The truth behind the FPV cleanout

McPhillamy · 01-03-2007, 04:56 PM

Some interesting reading in the latest issue of Muscle Car, out this week.

Under the headline "FPV's Black Friday" is a comment piece which comes right out and says that Prodrive had no good reason to sack FPV management.

In fact, it goes on to say that FPV has just posted its most successful year and bedded down all the product planning for the next two years, for which the new management will now take full credit.

And try this: "The almost total lack of Ford and FPV material in this news section (in AMC), compared to the red team, is an immediate and dramatic reflection of what happens when you wipe out an entire marketing team and its media front line.

"Make no mistake, these four key staff positions were ultimately the only difference between the bleak Tickford days - when a model run was measured in single or double digits - and the huge success that FPV has become."

I watched all of the negative comments at the time when it happened, but I bit my tongue because I suspected the truth would come out in time.

I believe this is it, and it's not a rosy picture for the sustainable future of FPV in the hands of Prodrive.

**Falcon Coupe** · 01-03-2007, 04:58 PM

Interesting 1st post, did you work there ?

LTDHO · 01-03-2007, 04:59 PM

I only bought the AMC#30 10 mins ago, I look forward to reading it.

Hardtopxb · 01-03-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPhillamy

Some interesting reading in the latest issue of Muscle Car, out this week.

Under the headline "FPV's Black Friday" is a comment piece which comes right out and says that Prodrive had no good reason to sack FPV management.

In fact, it goes on to say that FPV has just posted its most successful year and bedded down all the product planning for the next two years, for which the new management will now take full credit.

And try this: "The almost total lack of Ford and FPV material in this news section (in AMC), compared to the red team, is an immediate and dramatic reflection of what happens when you wipe out an entire marketing team and its media front line.

"Make no mistake, these four key staff positions were ultimately the only difference between the bleak Tickford days - when a model run was measured in single or double digits - and the huge success that FPV has become."

I watched all of the negative comments at the time when it happened, but I bit my tongue because I suspected the truth would come out in time.

I believe this is it, and it's not a rosy picture for the sustainable future of FPV in the hands of Prodrive.

Do you know the real reason that they were sacked?.

Redrum · 01-03-2007, 05:27 PM

How many now work for TPR?

**Fordman1** · 01-03-2007, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redrum

How many now work for TPR?

TRD you mean ?

McPhillamy · 01-03-2007, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Interesting 1st post, did you work there ?

It'd be fair to say I knew a couple of the people who got marched out, and I've heard a bit of the behind-the-scenes stuff that has gone on.

Also fair to say there's a lot of people in the industry - not only within Ford - who are pretty annoyed not just about what happened, but the way it was executed.

It's interesting that FPV is searching high and low for a new general manager and not finding anyone. Everyone inside the industry knows how badly the former management were treated and won't touch this job with a barge pole.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardtopxb

Do you know the real reason that they were sacked?

It sure as hell wasn't for non-performance, I can tell you that. There were far deeper political reasons at work, I'm told by people within both Ford and Prodrive. It's a game of political chess and the people who were sacked (as well as the unfortunates left to run the ship with no resources) are just the pawns.

DOC · 01-03-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPhillamy

. It's a game of political chess and the people who were sacked (as well as the unfortunates left to run the ship with no resources) are just the pawns.

Sad news , but with any business, the one who holds the gold makes the calls.

Gaz · 01-03-2007, 07:49 PM

why have your performance division owned by another company?

why not make the performance division a separate arm but totally owned by ford?

Mercury 8 · 01-03-2007, 08:05 PM

Could not believe they sacked Steve Coloquin.They enticed him over from HRT last year and as we all know HRT has the best spin doctors in the game.

Poetic Justice · 01-03-2007, 08:08 PM

Why have a performance division at all?

And by that I didn't mean why have performance cars.

FPV · 01-03-2007, 08:59 PM

Ford's performance divisions never sound healthy these days and its shocking how they let them run with little or no resources.

SVT was on the verge of being dissolved but the new Ford plan detailed the GT500 and an F series performance truck, however alot of people say SVT does not exist as a team anymore and is only a badge. And in the USA, SRT is thriving with the sales of there LX based cars, and recently upgraded the Viper's engine, you would think Ford US would use SRT's performance to fund more projects at SVT. The halo effect performance models create over the base models should always be accounted for, because not only can they have a higher mark-up on the performance models, but alot of people will want to see these models and then decide to buy a base model which is in there price range.

