Disaffected By Ford Ending Local Manufacture ?

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by prydey

i fail to see why so many have completely turned against ford. i wonder if the same poeple also boycott brands like dunlop, bridgestone etc etc.

I never understand it either
These people ,and maybe a majority didn't buy Fords in general and now turn their nose up
Its a business like any other
Theres many businesses that never gave workers any notice of closure
Turn up Monday, gates locked, no pay,no long service, no holiday pay,no nothing

[gtxb67]

don't understand the reasoning for this thread

if you are a true ford fan, you will remain a true ford fan after 2016
if you are a swinging buyer, then you cannot really be affected by ford ceasing to manufacturer, because you would have considered other cars anyway - and all of ford's locally built cars have a rival


bring on 2016 so we can stop getting bombarded with anti/almost anti ford threads
oh wait, this is a ford forum, they will never stop, will they

[KIWI-1]

Originally Posted by prydey

i fail to see why so many have completely turned against ford. i wonder if the same poeple also boycott brands like dunlop, bridgestone etc etc.

Blue-blooded Son-in-law is selling his Territory in 2 years once the pre-paid services run out because there won't be any more parts.
Boycott Dunlop, Bridgestone etc. etc. and you are left with making your own tyres in the backyard.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by KIWI-1

Boycott Dunlop, Bridgestone etc. etc. and you are left with making your own tyres in the backyard.

its the same mentality though isn't it. tyres also used to be manufactured in australia. now they are not. they are manufactured offshore and imported back here. its the same thing. do people boycott all companies that left but still sell products here??

i'd expect this mentality from my 4yr old.

all this 'ford didn't show me any loyalty so why should i be loyal to them'! they built (are building) cars here for 90 years for crying out loud. even when it is costing them money!! how is that not being loyal to the australain public.
unfortunately, if your business can't make money, it will either die completely or you do something to ensure it does make money. ford have a proud history of standing on their own feet. there is a fine line between co investment by govt's and just plain bail out money.

a print company closed its doors here in adelaide. the workers were told 5 weeks before xmas they were closing down at xmas. ford have given 3.5 years notice. i have nothing but praise for ford australia.

[UberKnee]

Originally Posted by mcnews

But the only 4x4 or SUV that is not a total POS to drive is the Territory..... Seriously, there is nothing under 150k that is remotely as versatile or as cheap to own, let alone anything that anybody with a remotely car oriented persona could actually enjoy driving. I still say that in world terms and bang for buck terms, our Territory smashes its competitors out of the ballpark and in that regard is infinitely more impressive a feat for Ford than the awesome F6s (BA/BF/FG) I have owned or my current FG II GT-E....

Depends what kind of driver you are. Yeah if you're a car enthusiast they aren't the most exciting of cars, but if your just someone who looks at a car as a mode of transport, which is the large majority of people SUVs/4x4s are fine and even better if you do occasionally go out bush with them.

[stevz]

The saddest thing about the demise of large Aussie rwd cars and local manufacture is that the next generation of kids are going to grow into a bunch of limp wristed........ (you know the rest) who think that small, gutless fwd buzzboxes are the ducks guts. What a sad and bleak future we have to look forward to.

[K_Man]

I dunno, the writing has been on the wall for so long now....but let me throw this out there.

We all know Falcons days were numbered. Would people still be completly loyal if Ford announced that they were going to replace Falcon with a locally assembled but American designed alternative such as the Taurus? Or what if the local Focus decision went ahead, what would all the Falcon fans be saying if there was no family sized sedan in the lineup at all?

I think it was always a case of 'damned if we do, damned if we dont' for Ford, and i personally think it would of been a bit naive to think Falcon would be around forever, the only upsetting fact is the affect it has on local manufacturing. Business, unfortunately, is business. Lets just be happy with how many awesome years we had with Ford Australia, all the highs (and some lows) they gave us, and lets see what the next chapter has in store.

And my condolences to all people with jobs affected by this decision, I cant imagine it is one that would of been made lightly.

[KIWI-1]

Badges mean a lot and memories of the previous Taurus linger on.
Focus, Escort etc. would have been a success.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by K_Man

II think it was always a case of 'damned if we do, damned if we dont' for Ford

That pretty much sums it up, I think. Ford had no choice but to close Australian manufacturing because they weren't making any money from that venture. What do companies do when they lose money? Stem the losses. Ford closed manufacturing in Australia because they HAD to, not for ***** and giggles.

I for one will continue to buy new Fords, regardless of where they build them, because their products are fantastic. Aside from the Falcon and Territory, the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo are brilliant cars, and if I were in the market for a small/medium SUV, the Kuga would be on top of my shopping list.

