FPV GT to be killed off early

[SS_01]

I was just thinking, do you think that its a possibility that the FPV name may be dropped, but the return of the GT name under ford?? Cause lets be honest, FPV died when prodrive left, would make sense to make the very last GT a Ford GT.

Would also be very easy to confuse the media, and say that FPV will be dropped before 2014, and let them go wild like they have about the GT being finished with the FG mk11.

[GQ_Smooth]

If Ford want to keep the GT, they would/should have made a press release saying the speculation is incorrect.

Their silence on this matter to me equates to confirmation

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by GQ_Smooth

If Ford want to keep the GT, they would/should have made a press release saying the speculation is incorrect.

Their silence on this matter to me equates to confirmation

Yes, and this is the same "strategy of silence" they gave to anyone who questioned the future of Ford's local manufacturing ops over the past 2 years. It is their established modus operandi.

[Anchor]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Just like that F6E you wanted so badly and said you would buy... FPV built it for you and you go and buy a 35k ute!!

Maybe Ford should just lock the doors up today and forget about all this petty ********. They are just cars after all.

People aren't buying GT's now so what will change that in another 12 months...

Now i'm waiting for old mate in his AU falcon to go on about how ford should still produce cars here and he'd buy one ASAP. Same story every time. Those who complain the most don't even buy new falcons.

[Road_Warrior]

Of the 1000-odd Falcons sold in June, how many of them were V8's and turbo 6's?

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Of the 1000-odd Falcons sold in June, how many of them were V8's and turbo 6's?

Who knows, Ford don't supply data but you only have to see what stocks coming through (I have a friend at a dealership). Lots of XR6's for Rentals and government cars in QLD. QLD police just got a few truck loads of new XR6 Turbos.

[stang65]

If they are going to kill off the GT come out with it instead of the crap they did with Ford leaving Australia. As for some of the forum experts when it comes to what Fords plans are they haven`t got a clue.

There are a few people on this forum who said Ford would not close and it was better not to let the opposition know their game plan that's why they kept silent and look what happen.

[tezxr8man]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Who knows, Ford don't supply data but you only have to see what stocks coming through (I have a friend at a dealership). Lots of XR6's for Rentals and government cars in QLD. QLD police just got a few truck loads of new XR6 Turbos.

they also have lancers and santa fe's and Subaru liberty's too, really helps Australian car sales doesn't it

[ridzilla]

Looks like I'm going to miss out on owning a GT!

[SpoolMan]

Some of you need to settle down, throwing insults at each other does nothing to enhance the thread in any way.

Also these Elitist attitudes coming across where a person shouldn't comment because they never purchased a new or this particular model etc, needs to stop.
If only those who purchased new cars were supposed to pass there thoughts and comments on in these threads it would be an empty place.
Everyone has the right to post as long as it doesn't go outside our T/C.

Now lift the quality of discussion and stick to the topic or it will be closed.

[Express]

Originally Posted by SS_01

Cause lets be honest, FPV died when prodrive left, would make sense to make the very last GT a Ford GT.

Agreed. They can borrow my old badge for free if they need to make a casting mould.





.

[Rodge]

Big response to a Drivel article, common guys its not like those journo's have a great reputation, hence their commonly used name. Do you really imagine they have an inside scoop on anything Their Holden HSV bias is the stuff of legend so maybe they're just trying to hand the VF a free lunch...we'll know more on August 13 so the point of further speculation at this stage is what exactly ???

[blackf6]

Great way to make the 335 GT go out. Chuck the drive line in an XR8. Like they did when they put the BOSS 290 in the FG XR8. Takes some of the gloss off owning a GT now.

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Ok so look how the US's bottom line is at the moment.....I cant believe for the sake of another few million they couldnt let it go out with a bang...it pails into insignificance with the financial and brand equity damage thats coming for them.

Mechanically the car will be good because it is good now...its issue at the moment is exactly what they wont be spending money on now.

For the sake of another few million? That's the sort of attitude that got GM and Ford in trouble in the first place!! Those days over, money is now spent VERY carefully and Ford is reaping the rewards.

The majority of the brand equity damage was done with the 2016 announcement. There's just not enough money in giving the GT the sort of send off you'd like (unfortunately) Once Mustang hits our shores most will accept or forget how the GT story was wrapped up, and new blood won't know/understand/be bothered by it.

