Ford vows to fight on after July shutdown

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

You mean the engine plant at Geelong?

Yeah.

[JPFS1]

well hopefully he's here to say to Graziano to go ahead and spend some dollars upgrading acart so that they can calibrate and test for euro 5+. At the moment it's euro 4 only.

[brett7777]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I'm sure that one sale would have saved the wagon from being axed.

I don't really have any opinions about the wagon being axed, I guess I was just telling what had happened with the relative. Even though it was just one single case, it interested me a bit in the light of the news that's been discussed here & in the other threads about Ford Australia's future.

Anyway it is what it is & if it doesn't seem relevant to you guys then that's fine.

It is gonna be interesting in these coming years to see what happens with the Falcon & with Ford Australia.

Personally I love the big sedans that Australia produces & long may they survive.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by JPFS1

well hopefully he's here to say to Graziano to go ahead and spend some dollars upgrading acart so that they can calibrate and test for euro 5+. At the moment it's euro 4 only.

When is Euro 5 planned for Australia, after 2016?

A hunch but, maybe Hindricks wanted to see how Ford Australia kept costs down on the I-6?
It was after all, more cost effective to update the I-6 than bring in the uS V6, that would pr1ck some ears...


(I meant that in a nice way, language editor is sensitive...)

[JPFS1]

yeah I believe there was an extension to the timelines which gives some breathing space.

2016 sounds about right, which obviously coincides with their public commitment to local manufacturing of local product.

A lousy couple of hundred million invested in Broady and Geelong should see the plants upgraded to fully flex capable.. then they can build pretty much any of the new global platforms!! If not, then it's the status quo and continue to evolve current platform.

[brett7777]

If it's gotta be global then Mustang platform has my vote

[JPFS1]

Originally Posted by jpd80

When is Euro 5 planned for Australia, after 2016?

A hunch but, maybe Hindricks wanted to see how Ford Australia kept costs down on the I-6?
It was after all, more cost effective to update the I-6 than bring in the uS V6, that would pr1ck some ears...


(I meant that in a nice way, language editor is sensitive...)

he's got a direct line to Mullaly, so hopefully he really goes into bat for the guys in the plants!

He's also visiting the Proving Grounds, he's never toured Australia's facilities, so hopefully he sees value, meets with Government while he's here and takes it all back to AM ans says go for it!

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by JPFS1

yeah I believe there was an extension to the timelines which gives some breathing space.

2016 sounds about right, which obviously coincides with their public commitment to local manufacturing of local product.

A lousy couple of hundred million invested in Broady and Geelong should see the plants upgraded to fully flex capable.. then they can build pretty much any of the new global platforms!! If not, then it's the status quo and continue to evolve current platform.

In terms of infrastructure to maintain production capability, it really chicken feed..
The thought of Broadmeadows becoming More EUCD friendly should be welcome news
to those on the shop floor, nice to know that Ford is leaving some options open..

So if FoA was to go with another RWD Falcon, there would be no technical issue
stopping them using a suitably upgraded I-6?

[Smoke Pursuit]

You guys are dreaming if you think he is here to make Falcon Euro 5

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

You guys are dreaming if you think he is here to make Falcon Euro 5

Yeah but look who's saying it.....

Originally Posted by JPFS1

he's got a direct line to Mullaly, so hopefully he really goes into bat for the guys in the plants!

He's also visiting the Proving Grounds, he's never toured Australia's facilities, so hopefully he sees value, meets with Government while he's here and takes it all back to AM ans says go for it!

Contrary to some of the guff on here about Ford US wanting to close down assets,
I think the Americans are quite impressed with what FoA achieves, it's like mini Detroit to them.
RWD is their history, a small piece preserved in a far off land...

It's not often that Ford is offered money to develop vehicles for a market, that gotta be an attention grabber..

[JPFS1]

i'm not saying he's here for euro 5 at all DASH. We are simply speculating, but I know that acart needs upgrading iirc.

What we know for sure, is that he's looking around, and Ford have stated that he's not here to be the bearer of bad news... so that's something at least.

jpd - technical issues for IL6, well it depends which technical issues we talk about... there are a few completely unrelated areas of 'issues' that need investment, those are centered around emissions and the new ANCAP.

[jpd80]

Thanks JPFS1, ACART actually provides services not only to Ford but other manufacturers too so must have an income stream..
Upgrading ACART services would also involve upgrading the emissions testing capability to Euro 5 and 6 for up coming regs
that start in 2013 and apply to all vehicles by 2016. A necessary pre step in preserving existing local Ford vehicles?

[JPFS1]

yep you would think so. Acart is a collaboration between FoA, one of the Universities and one other I believe (maybe gov?), i would expect the facility to upgraded regardless.

