Ford assumes sole responsibility for FPV

[Auslandau]

I would suggest that IF the Australian Falcon is no more ....... so would be FPV. One cannot be without the other. Ford has there own divisions to take care of the other makes and are more established world wide (One Ford) and FoA will not have a division to sell opposite these ...... Not fact but is the way it is.

[Resurrection]

Originally Posted by Brazen

So does this mean that Miami ended up killing Prodrive in the end?

No. It is the Ford 'drivetrain made of cheese' which prevented FPV from releasing the Miami at it's full potential. The cheese quote was told to me by a Prodrive engineer (CF).

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

I would suggest that IF the Australian Falcon is no more ....... so would be FPV. One cannot be without the other. Ford has there own divisions to take care of the other makes and are more established world wide (One Ford) and FoA will not have a division to sell opposite these ...... Not fact but is the way it is.

Actually I would tend to disagree with this Dave.

SVT are the septic version of FPV. If/when the incumbent falcon is completed there will be a replacement product of some kind and there is no reason why an Australian performance version could not be developed.

The concept of "one platform" works in both directions. RHD Mustangs and all the other current and future LHD products theoretically would be available.

If there was a RHD 4 door mustangesque vehicle available would that not be suitable for the Falcon marque in that the original Falcons were exactly that?

While Falcon is an Australian legend, we did not invent it.......

[Auslandau]

But ............... if we do (little bit fingers crossed ) ....... get the Mustang we should also have available all SVT, or even Shelby derivatives that go with it. I could not see FoA having the capacity, or wanting to be doing what they would be doing overseas anyway. I could see someone like Herrods taking up the slack, if any, and doing their own private thing. Same goes with Fiesta through to whatevers. Way even more so now that Ford will own 100% of FPV.

Australia didn't invent the Falcon, correct, but we definitely did re-invent it and made it our own.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

But ............... if we do (little bit fingers crossed ) ....... get the Mustang we should also have available all SVT, or even Shelby derivatives that go with it. I could not see FoA having the capacity, or wanting to be doing what they would be doing overseas anyway. I could see someone like Herrods taking up the slack, if any, and doing their own private thing. Same goes with Fiesta through to whatevers. Way even more so now that Ford will own 100% of FPV.

Australia didn't invent the Falcon, correct, but we definitely did re-invent it and made it our own.

Well probably not actually. SVT/Shelby would have to get ADR complied and to them, I suspect, it would not be worth the effort.

There are single dealers in USA who sell more Mustangs in a year than the whole FPV production.

In the big picture we can be ostriches and stick our head in the sand, be chicken littles and cry about the falling sky or just have faith.

Faith is belief and I believe that Ford will continue to make vehicles that I want to buy after 2016. If I am wrong then I will worry about it in 2017......

[Polyal]

Bloody ADR's...are we syncing with a global standard anytime soon? I recall ADR's actually being greater than other standards in some cases but generally it seems like a PIA.

I mean really...we have better standards than the rest of the world? Australia is really no different to any other country..maybe durability is different but that has little in common with safety/enviro standards.

Flappist I would suspect any global Mustang would have much more than Australia in its sights...so like other global cars its R&D'd to meet and exceed all requirements in all countries. No point developing it to a point where you still have to heavily localise it.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Kieron

Granted we did stray a little but with all due respect, this discussion should not be limited to the Falcon as we are discussing FORD Performance Vehicles and its future.

Given that the Falcon almost certainly has a limited lifespan, in the near future (if not now) Ford need to plan the medium to longer term future of FPV, it could very well be that the other models in the FOA lineup become integral to FPV.

The Focus ST is an obvious choice to move into the FPV stable, it's been mooted that FPR are looking at a racing version of the Mondeo, and an FPV performance tie in might well be on the cards

FPV have always said they will not do FPV versions of vehicles unless they are locally made, and able to be modified by them after they have essentially been built minus specific FPV parts.

They will not put FPV badges on vehicles they have no input in modifying, nor will they take foreign made vehicles that are fully built up and strip them and add specific FPV parts. That will continue now, Ford have already switched from their Oz specific naming (XR5) to the global name for Focus (ST). They are global vehicles now, the same spec and set up right across the globe, there is no modifying done to suit local markets. That rules out FPV branding right there.

FPV learnt their lessons in the Tickford days with Mustang.

[Polyal]

Phoar the Mustang is a long bow...that wasnt exactly a tuning exercise.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Phoar the Mustang is a long bow...that wasnt exactly a tuning exercise.