[Express]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

Once Mustang hits our shores most will accept or forget how the GT story was wrapped up, and new blood won't know/understand/be bothered by it.

Very true.

In the late 70’s the diehard Holden fans were talking of committing Seppuku if Holden dumped the Kingswood for the Commodore.

It ended up being a bloodless change over. In the end, most Aussies didn’t give a fig.

.

[LeadFoot81]

Exactly. This doesn't invalidate the opinions of enthusiasts who have cherished these cars over the years, however it's important to understand why things are happening the way they are. Irrespective of how the GT story ends, there's still 6-ish decades worth of shot cars and memories to cherish.

[dimka100]

I don’t get it, am I the only one who is exited to get a GT drivetrain in a 45 – 50K XR8 body???

As for FPV, that stoped as soon as Ford brought them back. After all the 2014 Falcon will no longer have 2 separate companies (teams) developing a car, it will be a single Ford team working on the whole range at once … the chances of getting different body panels or body kit for the GT (or whatever it will be called) is nil.

[Alan D Segal]

Unless they have the engines sitting around and they can't be sent anywhere else/sold/used in any other way, I can't see why they'd say "we ain't paying extra for spoilers and bumpers" but still put a V8 in. I'm half expecting there to be no V8 at all, and that the XR8 comment is just wishful thinking from the journo, who is probably one of the 'if you build it I might buy... if it is cheap... and if my current car blows up... and if I get a good tax return... and if my shares go up...' buyers. I say this not because I am de-valuing peoples' views, but I am one of these 'buyers'.

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Also these Elitist attitudes coming across where a person shouldn't comment because they never purchased a new or this particular model etc, needs to stop.

I have purchased a couple new cars - not Falcons, but other makes and models over the years. IMHO any of us who have parted with our hard-earned cash to buy a car - new or used - are qualified to comment on what we want in a car, or what we think will sell to us. I parted with some money to help this forum out so I expect to be able to have a comment here - and I certainly don't expect to be treated as less valuable/respected than new falcon buyers purely because I bought a new fiesta and a used falcon, rather than one new falcon that cost the same as both combined.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

For the sake of another few million? That's the sort of attitude that got GM and Ford in trouble in the first place!! Those days over, money is now spent VERY carefully and Ford is reaping the rewards.

The majority of the brand equity damage was done with the 2016 announcement. There's just not enough money in giving the GT the sort of send off you'd like (unfortunately) Once Mustang hits our shores most will accept or forget how the GT story was wrapped up, and new blood won't know/understand/be bothered by it.

This is an extreme case, Im well aware of all the costs involved but it would have been nice (yes romance has little to do with business decisions) for everything to be done right, not pull further costs out because its all to hard.

That is the attitude that has got Ford to this point, its all just to hard.

[XWGT]

5 pages of discussion over what is nothing more than a flaky article at best?

Why don't we all just wait until August 13th and hear it from the horses mouth?

I'm not a fan of Fords current direction but am happy to hear them out at least....well before some Australian motoring journos .......

[Gadgetman]

I ordered a GT R-spec in Kenetic, manual build number 17 and sold it to a lucky guy. That will be worth plenty in time to come. Hindsights a wonderfull thing. Wish i had the bugs bunny to buy one. I'd still prefer driving an ST but the R-spec would be a great car to own.

[jphanna]

last time i remember ford causing an uproar over performace derived special edition falcons was when they dropped the v8 in 1982.

we had 4.1 XF falcons with 'sport pack' graphics......for most of the 80's

during that same period, they had 25% of market share, was kicking holdens azz comprehensively, until they 'buckled' and was bailed out by GM in 1984.

Ford was on top of thier game for YEARS, until the EA burst the bubble with shocking reliability woes. all this without a HERO falcon.

this could be the start of another golden era for Ford.....and you guys can keep the FPV's anyway as collector item$$$

its a win win.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by jphanna

last time i remember ford causing an uproar over performace derived special edition falcons was when they dropped the v8 in 1982.

we had 4.1 XF falcons with 'sport pack' graphics......for most of the 80's

during that same period, they had 25% of market share, was kicking holdens azz comprehensively, until they 'buckled' and was bailed out by GM in 1984.

