No guarantees falcon here to 2016 and mustang relesaed a year early in 2015

[BHDOGS]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/b...-1226846546743

FORD is rolling new car models into Australia earlier than expected, but says it might shut down local manufacturing earlier than initially planned.

Ford announced in 2013 that car making at its Broadmeadows and Geelong plants would close in October, 2016.

But the company has since cut 300 workers, citing a downturn in sales.

Ford Australia boss Bob Graziano said on Thursday the sales trend meant local production was not a certainty in the next two-and-a-half years.

However, that didn't mean Ford would close dealerships and stop selling cars.

"We'll continue to match our production with demand," he told reporters while visiting a Ford dealership in Melbourne.

"If you are looking for a guarantee, there are no guarantees. It is our intent to work to (October 2016)."

Since announcing its production closures, Ford says it has moved 20 out of more than 1000 manufacturing workers into new jobs in the company.

About 20 marketing professionals will also be hired to support Ford's plans for promoting local sales.

The company says it expects to be Australia's largest auto employer by 2018, including employing about 1500 skilled employees across fields such as engineering and design.

Nine Australian auto suppliers have found new business in Ford's global operations, too.

Mr Graziano stressed that the company was committed to launching its refreshed Falcon and Territory models later in 2014.

The Mustang will also be rolled into dealerships by 2015, a year earlier than expected, and the Mondeo will also make its Australian debut.

Mr Graziano said the new Mustang should attract its own drivers and not overlap with Falcon enthusiasts.

"It's a car, quite honestly, that I've had people ask me about since I arrived here three years ago," he said.

Victorian Manufacturing Minister David Hodgett said he was confident Ford would give its "best efforts" to stick with its manufacturing shutdown dates.

"Ford still expects to be Australia's largest automotive employer, which is great news for the Victorian economy," he said.

[Hawkeye84]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/b...-1226846546743

About 20 marketing professionals will also be hired to support Ford's plans for promoting local sales.

If only they hired in Sydney - It was my dream in High School to work Ford in Marketing, but alas, Head Office is in Victoria.

Not looking good for the Falcon and Territory - hopefully sales will pick up once the new models launch and the reasoning for such low productions now is because everyone is waiting on the new models.

Exciting news for the Mustang!

[nuthin' fancy]

double post

[nuthin' fancy]

We're being softened up for a very early departure.

It will mean significant discounting of discontinuing product.

When's the new XR8 out?

[JC]

Have they confirmed which Mustang variants we will get here?

Gonna be interesting having 1500 employees and that will be largest auto employer in Oz - space between desks at broadmeadows will be huge...

[Mighty Reds]

Originally Posted by JC

Have they confirmed which Mustang variants we will get here?

I think Europe is getting the GT and Turbo 4 (both with performance pack standard), so I would assume Australia would be the same.

[Trump]

Why am I beginning to think we won't even see the FH or whatever its been tagged?

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Why am I beginning to think we won't even see the FH or whatever its been tagged?

Mr Graziano stressed that the company was committed to launching its refreshed Falcon and Territory models later in 2014.

It will come, but it's lifespan will be...truncated.

[Trump]

They were committed to manufacturing in Australia, then they were committed to building until October 2016, now they intend to...

I don't believe Graziano. At all.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

They were committed to manufacturing in Australia, then they were committed to building until October 2016, now they intend to...

I don't believe Graziano. At all.

More to the question, how committed are buyers to the next Falcon?
If sales are luke warm, you'd hardly expect Ford to hang around.

[Herrod Motorsport]

Bring on world platform

[nuthin' fancy]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

They were committed to manufacturing in Australia, then they were committed to building until October 2016, now they intend to...

I don't believe Graziano. At all.

I think he's playing with a reasonably straight bat but sales of Terrors and Falcons are dropping like a stone so it will only end one way.

They are committed to the FH though, but they won't be making them for long.

[mr smith]

My pick is production to end by mid '15.

[P6LTD351]

They HAVE to release the FH. I don't know why people still ask this question. It has already been funded by the state and fed govts. Ford are obligated to release.

Whether that's for a month or a year is anyone's guess...but please, do we need more people doubting the release of the FH? FH is coming and it will be awesome.

[Blem]

FH will come with NO bell or whistles.
Unless they have too much gear stockpiled but given JIT I doubt it.

[Iggle Piggle]

Originally Posted by Mighty Reds

I think Europe is getting the GT and Turbo 4 (both with performance pack standard), so I would assume Australia would be the same.

GT is a 5.0 NA, yeah?

I know I've said this before, but I just can't see them offering a 5.0 SC XR8 Falcon at the same time as a 5.0 NA Mustang GT.

Given Mustang is the future of their performance cars (long-term) surely they would avoid an overlap where, when Mustang is launched, it is out-muscled by the local sentimental favourite for even a short period of time.

Just doesn't make sense (to me) for Mustang to not be the most powerful car in their line-up when it is launched. Maybe not most powerful ever offered, but most powerful at that point in time.

Or will there be a small number of "more-than GT" to cement the new hero's status?

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by Iggle Piggle

GT is a 5.0 NA, yeah?

I know I've said this before, but I just can't see them offering a 5.0 SC XR8 Falcon at the same time as a 5.0 NA Mustang GT.