[naddis01]

What is ACART?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by naddis01

What is ACART?

Advanced Centre of Automotive Research and Testing....LINK

[Road_Warrior]

Put it this way, of Dearborn wanted the whole shooting match closed, they would have flexed their corporate muscles of authority and done it by now. Especially during the flurry of shuttering plants, shitcanning platforms and the like during and after the GFC hit.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Put it this way, of Dearborn wanted the whole shooting match closed, they would have flexed their corporate muscles of authority and done it by now. Especially during the flurry of shuttering plants, shitcanning platforms and the like during and after the GFC hit.

Precisely.
And while the bosses wouldn't be happy with low volumes, they would be plreasd that FoA
is making every effort to control costs and keep production going. I think they need an assist...

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Put it this way, of Dearborn wanted the whole shooting match closed, they would have flexed their corporate muscles of authority and done it by now. Especially during the flurry of shuttering plants, shitcanning platforms and the like during and after the GFC hit.

I agree and if Dearborn wasn't happy now they would have made management changes as well. O/t my wife an I both happened to drive home at the same time today and while waiting to enter our driveway I got a chance to look head on at our just detailed G6ET..and f#*k it's a good looking car...you don't know how many times I've stalled ordering a replacement, lol.

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Put it this way, of Dearborn wanted the whole shooting match closed, they would have flexed their corporate muscles of authority and done it by now. Especially during the flurry of shuttering plants, shitcanning platforms and the like during and after the GFC hit.

NOT if its not costing FOMOCO a thing, AUS GovCo has saved it and picked up the tab, soon as the menopausel-moster is booted out of Canberra the Libs would be so kind in shoveling coin down a hole.....

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Precisely.
And while the bosses wouldn't be happy with low volumes, they would be plreasd that FoA
is making every effort to control costs and keep production going. I think they need an assist...

Problem is they aren't happy with the volumes.

Sent you a PM.

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Nikked

They can be used for that, but they are not build just for that purpose



Most F-150 probally only haul a tool kit, eski and dog.

Other than the mid-west, they are used as cars/family vehicle, suits me fine, they actually outsell cars in the USA, and by a big margain

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Problem is they aren't happy with the volumes.

Only a fool could think otherwise, they must be waiting for a miracle, Magna/380 style?

Days are numbered for the Falcon, DONT PANIC, Ford is not leaving town.

With the Falcon/Terri axed we can have a much larger range of imported vehicles offered

[RASER]

Originally Posted by jpd80

there would be no technical issue
stopping them using a suitably upgraded I-6?

The ONLY issue will be finding customers to plonk down coin for a Falcon.....

[RASER]

Originally Posted by JPFS1

aaahhh for you they could do it for 19,990 drive away, but you won't get reverse or a rear view mirror... just drive OFF into the sunset and don't look back!

Its $23k in USA so wont happen, none the less seeing they sold AUSSIE MADE "Pontiac"-Monaro for less in the USA than AUS., would be nice for a change for us to have a win here down-under, payback if u will...

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by RASER

Its $23k in USA so wont happen, none the less seeing they sold the Pontiac-Monaro for less in the USA than AUS., would be nice for a change for us to have a win here down-under, payback if u will...

For interests sake, can you name me one new car, from any manufacturer, that is sold in the US and here, that is cheaper or the same price in Oz?

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Grunter

For interests sake, can you name me one new car, from any manufacturer, that is sold in the US and here, that is cheaper or the same price in Oz?

Would be none, the gap/difference is small on lots though, we have lot more brands here than USA, insane amount of different cars here for the small market size, and more coming, what we really need here is the F150:-) [They where all expecting me to say that, so i did!]

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by RASER

NOT if its not costing FOMOCO a thing, AUS GovCo has saved it and picked up the tab, soon as the menopausel-moster is booted out of Canberra the Libs would be so kind in shoveling coin down a hole.....

I don't think any government assistance, be it financial or other form comes anywhere near the money Ford, Holden or Toyota put in of their own. Any goverment help makes a project more viable or gains influence in having that project continue here however any federal/state funds don't come near what the actual companies put in themselves and never has.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by RASER

Only a fool could think otherwise, they must be waiting for a miracle, Magna/380 style?

Days are numbered for the Falcon, DONT PANIC, Ford is not leaving town.

With the Falcon/Terri axed we can have a much larger range of imported vehicles offered

blah, blah, blah!! Change the record!!!!

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Problem is they aren't happy with the volumes.

Sent you a PM.

Thanks, I see your point. Hence my hint that FoA needs an assist, maybe there's a reason why
Broadmeadows has been configured like a Ford Europe plant. We can hope...