Ford was on top of thier game for YEARS, until the EA burst the bubble with shocking reliability woes. all this without a HERO falcon.

this could be the start of another golden era for Ford.....and you guys can keep the FPV's anyway as collector item$$$

its a win win.

Yeah difference is that most of us couldnt care how many Taurus/Mondeos they sell, they are not made here and they do not generate the jobs like the Falcon did locally during its good times. Pretty big difference.

[peteypete]

Isn't this old news? Didn't the last FPV roll of the line last year?
Ford had already said they were going to continue with the Miami V8 motor but it won't be released in models under FPV badgeing which would most likely include GT and F6 variants... Maybe I just dreamed that?
The fact that the xr8 will now sport Ford/FPV Aus's flagship engine that will give the SS boys something to cry about is absolutely great news.
If it comes out with the GT body kit without all the ****y stripes that would be even nicer...
The only issue I could possibly foresee is price, but technically being an 'xr8' it might actually be cheaper than buying even a second hand GT.

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by jphanna

last time i remember ford causing an uproar over performace derived special edition falcons was when they dropped the v8 in 1982.

we had 4.1 XF falcons with 'sport pack' graphics......for most of the 80's

during that same period, they had 25% of market share, was kicking holdens azz comprehensively, until they 'buckled' and was bailed out by GM in 1984.

Ford was on top of thier game for YEARS, until the EA burst the bubble with shocking reliability woes. all this without a HERO falcon.

this could be the start of another golden era for Ford.....and you guys can keep the FPV's anyway as collector item$$$

its a win win.

Good post - but back in the 80's and 90's - the biggest competition in Australian motoring was between the Falcon and Commodore - the sedans and wagons and all the model derivatives were huge sellers. The public buying pattern now is so much more diverse and so are the brands available. Ford are no longer just competing with Holden - there are 10 other serious competitors out there now and maybe more to come from the Chinese brands as the Korean and Japanese cars become more sophisticated and more expensive. Ford will continue on with Mustang as the HERO car beyond 2015 - but it wont sell anywhere near the FPV volumes and the rest of their lineup is up against some serious competition. Even Ranger is cannibalised by BT50 - so from a dealer perspective - that's going to equate to a lot less traffic for FORD on the showroom floors for years to come.

Keep the FPV........you betchya....not as a collector's item...for driving pleasure...and enough room in the back for family and the dog.....

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah difference is that most of us couldnt care how many Taurus/Mondeos they sell, they are not made here and they do not generate the jobs like the Falcon did locally during its good times. Pretty big difference.

Not to mention the fact that today's new car market is poles apart from what it was when the Falcon dominated it in the 1980's.

The cars themselves are poles apart from what they were too...

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Of the 1000-odd Falcons sold in June, how many of them were V8's and turbo 6's?

Your looking about the 10-15% mark for both across all sales (so govco, personal, business).

At the end of the day if Ford wanna look at the 'data' then time to drop every model except the XR6 N/A and Lpi. They're the ones that sell the best.

[Pepscobra]

Originally Posted by ESP

... Ford will continue on with Mustang as the HERO car beyond 2015 - but it wont sell anywhere near the FPV volumes...

There's a good point; what are the current FPV volumes and are they really that great at the moment?
I've always loved the Mustang and reckon I could just be persuaded into one (wont be selling the ute though).
I think the Mustang will attract a whole new group of potential buyers and may just sell equivalent or better numbers than FPV...?

Also, as a side note, Mustang has always had a 'real' track pedigree which I've always liked; Ford US have always been heavily involved in motorsport, there are factory track packages available and Mustang even has it own race series.

If anything, Mustang will only be good for Ford Oz image. Of course I wish it was being sold alongside the Falcon, but that's life.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah difference is that most of us couldnt care how many Taurus/Mondeos they sell, they are not made here and they do not generate the jobs like the Falcon did locally during its good times. Pretty big difference.

Most of us? I couldnt care how many falcons are/were sold either
Comparing when big cars dominated the market to now isnt right.
Yeah the falcon generated jobs. But in the end it/buyers lost those jobs, times are changing and Ford is moving with them, there is no point making something that no one wants.

After all what badge is on the front of a falcon?

Anyway we all know opinions are like... everyone has one

[flappist]

An admin has asked to keep it on topic and stop the "points scoring".

Might be a good idea to do what he has asked.