Still took a fully built car, stripped it and fitted their own parts. Not cost effective to do so, essentially building some parts of the car twice.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Still took a fully built car, stripped it and fitted their own parts. Not cost effective to do so, essentially building some parts of the car twice.

A lot of that was due to the cars not being factory RHD builds and the need to crash test two cars
across only 500 Mustangs, the whole localization project added nearly $20,000 per car

[prydey]

Originally Posted by flappist

In the big picture we can be ostriches and stick our head in the sand, be chicken littles and cry about the falling sky or just have faith.

Faith is belief and I believe that Ford will continue to make vehicles that I want to buy after 2016. If I am wrong then I will worry about it in 2017......

this.

speculation about what 'may' or 'may not' happen doesn't do anyone any good. promoting products that are here and now is much more beneficial. it may even have a positive knock on effect.

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

FPV have always said they will not do FPV versions of vehicles unless they are locally made, and able to be modified by them after they have essentially been built minus specific FPV parts.

They will not put FPV badges on vehicles they have no input in modifying, nor will they take foreign made vehicles that are fully built up and strip them and add specific FPV parts. That will continue now, Ford have already switched from their Oz specific naming (XR5) to the global name for Focus (ST). They are global vehicles now, the same spec and set up right across the globe, there is no modifying done to suit local markets. That rules out FPV branding right there.

FPV learnt their lessons in the Tickford days with Mustang.

Given that Prodrives reason for being is to modify manufacturers cars, I can see why FPV would have said this however, FOA own the brand now therefore they are not constrained by this, they can simply rebadge any performance Ford FPV.

Did Ford buy Pro drive out for the short term stability of FPV and intend to drop the brand after the Aussie Falcon is no longer
OR
Do they intend keeping the brand?

If its the latter, then they almost certainly have no option than to source other models.

[gtp Pete]

Whatever happens, I would like to thank prodrive for their efforts in getting us to where we are today. Without them I may not have had the pleasure of owning a supercharged car like the 335 gtp. THANKYOU.

[ivorya]

Maybe what Ford should/could do is put money into herrod as an Official-After-Market opererator. This is something written in all the mags that FPV wanted to do just before their demise

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by gtp Pete

Whatever happens, I would like to thank prodrive for their efforts in getting us to where we are today. Without them I may not have had the pleasure of owning a supercharged car like the 335 gtp. THANKYOU.

Well said. I know it probably won't happen but if FPV got a hold of the forthcoming Mondeo/ Fusion..call it what you will, and released a high boost, better handling package that would be a FPV with proper world class technology and decent fuel efficiency and more importantly is something customers can have confidence will be around for the long haul.

[Joe5619]

Here’s a silver lining for you. Now that Ford owns FPV 100%, at least Ford is now officially TV advertising the Falcon!!

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by ivorya

Maybe what Ford should/could do is put money into herrod as an Official-After-Market opererator. This is something written in all the mags that FPV wanted to do just before their demise

No thanks! DJR would be much nicer

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Kieron

Given that Prodrives reason for being is to modify manufacturers cars, I can see why FPV would have said this however, FOA own the brand now therefore they are not constrained by this, they can simply rebadge any performance Ford FPV.

Did Ford buy Pro drive out for the short term stability of FPV and intend to drop the brand after the Aussie Falcon is no longer
OR
Do they intend keeping the brand?

If its the latter, then they almost certainly have no option than to source other models.

I think its the opposite, Ford are similarily constained as Prodrive were. One Ford has basically irradicated local variations of global cars. Hence why the new Focus ST is essentially the same car right across the globe bar RHD/LHD. I doubt wether they would even be allowed to do an FPV Focus, because One Ford is supposed to remove this product duplication. And either way a hotter Focus will be an RS anyway, no need for an FPV version.

I think its in FPV's brand statement that they only fit FPV badges to vehicles with significant input from FPV themselves, they don't do re-badging.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by F6 Concorde

No thanks! DJR would be much nicer

What's the difference, DJ and Rob Herrod are friends anyway and Herrod Motorsport had a hand in the DJR 320.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

What's the difference, DJ and Rob Herrod are friends anyway and Herrod Motorsport had a hand in the DJR 320.

Herrod done the lot all the enhancements on the DJR 320, I seen one stripped to bare shell as one customer wanted there own color..

