Major Ford announcement....

4Vman · 24-07-2009, 10:04 AM

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...19-661,00.html

FORD is expected to announce this morning plans to cancel its decision to build the Focus small car in Australia from 2011.
Instead it will announce a $230 million investment in new engine technology and a big export business drive for the Falcon and Territory.

The move will protect current carworker jobs at Geelong and Broadmeadows and provide the potential to grow the employee base when exports start, the comapny says.

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Ford is expected to renew its committment to investing in new, more economical petrol, diesel and LPG engines for its large cars.

The company had committed to building the Focus at its Broadmeadows plant from 2011.

The multi-million dollar next-generation Focus plan involved building 40,000 cars a year at Broadmeadows alongside the Falcon, with 15,000 Focuses to be sold in Asia.

Last November, Ford renewed its commitment to the existing in-line six cylinder Falcon engine in place of importing a new V6 engine.

Ford had originally announced that it would dump the Falcon and Territory's six cylinder in favour of a globally sourced and more efficient V6 that met Euro IV emissions standards that come in from next July.

However, its new engine technology push is now expected to involve some of Ford's latest global V6 and new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines.

An official announcement is expected at 11.30am

**Raptor** · 24-07-2009, 10:09 AM

This is interesting, and unexpected.

Reversing yet another of Gorman's decisions.

platinumXR · 24-07-2009, 10:10 AM

I think it is a good decision. Shows faith in current product and investment in longevity.

Mr Brooksy · 24-07-2009, 10:10 AM

What! How can that secure the long term future of Aussies manufacturing cars?! Having a four cylinder (Foucs or Fiesta) would mean that the long term future would be much stronger wouldn't it? Maybe I'm missing something here!!!

Wretched · 24-07-2009, 10:18 AM

A bit of a surprise but personally I am relieved to hear the Focus will not be built here. I just couldn't see how it was financially viable and not sure the quality would be there.

**Grunter** · 24-07-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

...and a big export business drive for the Falcon and Territory.

To which markets?

Wretched · 24-07-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grunter

To which markets?

NZ and Tassy ;)

Road_Warrior · 24-07-2009, 10:30 AM

Great, lets put all our eggs in one basket - again - for a car type whose sales have been declining globally for the past 10 years.

T3ts50 · 24-07-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grunter

To which markets?

I would be guessing the Middle East, and maybe some Asian countries, possibly Europe if they slot in a diesel.

4Vman · 24-07-2009, 10:32 AM

Sounds like they may make the V6 for the Falcon and Terri here...

platinumXR · 24-07-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Sounds like they may make the V6 for the Falcon and Terri here...

You think? Not just crate them in? Forgive naive question...

Road_Warrior · 24-07-2009, 10:45 AM

It depends on where and what this export market is. There may be RHD-specific componentry for the global V6 that would be better off being made at the source, ie where the car is made.

4Vman · 24-07-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by platinumXR

You think? Not just crate them in? Forgive naive question...

I think its a compromise, one way or another i think the V6 is destined for our large vehicles sooner or later because its a global engine configuration and far more versatile due to its more compact nature, rather than import it and close Geelong just retool Geelong to make it here (where the cars are made) and export them, either in cars or alone...

platinumXR · 24-07-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I think its a compromise, one way or another i think the V6 is destined for our large vehicles sooner or later because its a global engine configuration and far more versatile due to its more compact nature, rather than import it and close Geelong just retool Geelong to make it here (where the cars are made) and export them, either in cars or alone...

Ok, I figured that it would be inevitable, but; was not sure if they'd fork out for tooling up to knock em' out here as opposed to just crate in the "global engine" and "Australianize" it here and use the existing infrastructure to focus (no pun intended) on other things.

King Nothing · 24-07-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Last November, Ford renewed its commitment to the existing in-line six cylinder Falcon engine in place of importing a new V6 engine.

Ford had originally announced that it would dump the Falcon and Territory's six cylinder in favour of a globally sourced and more efficient V6 that met Euro IV emissions standards that come in from next July.

However, its new engine technology push is now expected to involve some of Ford's latest global V6 and new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines.

[/I]

Interesting development indeed. Perhaps it's not manufacturing the V6 here, maybe it should have read:

However, its new engine technology push is now expected to involve some of Ford's latest global V6 and new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine technology.

DI? DOD? Ecobost I6

: ok now I'm dreaming...

Agree it's more likely to be manufacturing the V6 here though. Either way, bring on 11.30!