Then there is Team RS who have stated that they would like to do an RS project(Focus RS) from time to time but they have to stretch there resources to make one. Initially the Focus RS was rumoured to have been cancelled but recently there have been spy pics that show the Focus RS undergoing testing:

http://www.autocarmag.com/News/NewsA...lCars/224098/#

What hurts FPV in this case is TRD sharing a parent company, someone mentioned that people are leaving FPV to go to TRD which is shocking. Prodrive should have come to Australia with the pure focus of helping to produce high performance cars for Ford. Wouldn't this integrated management set-up that Prodrive has implemented create a conflict of interest? After all Bryan Mears knows about both FPV's and TRD's plans.

McPhillamy · 01-03-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV

What hurts FPV in this case is TRD sharing a parent company, someone mentioned that people are leaving FPV to go to TRD which is shocking. Prodrive should have come to Australia with the pure focus of helping to produce high performance cars for Ford. Wouldn't this integrated management set-up that Prodrive has implemented create a conflict of interest? After all Bryan Mears knows about both FPV's and TRD's plans.

FPV, I'm led to believe that several previously FPV-exclusive employees (and a couple of managers) now work across TRD as well. A clear conflict of interest, I would have thought, especially when you consider that the turbo-six TRD Aurion will be most direct competitor that the F6 Typhoon has ever had.

Pity Prodrive doesn't think so.

davocol · 01-03-2007, 11:02 PM

Very interesting topic and one which this forum is all about, for this to happen within a company as large as FPV and one which is connected with companies as large as Ford and Prodrive things must be desperate, I found Gormans comments slightly hollow when asked about FPV's happenings although it was good of him to at least say something. With Orion not due to 08 and FPV in a complete shambles (see concept territory thread and 40th Anniversary GT) it's going to be a long year ahead for us die hard Ford Fans.

SpoolMan · 02-03-2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPhillamy

FPV, I'm led to believe that several previously FPV-exclusive employees (and a couple of managers) now work across TRD as well. A clear conflict of interest, I would have thought, especially when you consider that the turbo-six TRD Aurion will be most direct competitor that the F6 Typhoon has ever had.

Pity Prodrive doesn't think so.

Do you think they can see the TRD being more profitable for Prodrive than the FPV range.

McPhillamy · 02-03-2007, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Do you think they can see the TRD being more profitable for Prodrive than the FPV range.

I reckon there's been a definite shift in the mindset in recent times, yeah. Toyota's kicking goals at the moment and who wouldn't want to jump on the back of that, especially when Ford is going in the opposite direction.

elgt146 · 02-03-2007, 12:23 PM

I am currently in Japan.
I have been to the Toyota Showroom/Muesem here and they are miles ahead.

In their line up you can purchase hybrid cars in all ranges from Vans, 4WD and family sedans.

So many cars here I have seen which aren't exported to Australia. If the entire Toyota, Nissan range were available in Australia we would be in trouble.

The technology is years ahead of Ford and Holden.

The same style Ford are using on Interceptor concept with rounded front 3 bar grill is already in use here on Nissans.

In Japan as you may know everything is made with quality. As a comparison even in everyday life. When was last time you saw stainless steel downpipes, council taps, fire hydrants, storm water grates etc. Made to last and built with quality. Everythign is made with quality here.

Alot to learn from some of these other manufacturers.

Redrum · 02-03-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

TRD you mean ?

Thats the one, :Reverend:

Redrum · 02-03-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Do you think they can see the TRD being more profitable for Prodrive than the FPV range.

I think Prodrive are just just hedging their bets, have their fingers in a few pies, so when one goes bad, hopefully another is doing well.

Falchoon · 02-03-2007, 07:42 PM

Prodrive weren't real successful with building V8 Supercar engines, doesn't seem like they know much about road going performance vehicles either.

drif6 · 02-03-2007, 07:49 PM

Falchoon, you obviously know ****** all, as Prodrive are currently building some of the best V8 supercar engines around. Why do most people post cr*p on this forum when they simply do not know the truth?

**Fordman1** · 02-03-2007, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drif6

Falchoon, you obviously know ****** all, as Prodrive are currently building some of the best V8 supercar engines around. Why do most people post cr*p on this forum when they simply do not know the truth?

Are they ?

Who are they building engines for ? FPR ?

drif6 · 02-03-2007, 07:54 PM

Yep. FPR's engines are built and developed FPR (which is owned by Prodrive).

**Fordman1** · 02-03-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drif6

Yep. FPR's engines are built and developed FPR (which is owned by Prodrive).

