1960 - 2016 My cars Current ride 2016 FG X XR6 - 6 speed manual Previous rides 2009 FG XR6 - 6 speed auto 2006 BF MkII XT ESP - 6 speed auto 2003 BA XT V8 - 5 speed manual 1999 AU Forte - 5 speed manual 1997 EL Fairmont - 4 speed auto 1990 EAII Fairmont Ghia - 4 speed auto |
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#2 | |||
Cabover nut
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Onsite Eastcoast
Posts: 10,827
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Quote:
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heritagestonemason.com/Fordlouisvillerestoration In order that the labour of centuries past may not be in vain during the centuries to come...... D. Diderot 1752
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#3 | ||
B1 - J & D Services
![]() Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brim, Victoria
Posts: 1,632
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I came on to find a thread like this. A national shame and sad day.
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Mr. Brett Johnstone. ![]() 2002 Ford Laser 2000 Ford Falcon Wagon Egas 1999 Subaru Imprezza Sportwagon 1998 Holden Suburban 2500 1995 Land Rover Discovery TDI 1994 XG XR6 Longreach 1983 Holden Rodeo 1975 Datsun 120Y wagon 1970 MG Midget 1967 Rover 2000TC Soon: Model T. |
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#4 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,045
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Politicians didnt have much to do with it. We werent buying enough Fords, so they committed less and less to development and updates, so we bought even less. Once one manufacturer went, the critical mass wasnt there to support sourcing components here, and soon all the dominos start to fall. It's easy to say the government of the day were responsible for Holden walking away, but they had committed to a long term future under the previous government, then came cap in hand wanting even more. That was never going to fly.
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#5 | |||
Cabover nut
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Onsite Eastcoast
Posts: 10,827
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Quote:
I just know because of them it may never return.
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heritagestonemason.com/Fordlouisvillerestoration In order that the labour of centuries past may not be in vain during the centuries to come...... D. Diderot 1752
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#6 | ||
Render unto Caesar
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ::1
Posts: 4,221
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On the flip side - Toyota Australia expanded their R&D facilities, transformed their old assembly buildings into a centre of excellence, hydrogen R&D, a test track and numerous other facilities. They've hedged their bets on innovation and engineering rather than just one dimensional assembly.
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"Aliens might be surprised to learn that in a cosmos with limitless starlight, humans kill for energy sources buried in sand." - Neil deGrasse Tyson |
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#7 | ||
WT GT
![]() Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: The GSS
Posts: 17,759
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They were making cars that only a few wanted. And what most people wanted was readily available from OS suppliers.
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#8 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 624
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I'm still waiting for these cheap imported cars we were promised..
My kingdom for a decently priced sedan that's fun to drive
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FGII FPV F6 #406 BFII FPV F6 Typhoon R Spec #118 VK HDT Group A/Group 3 #3249 |
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#9 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,350
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Quote:
Dr Terry |
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#10 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,350
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Quote:
Both Ford & Holden were at the mercy of their US parents. Ford weren't permitted to build any LHD cars & therefore gain any real export marketing opportunities. GMH had huge export markets & were exporting more than 50% of there total production, but GM (US) took that off them during the GFC, replacing Aussie-built RWD cars with their FWD rubbish in those markets, leaving Holden the crumbs. Toyota had no such constraints. Result being that both had not enough volume sales to exist in such a small market. Dr Terry |
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#11 | ||
Cabover nut
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Onsite Eastcoast
Posts: 10,827
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FFS !!!!.......never said that either.
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heritagestonemason.com/Fordlouisvillerestoration In order that the labour of centuries past may not be in vain during the centuries to come...... D. Diderot 1752
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#12 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 456
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GM caused the demise of Holden, not any other factor. GM were pulling out of the right drive market worldwide, so Holden were on borrowed time once the decision about the RH drive markets was made at the GM corporate office.
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Never argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat with experience every time. |
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#13 | |||
Peter Car
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: geelong
Posts: 23,145
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Quote:
That was the no 1 reason the local industry is now dead. Tariffs keep them viable. Once the tariffs had dropped to next to nothing was when the industry essentially died, it just took years for it to happen. |
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#14 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 624
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Quote:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Button_car_plan
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FGII FPV F6 #406 BFII FPV F6 Typhoon R Spec #118 VK HDT Group A/Group 3 #3249 |
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#15 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,350
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#16 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,350
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Quote:
Dr Terry |
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#17 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,350
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Quote:
Dr Terry |
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#18 | |||
Peter Car
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: geelong
Posts: 23,145
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Quote:
We had some of the cheapest electricity prices in the world not long ago. Now we have some of the most expensive, because of green driven agendas. |
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#19 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,350
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Quote:
All of the others costs (rates, electricity etc. etc.) have been added by all 3 levels of Govt. (federal, state & local). Dr Terry |
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#20 | ||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,177
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I remember where and when I heard the news Ford had decided to call it quits.