4Vman · 24-07-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by platinumXR

Ok, I figured that it would be inevitable, but; was not sure if they'd fork out for tooling up to knock em' out here as opposed to just crate in the "world engine" and spend Aussie Peso's elsewhere.

Just hypothesizing at the moment, we may know more at 11.30.. or not, my bet is it will happen gradually over the next 18 months...

One thing is for certain.. nothing is certain with car manufacturers....

Gabbs · 24-07-2009, 10:52 AM

I hope they don't get rid of the i6 its such a good engine. Guess we will know at 1130 what the go is.

Road_Warrior · 24-07-2009, 10:55 AM

Well, we should know by now, its way past 11:30 EST! (isnt it?)

4Vman · 24-07-2009, 10:56 AM

10.55 here....

Jason[98.EL] · 24-07-2009, 10:56 AM

I'm thinking it would be a good idea for us to wait and see what they anounce at 11.30 when they say what is happening

we as the general public can only guess what is going on .......

how many times have we seen the media get it wrong and people cry fowl ?

i'm waiting for the official announcement before i get to excited or totally dismayed on this one

Jason

uranium_death · 24-07-2009, 10:59 AM

I must admit I am a little disappointed, because Ford will NEVER have the media coverage of Holden. They release the Cruze, and it will almost automatically be noted more heavily by Australians than the Focus (though it may be argued they are in different markets).

To have an Australian small car would have been fantastic, with a media focus on 'Made by Australians, FOR Australians.'

BUT hey, I am not a business person, or anybody important at that, so I trust Mr Gorman is doing the right thing. I am very happy that he is ensuring the viability of the large cars though, so it's a case of give and take.

Road_Warrior · 24-07-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

10.55 here....

Where's here? I thought the east coast was 3 hours ahead of Wait Awhile during winter??

Paxton · 24-07-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranium_death

I must admit I am a little disappointed, because Ford will NEVER have the media coverage of Holden. They release the Cruze, and it will almost automatically be noted more heavily by Australians than the Focus (though it may be argued they are in different markets).

To have an Australian small car would have been fantastic, with a media focus on 'Made by Australians, FOR Australians.'

BUT hey, I am not a business person, or anybody important at that, so I trust Mr Gorman is doing the right thing. I am very happy that he is ensuring the viability of the large cars though, so it's a case of give and take.

Gorman went ages ago, and good riddance to him.

Current president is an Australian - Marin Burela, or GP jr.

Coyote mk3 · 24-07-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Where's here? I thought the east coast was 3 hours ahead of Wait Awhile during winter??

11:05 Here in Brissy

4Vman · 24-07-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Where's here? I thought the east coast was 3 hours ahead of Wait Awhile during winter??

Head Office..

uranium_death · 24-07-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

Gorman went ages ago, and good riddance to him.

Current president is an Australian - Marin Burela, or GP jr.

My bad.

Got him on my brain...ugh

platinumXR · 24-07-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranium_death

I must admit I am a little disappointed, because Ford will NEVER have the media coverage of Holden. They release the Cruze, and it will almost automatically be noted more heavily by Australians than the Focus (though it may be argued they are in different markets).

To have an Australian small car would have been fantastic, with a media focus on 'Made by Australians, FOR Australians.'

BUT hey, I am not a business person, or anybody important at that, so I trust Mr Gorman is doing the right thing. I am very happy that he is ensuring the viability of the large cars though, so it's a case of give and take.

Yeah I know what you are saying. Having the Focus built here, could or would also potentially allow for the availability of the RS :sm_drool: to us here, or would I be dreaming? That's my simplistic look at it.

But if what I gather is true (and 11:32 will tell...) then as you say: it will better cement my dream of one day owning an F6 with the current I6...in Ego...with 20" BBS...

while they are still available...

Road_Warrior · 24-07-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by platinumXR

Yeah I know what you are saying. Having the Focus built here, could or would also potentially allow for the availability of the RS :sm_drool: to us here, or would I be dreaming? That's my simplistic look at it.

Forget the RS, what about diversifying the production line with a product that people are buying by the shedload at the moment which would in turn keep local manufacturing viable? Grrr...

NOT HAPPY JAN

flappist · 24-07-2009, 11:17 AM

My spies tell me that the turbo I6 is now going to replace the V8 completely and be FPV only with stocks for 5 years whereas the new V6 will be fitted to all falcons with no turbo option.

2011 GT will be an I6.

SVTVNM · 24-07-2009, 11:18 AM

Watch the media take any negative out of this and run with it, leaving any positive aspect behind.