Weren't the engines that 'blew up' built by Prodrive in the UK ?

I think the local FPR Aussie outfit are building the engines now and doing a great job. Agree ?

drif6 · 02-03-2007, 08:10 PM

Yep. The "local FPR Aussie outfit" is owned by Prodrive. So the FPR cars use Prodrive engines, built by Prodrive employees.

Cuey · 02-03-2007, 08:10 PM

Some interesting thoughts....

In the end, its bad news for FPV.

let's just hope that Sak and the rest of the team did enough before they left to keep the ship afloat

McPhillamy · 03-03-2007, 07:54 AM

I've just pegged what it is that really bugs the hell out of me about AFF, and probably the reason why I've resisted posting here for so long ... and will probably stop posting any more.

Here we have a thread about the most significant, the most dire and unexpected thing to happen in the history of FPV and FTE, something which will have huge and far-reaching implications for every part of the business.

In the couple of days since I posted the topic, it's managed to accumulate about 25 replies.

In the same timeframe, a thread about the 40th anniversary GT - a 200-unit limited run which represents a miniscule component of FPV's model activity and no more than a blip on the long-term radar - has 110 replies with ad infinitum debate about stripe packages, and the ridiculous notion that FPV is going to do a 2-door coupe or drop a full-sik 400kw donk into her, mate.

Come on, people. Wake up and smell the roses. The car company you claim to love so much is a bloody shambles and, in the words of one remaining FPV employee I recently spoke to, "a rudderless ship sailing in a 40 knot gale with the spinnaker up".

What are you going to do or say about it?

**Fordman1** · 03-03-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPhillamy

In the same timeframe, ...................... has 110 replies with ad infinitum debate about stripe packages, and the ridiculous notion that FPV is going to do a 2-door coupe or drop a full-sik 400kw donk into her, mate.

Come on, people. Wake up and smell the roses. The car company you claim to love so much is a bloody shambles and, in the words of one remaining FPV employee I recently spoke to, "a rudderless ship sailing in a 40 knot gale with the spinnaker up".

What are you going to do or say about it?

Some people just don't get it. They don't understand business, engneering, management, etc. This Thread is WAY OVER THEIR HEADS !

The FPV situation you describe is serious, but FPV still produce a great product. Most of the 'claytons fans' who are commenting about 'stripe packages' will NEVER own an FPV product regardless of how good it is - perhaps they should just go away and join LS1.

boris · 03-03-2007, 09:31 AM

Do ford Oz need prodrive?
If there is such conflict of interest why should ford continue to used them?
Are there other options?
What engineering companys do ford use overseas and could ford Oz tap into those resources?
What about Mr Herrod he seems to do a pretty good job building performance falcons, perhaps with a bit of backing from ford they could do better, and he's local with no split loyalty. Toyota is on the rise, I wonder who prodrive is backing! Screwem! get someone else who wants Ford to do well!

flappist · 03-03-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPhillamy

I've just pegged what it is that really bugs the hell out of me about AFF, and probably the reason why I've resisted posting here for so long ... and will probably stop posting any more.

Here we have a thread about the most significant, the most dire and unexpected thing to happen in the history of FPV and FTE, something which will have huge and far-reaching implications for every part of the business.

In the couple of days since I posted the topic, it's managed to accumulate about 25 replies.

In the same timeframe, a thread about the 40th anniversary GT - a 200-unit limited run which represents a miniscule component of FPV's model activity and no more than a blip on the long-term radar - has 110 replies with ad infinitum debate about stripe packages, and the ridiculous notion that FPV is going to do a 2-door coupe or drop a full-sik 400kw donk into her, mate.

Come on, people. Wake up and smell the roses. The car company you claim to love so much is a bloody shambles and, in the words of one remaining FPV employee I recently spoke to, "a rudderless ship sailing in a 40 knot gale with the spinnaker up".

What are you going to do or say about it?

Welcome to planet AFF population 27,830. One of the important things to remember is that like real life the members of AFF are very diverse and it is a haven for keyboard warriors and "experts".
Do not be disenheartened, many read, comprehend and only reply when they actually have something to say. Others just crap on, usually negatively, about any and everything.
The upheaval at FPV is quite worrying but there is little, if anything, that we the great unwashed can do about. Those who made the decissions have their reasons and whether right or wrong they have implemented them.
If they ruin FPV then sales will falter and it will die. If they improve FPV then it will flourish.
Only time will tell but I prefer to be optimistic..........