[gtxb67]

i may be proved wrong, but to me the only reason why ford, holden and toyota manufacturer cars in australia, is that they produce a car that is "only" relevant to that country (including eastern australia )
the cruze is only made here because they are not selling enough commode dores and the contracts are already in place

it seems that the 2 smart companies have already concluded that building a small car in australia is not viable, but really even if it was. they are much, much, much cheaper at present to make elsewhere, so why go through the all the hassle of building car, when they can just import them and make more money - and of course, if they do not sell, they stop importing and just don't make money. with local cars not selling, they lose it

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by stevz

The saddest thing about the demise of large Aussie rwd cars and local manufacture is that the next generation of kids are going to grow into a bunch of limp wristed........ (you know the rest) who think that small, gutless fwd buzzboxes are the ducks guts. What a sad and bleak future we have to look forward to.

Well the law wants everyone to drive around in gutless fwd buzz boxes can't go past 110 anyway.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

it seems that the 2 smart companies have already concluded that building a small car in australia is not viable, but really even if it was. they are much, much, much cheaper at present to make elsewhere, so why go through the all the hassle of building car, when they can just import them and make more money - and of course, if they do not sell, they stop importing and just don't make money. with local cars not selling, they lose it

and yet the 'ford canning focus was a mistake' comments still abound.

the subject of emotion when making cars is often brought up but there are times when it is suicidal to let emotions cloud the issue. thankfully ford generally get things right. canning focus was one of those times.

[Agent86]

Originally Posted by 302 XC

I never understand it either
These people ,and maybe a majority didn't buy Fords in general and now turn their nose up
Its a business like any other
Theres many businesses that never gave workers any notice of closure
Turn up Monday, gates locked, no pay,no long service, no holiday pay,no nothing

Personally, not against Ford, but for me, the vehicles that made them unique in AU are now gone.

Given that there is no local workforce for any of the potential replacement vehicles, they are just another company bobbing around in the sea of Importers now.


We wil lbe going with the most suitable car at the right price, Hang whatever brand it happens to be.

Sad really, but such is life i guess..

[KIWI-1]

Originally Posted by prydey

and yet the 'ford canning focus was a mistake' comments still abound.

the subject of emotion when making cars is often brought up but there are times when it is suicidal to let emotions cloud the issue. thankfully ford generally get things right. canning focus was one of those times.

My comment wasn't meant to say 'ford canning focus was a mistake', more Taurus would be a mistake.

[redman]

I intend getting one more Australian I6 - in 2015 - if it is available. If not, I will hang on to what I have now.

There is nothing in the rest of the Ford range - or the rest of the world for that matter that compares to the EcoLPI engine.

I am aware that the EcoBOOST range is seen to be the future and that the engineering done here on the RWD 2.0L I4 is likely to be used in other Ford products.

I know that many here are of the opinion that the turbo I6 motor is world class and they are probably right, but there are plenty of turbocharged engines in the world.

There is only one factory engineered liquid phase injected dedicated LPG car in the world. I have one and if I can't get another, I will keep it.

[Rodge]

Calling someone out as a fairweather supporter is grossly simplistic at best.
But lets have a look. I bought a BF2 Typhoon for $60K and it was a superb vehcile for 3 years, then I outlayed $70K on a demo FG F6 which turned out to be such a dog many people would have spat the dummy and changed brands at that point, especially after 2 previous dogish experiences and seeing as HSV has had better stereos, more technology, MRC adjustable suspension e.t.c. for years but NO I thought I'd give them another chance and this time outlayed a whopping $90,000, (50% more money for a car that in many ways isn't materially better than my 2007 BF2 Typhoon), on my SC GT-P despite a horrid immediatly preceeding FG F6 ownership experience. That's serious money outlayed straight after a horrid ownership experience, if that isn't committment then I don't know what is.

Anyone can take cheap pot-shots from the cheap seats but I've put my money where my mouth is as a supporter and bought repeated new Ford and FPV vehicles. A fairweather supporter would have abandoned ship some time back with previous problematic Ford product. I don't have myopic vision or a mindless simplisitc "if its not blue I'm not interested approach" and while i've been a supporter for ages its on the basis that they've been making the best cars to suit my needs, albeit sprinkled with a fairly liberal helping of quality control issues from time to time.

Threads purpose is to see how the announcement has affected people's enthusiasm and its interesting to see such a range of different perspectives.

I went and had a look at the VF today, there's a lot of Epica in them and the back end of the Calais is bloody awful, the tiny spoiler on the SV6 was so small as to be pathetic. The interior of the Calais is very much to American's glitzy taste, (no heated and cooled cup holders though) and I was surprised how much you sit in them compared to the Falcon, the difference is HUGE. The back end of the VF range is going to cost them a LOT of sales IMO.

I will have a drive of a VF SSV Redline and a HSV Senator in due course when they have them online as demonstrators. Came away thinking the future drive experience will need to really grab me by the throat to make a change because the looks sure don't. Wouldn't mind a HSV GTS but there's no way I'll outlay $125,000 in N.Z. on one so I've all but completly ruled that out.
Had a bit of a blast in mine today and felt a bit better about things, crickey these SC Wolves run bloody hard in the bitter cold winter weather.

I absolutly agree that credit is due to Ford for giving 3.5 years notice, I can't remember any company in the world doing that before.