It was a Thursday morning, and I was mowing at my biggest client's property, in the front yard and listening to the local ABC talkback while I worked. As soon as the presenter said "breaking news, Ford have........", I knew exactly what was coming. And sure enough, that's what played out.
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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#21 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Canberra Region
Posts: 8,923
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Didn't they do it just before Bathurst weekend?
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2016 FGX XR8 Sprint, 6speed manual, Kinetic Blue #170 2004 BA wagon RTV project. 1998 EL XR8, Auto, Hot Chilli Red 1993 ED XR6, 5speed, Polynesian Green. 1 of 329. Retired 1968 XT Falcon 500 wagon, 3 on the tree, 3.6L. Patina project. |
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#22 | ||
T3/Sprint8
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,334
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Cheez there was heaps of factors that contributed to the fall of Manufacturing here of the main 2.
Be it US run, Ford more so. Not keeping up with the market trends. Band aid remidies like the Daewoo partneship for Holden. Ford EU product too expensive. Sub standard product till they finally pulled their finger out all too late. The last couple of gens by both were brilliant cars, if only they did that years before especially Ford. Unions. Not being pro active enough for Export Ford looking at you compared to Holden. Government. Dr Terry, Holden selling 50 to Export ? yer that so. I knew ME was buying V8 commodores but it wasn't massive volumes, the G8 to US was a bomb. What am I missing here ?
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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#23 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hervey Bay
Posts: 5,212
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Quote:
I was always told it cost as much to build a Corolla as it does a Falcon. But the only way a Corolla can make money is economies of scale and a much lower profit margin. Now they are simply making acceptable profit margins. |
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#24 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hervey Bay
Posts: 5,212
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Quote:
The reduction in tariffs was designed to foster competitiveness and engineering excellence. They were as good as they were because they had to compete with the world. But if they were the only thing affordable on the market there was a great chance they would be poorly developed lacklustre vehicles. Pommie car manufacturing is a testament to that. And say I that owning 2 piece of **** lemon BF vehicles. |
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#25 | ||
Mustang GT mmmmmm......
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Mornington Peninsula
Posts: 1,458
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We should have been building Rangers but the free trade agreement with Thailand killed us.
We gave them free access and they gave us 40% taxes on imports to Thailand.
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I have become a Mustanger. |
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#26 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: In Front of a Monitor
Posts: 1,640
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Yes, Ford had the Territory all lined up to be exported to Thailand after the signing of the Free Trade Agreement.
Then Thailand slapped Tariffs on the import of vehicles with engines over 3.0lt. Who makes deals like this and says or does nothing. All this country has ever needed is a government that actually works for the best interests of its people. I don't know who they work for but it not the people that vote here. Both sides are the same.
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2004 Mercury Silver Falcon XR6T - 5 Speed 2017 Platinum White Mustang GT - 6 Speed 2022 Blue Thai-Special for Daily Duties - Auto |
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#27 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 996
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There are a number of reasons why the Australian car industry died off; cost of local labour, high local indirect costs (e.g. electricity, taxes), one-sided trade agreements, and so forth.
Part of the problem is also the fragmentation of the market. To the point that if there was a factory producing Toyota Hilux - the most popular vehicle in 2022 by some margin - it would be struggling with low production volume. Over the last 40 years of my working career, I have seen so much of Australian manufacturing shipped offshore. The reason is simple, excessive cost, which pulls down other secondary industries. But, I am at a loss as to how to prevent protective structures designed to foster Australian manufacturing from being held captive by various interest groups. |
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#28 | ||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,028
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Go read the productivity commission submissions from all the local automotive component suppliers dated around 2001/2002, they're available online, it gives you a serious insight into the issues with the free trade agreements with Thailand and some of the bull**** that went on with South Korea/Thailand/China.
The South Pacific Tyres submission is interesting. |
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#29 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 487
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Ford and GM were trying to get out of manufacturing since the mid 70's and
Ford Australia: The Cars and the People That Built Them and Holden: Our Car 1856–2020 have information on the attempts to get out Australian manufacturing way before they ended. |
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#30 | |||
Cabover nut
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Onsite Eastcoast
Posts: 10,827
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Quote:
__________________
heritagestonemason.com/Fordlouisvillerestoration In order that the labour of centuries past may not be in vain during the centuries to come...... D. Diderot 1752
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