Given Mustang is the future of their performance cars (long-term) surely they would avoid an overlap where, when Mustang is launched, it is out-muscled by the local sentimental favourite for even a short period of time.

Just doesn't make sense (to me) for Mustang to not be the most powerful car in their line-up when it is launched. Maybe not most powerful ever offered, but most powerful at that point in time.

Or will there be a small number of "more-than GT" to cement the new hero's status?

Mustang name is good enough. It will sell even if its top speed was 80 km/h.

If the best car outshines the other, how come Commodore has outsold Falcon for 16 + years? How come Corolla sells more than Focus etc etc.

I will be buying a Mustang whether it is slower than a Falcon or not. Not much I can do about 60 km/h speed limits.

I do see where you are coming from though.

[Joe5619]

I'm not sure how any of this is new "news"?? Right from the beginning they have said, "we are building until Oct 2016, IF THE DEMAND IS THERE" & Mustang was always coming here in 2015!!

[40RDT]

Im looking forward to seeing the new GT mustangs when they arrive in around 12 months or so, arent they going to be quicker / faster than the current boss 302's?

[b0son]

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

Mustang name is good enough. It will sell even if its top speed was 80 km/h.

Must be a generational thing... I'm not quite yet in my 40s and the Mustang name has no appeal to me. TBH, I suspect those for whom the Mustang name does mean something, are probably not far off retiring and getting a caravan/camper, not a mid-life crisis-car.

If Ford think they can simply sell on the basis of the name, I think they may be in for a rude shock.

[neptune blue]

I don't think the mustang is going to lead the recovery for Ford in Australia like it did in the states

Like any new coupe introduced into the australian market there will be an initial demand but sales will slow as they have for all large coupes regardless of the marques

Quite frankly after the falcon is gone I don't know if I will ever buy a non australian ford

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by b0son

Must be a generational thing... I'm not quite yet in my 40s and the Mustang name has no appeal to me. TBH, I suspect those for whom the Mustang name does mean something, are probably not far off retiring and getting a caravan/camper, not a mid-life crisis-car.

If Ford think they can simply sell on the basis of the name, I think they may be in for a rude shock.

The Mrs and I are just into our 30s and are very excited at the prospect of being able to buy a new EcoBoost or V8 Mustang. Maybe one of each?

Mustangis one of the most popular names in the world. It's about time Ford capitalized on it globally.

It won't bring success in volume of sales, but it will be a great halo car!!

[Mighty Reds]

The Mustang wont be a huge seller it will be Ford's halo car in Aus, surely getting people into the dealerships will be one of its objectives.

[CyberWasp]

Ford are not working to a date in time with Falcon they are working with a number.

My understanding is they had to stockpile Automatic Transmissions so there is "magic number" that have to be built.

The Falcon pretty much ends once that number has depleted as they probably can't sell the quantities they need to keep manufacturing going with Manual Transmission cars.

It is probably the same for the V8 Engines too.

[sixman]

Does that mean no new tech, no new zf, just sheet metal changes and blown v8 now has an xr badge??

Disappointing if if turns out like this. Why even bother.

[csv8]

CyberWasp...and the number is ?? average sales 550 a month x 12 months is 6,600 Falcons to be built ???
And its a sales success..what then ?????????? opens up a Pandora's Box...more orders than can be built ?????

[Dr Smith]

See, they cannot write any more stories with doom and gloom on whether Ford et al will have to decide if they keep manufacturing or close down local production as it's now fact they all will. So they now shift to negative press on whether Ford can stay open until it's stated Oct 2016 shutdown. The press seems to ignore that Holden is selling 5 times more VF's and IS STILL closing while Toyota with the smallest local R&D outlay is ALSO closing. So even if Ford quadrupled it's sales of Falcon, it cannot make any money doing so....and will never do so. What company would maintain production knowing what is in store, we do need to give some credit for Ford's behaviour here and the 2-3 years notice for it's staff. Look at Qantas for the exact opposite behaviour and it controls 65% of the bums on seats locally?

[au2000]

Originally Posted by sixman

Does that mean no new tech, no new zf, just sheet metal changes and blown v8 now has an xr badge??

Disappointing if if turns out like this. Why even bother.

all accounts thats exactly what it will be, the fh is to go ahead cause of government funding that would have to be repaid if it did not..

[dirtyclevo]

Originally Posted by Iggle Piggle

GT is a 5.0 NA, yeah?

I know I've said this before, but I just can't see them offering a 5.0 SC XR8 Falcon at the same time as a 5.0 NA Mustang GT.

Given Mustang is the future of their performance cars (long-term) surely they would avoid an overlap where, when Mustang is launched, it is out-muscled by the local sentimental favourite for even a short period of time.

Just doesn't make sense (to me) for Mustang to not be the most powerful car in their line-up when it is launched. Maybe not most powerful ever offered, but most powerful at that point in time.

Or will there be a small number of "more-than GT" to cement the new hero's status?

Well this is australia! and it is an australian car

I think that people would love the local car being the most powerful.

when the mustang comes out you'll see all the ford haters and anti-australian's flocking to the ford dealerships to have a look see and probably buy one, and then drive around thinking they are top ****, when previously they hanged **** on fords. but then people will call you a bogan because you drive a v8.

hypocrites.

[Bossxr8]