Trev, you might want to try a BMW X5, mate of mine has one and its a very impressive bit of kit.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by stevz

This.

Without Falcon/Territory/local manufacture, Ford has about as much credibility as Great Wall as far as I'm concerned.

So about as much credibility as yourself then, no wait GW has more than you.
Long as they can keep making your aussie made purchase a Olden cruise.
If ford holds no credibility why are you here then, why you do us all a favour and post something that will get you a perm ban so we dont have to put up with your dribble.

[pottery beige]

believe me Rodge i aint throwing cheap peanuts from the cheap seats...

i still own my first Ford.. and yes it an early model GT..

it sits in the shed beside two other GTs.. another early and a late model FPV.

now

its more than what others have.. its what you have and how the car does its thing for you everytime you hit the key and back it out the shed..

spose we all have different expectations.. mine have all been exceeded and then some and will for many years of ownership to come..

heres hoping one day you'll eventually find what you seek..

for me its a raw boofy Aussie built sedan with a certain badge slapped on its ****

[Rodge]

PB - No question the Ford announment rocked my boat but I'm starting to get my head around it and after looking at the VF today and giving the supercharger on mine a good spin-up I'm feeling a fair bit better about SC FPV ownership.

VF = short for Very Fat Epica

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by Rodge

PB - No question the Ford announment rocked my boat but I'm starting to get my head around it and after looking at the VF today and giving the supercharger on mine a good spin-up I'm feeling a fair bit better about SC FPV ownership.

VF = short for Very Fat Epica

thats the spirit fella..

my tip

anything near the last of the run, manual, sunroof, boxes ticked..

will offer very rewarding rare bird ownership well into the future..

[GTP534]

Group Hug fellas, we're all Ford supporters.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by GTP534

Group Hug fellas, we're all Ford supporters.

[Danny]

Wait a second DJM.... You drive a FWD Buzzbox that won't even do 110kmh.. Wait a second.. It's not even BUILT here in oz!! You shouldn't even be on AFF you limp wristed man you! :

Stevz.. Yawn. Ban number 4 I see.. Too bad we don't have a 3 strikes out policy.. Just a question for when you make your inevitable bitter return. What happens when all the new Aussie cars on the market are FWD Toyota's and the Cruze? There's a worry.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by Agent86

We wil lbe going with the most suitable car at the right price, Hang whatever brand it happens to be.

Its a crying shame that all the monies the CEOs at Holden and Ford get they couldn't see that ....
Imports have been hammering the top 10 sellers for a very long time
Just sad no one looked into why , now everyone is up in arms why Ford is closing and maybe Holden not far behind
Maybe CEOs should get a fair wage and a % of total sales ,then they mite look beyond that 10 bedroom waterfront palace window

[MethodX]

No, not really. Still a fan of the brand.
The way that some of the people here hate gm though, its a little deserved.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

if you are a true ford fan, you will remain a true ford fan after 2016

I wonder how many on this forum have a fleet of all fords ???
It would be a very very small number ......

Then that small number how many have only ever owned fords ........

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by 302 XC

I wonder how many on this forum have a fleet of all fords ???
It would be a very very small number ......

Then that small number how many have only ever owned fords ........

personally i have always owned at least 1 ford since 1987
it was a coupe and it was never going to be anything different
my other cars, a datsun, a telstar and a fairlane were all 2nd cars that were bought off mates, to give the coupe a gentle existence. luckily 2 were fords - i would never have bought a holden though, no matter how cheap it was

my wife (and i by extension) has a 121 mazda and a rav4 - except for the rav4, every car we have bought was at least 14 years old

[CyberWasp]

I am still very saddened by the decision, and could write a page on thoughts both bad and good but no one likes to read long posts.
At the end of the day the judges decision is final.

I am optimistic that the 2014 model Falcon will be a looker and will give the Commodore one final kick even if it is only brief in sales for a few months. I am still looking forward to what it will look like, and will be in a position to buy one.

After the end of local manufacturing.
We all have our favorite model so it is up to us to keep the legend alive by keeping it running and looking its best on the road and driving it with pride, to remind future generations that yes we did used to build motor cars.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by stevz

The saddest thing about the demise of large Aussie rwd cars and local manufacture is that the next generation of kids are going to grow into a bunch of limp wristed........ (you know the rest) who think that small, gutless fwd buzzboxes are the ducks guts. What a sad and bleak future we have to look forward to.

The reality here is that we have a generation of young people who are more urbanized than ever before, owning a car isnt high on their list of priorities, their feeling of self worth isnt tied into how phat their bazillion litre XRFPGGTSV6 is. They will buy an alto because at the end of the day its an appliance to get them from A to B.
This generation will go further than any of us here lamenting the loss of a locally built ford.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by 302 XC

I wonder how many on this forum have a fleet of all fords ???
It would be a very very small number ......

Then that small number how many have only ever owned fords ........

I've only ever owned Fords ... then again, I only got my licence in 1999, so it wasn't that long ago.