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I think its the opposite, Ford are similarily constained as Prodrive were. One Ford has basically irradicated local variations of global cars. Hence why the new Focus ST is essentially the same car right across the globe bar RHD/LHD. I doubt wether they would even be allowed to do an FPV Focus, because One Ford is supposed to remove this product duplication. And either way a hotter Focus will be an RS anyway, no need for an FPV version.

I think its in FPV's brand statement that they only fit FPV badges to vehicles with significant input from FPV themselves, they don't do re-badging.

Mulally brought back the Taurus name because he knows what value an established name can have. If it's going to be one Ford. Then I'm sure that for our market, FPV badging or subtle labelling (like SVT do) would be acceptable.

Hell a tuned local ST, (more power and Aussie suspension tweaks) and FPV stickers could command a $5k price above the standard.


I however am also in favour of Ford Falcon GT over acronym soup.

[DJM83]

Keep the FPV badges on Falcons, not Euros.

[tranquilized]

But what about when the Falcon is no more - at least as a locally built RWD car. What will Ford do with FPV then? Disband the whole operation 4 years after taking control? Or make some changes to the FPV philosphy and use the cars that are available?

Obviously Ford know the answer to this, but we'll have to wait a while yet to find out.

And like Flappist said, you would have to expect Ford to continue to build desirable cars to the enthusiast post 2016. It would be a fairly big backflip on a lot of history if they dont.

[Kieron]

That's what I am saying tranquilized mate.

The way I see One Ford is about having one design in each category across the world, what badge sits on it is irrelevant.
For instance, if FOA believe the Falcon nameplate still has value, fits with their strategic plan and they bring in the Taurus, then badge it as a Falcon.

[FPV GTHO]

Theyre moving the engine line to Geelong and building the cars up on the assembly line. They're disbanding FPV anyway!

[Bossxr8]

Nice to see Carsguide sticking to their usual bull****.

Got an email newsletter from them today with the headline- FPV collapse a nail in Falcon coffin.

What a bunch of f wits.

[RASER]

I smell a rat

Its all in the master plan, the Poms/Prodrive know Ford are going to shut manufacture, so they blinked first and left town.

Its Mr.Graziano's way of slowly winding down manufacture of Falcons in Oz, [notice how all the models are getting killed off] get over it, they had a very very good long innings [when the GovCo protected them with insane high tariff protection]

Now the level playing field is showing them they are out of there depth

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by RASER

I smell a rat

Its all in the master plan, the Poms/Prodrive know Ford are going to shut manufacture, so they blinked first and left town.

Its Mr.Graziano's way of slowly winding down manufacture of Falcons in Oz, [notice how all the models are getting killed off] get over it, they had a very very good long innings [when the GovCo protected them with insane high tariff protection]

Now the level playing field is showing them they are out of there depth

Proabably TRUE

And the fact that FORD have realised that its time they just imported their performance models - turn key almost with some minor adjustments for local market. Spending big $$$$ to locally engineer performance products for a niche market just doesn't cut the mustard anymore........sad but true....especially at the prices we all expect. Coupled with the fact that the platform that is being used as the surrogate for the main product is on its way out - I reckon they had no choice really. It was great while it lasted.

Going forward ....FOA should find a way to whack the remaining 5.0 Supercharged engines into a Fiesta..................

[prydey]

Originally Posted by RASER

I smell a rat

Its all in the master plan, the Poms/Prodrive know Ford are going to shut manufacture, so they blinked first and left town.

Its Mr.Graziano's way of slowly winding down manufacture of Falcons in Oz, [notice how all the models are getting killed off] get over it, they had a very very good long innings [when the GovCo protected them with insane high tariff protection]

Now the level playing field is showing them they are out of there depth

wipe your chin mate. do some research for a change instead of dribbling that crap. have a look at what other countries do to protect their own local industry.

also, as posted by someone who should know (in another thread), why would ford throw away 1-2 billion in revenue from the local products? how much does the imported stuff generate??

planet earth hey? i don't think so.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by RASER

I smell a rat

Its all in the master plan, the Poms/Prodrive know Ford are going to shut manufacture, so they blinked first and left town.

Its Mr.Graziano's way of slowly winding down manufacture of Falcons in Oz, [notice how all the models are getting killed off] get over it, they had a very very good long innings [when the GovCo protected them with insane high tariff protection]

Now the level playing field is showing them they are out of there depth

You realise that for a country with its own automotive manufacturing industry, we have the lowest import tarriffs of any country?
Level playing field my ****...