Ford will close early (Herald Sun)

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by csv8

Maybe honest was the wrong word ,maybe more forthcoming???

They have been not very kind to the Falcon .... that is for sure ..... but I still think they have been as forthcoming as they can? I don't think they owe anyone anymore information about their future than what has been published and said already?

I am sure there is quite a bit they are not telling us, but as briefly mentioned above, they have probably been more open than Holden and Toyota showing their hand earlier when the others most definitely had made their future closure plans ...... and like every other company in the whole wide world ..... there is no need to lay all their cards on the table publically.

When everything is said and done ..... they only need to appease their shareholders in the end. Not the general public, in a business sense/

[mr smith]

New model will come but the plant will be shut by the middle of 2015.

[Auslandau]

Possibly ..... if no one buys the FH they may be forced into a position but 12 months for a model, cant see it myself. October 2016 gives the FH exactly 2 years both Terry and Falcon.

[Franco Cozzo]

They won't see out to 2016 and you can quote me on that,

I'm predicting late 2015 tops.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by xr6turbo270kw

Guys
Ford Australia will stop production in March 2015, mark my words march next year look back at my post today.

I'll probably forget, so could you please save the post so that you can come back in March next year and say " I told you so!"

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by tempted

Ford has gone back on their words so many times now that I am on a 'believe it when I see it' basis with them now.
It wasn't that long ago that they were 'committed to building cars in Australia for the long term'.

I dont know about that really. Unless I have had my head in the sand they really haven't gone back on anything but have been honest with slightly limited info? I cannot recall how long ago or when that statement from Ford was made? 2016 is still 2 years off and that was announced some time ago?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by tempted

Ford has gone back on their words so many times now that I am on a 'believe it when I see it' basis with them now.
It wasn't that long ago that they were 'committed to building cars in Australia for the long term'.

Of course if you want some 'gone back on their word' quotes, how about Mike Devereux's '10 year plan' statement, about this time last year.


From Australian Manufacturing.... http://www.australianmanufacturing.c...holden-reveals

"but Holden insists they will continue to push ahead with their 10 year plan set out in 2012.

“Holden set out a 10-year manufacturing plan that was agreed with the Australian Government in 2012, based on the economic and market conditions at that time. That plan would see Holden invest a billion dollars in this country and secure production of two all-new global vehicles out to 2022,” said Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mike Devereux."

[mr smith]

New model will see a spike in sales for the first two or three months but a drop off after that.

[Bossxr8]

That's what i'm thinking too, it will spike early but once the gloss wears off it will sink fast. I'm guessing that's why Ford cut production numbers so heavily for the downbalance in June, to stretch production out for long enough to keep the demand in front of supply.

I'm guessing the people who get in early will have long wait times to get their Falcon, and initial demand will only be matched with small supply. Maybe Fords way of keeping the line running for a while until supply can catch up?

[xr6turbo270kw]

Guys
Ford Australia will stop production in March 2015, mark my words march next year look back at my post today. US financial year runs from January to December they will declare a massive loss make big tax breaks for the losses then shut up shop. In regards to the government grant ford legally need to make one unit of F? To fulfil the grant.

[Lotte]

There seem to be a lot of people with crystal balls in this thread.

Ford has said nothing about leaving earlier than their initial date given. Nor have they blindly said they'll definitely stay till 'x' date (which could work against holden/toyota if they have to shut up shop earlier than promised).

This article is merely speculation, probably based on the opinion of somebody who probably has the same crystal ball as everyone else seems to.

12 months ago we were all rallying against the doom and gloom. Now we've fallen into it.

Rather than buying into the media hyped doom and gloom, why don't people get excited about the FH? And when it's gone, it's gone. We can't control it, so there's no point speculating about it. Let's celebrate it while it lasts.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Lotte

There seem to be a lot of people with crystal balls in this thread.

Ford has said nothing about leaving earlier than their initial date given.

They haven't said anything to the public.

[Elks]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

They haven't said anything to the public.

Ford have issued a statement which is published in The Age today "that they no plans for and early closure and are on track to be here until October 2016.

So this just Union officials scaremongering because Ford are not letting them in on everything. Shame on the Herald-Sun for running a story like this without fact checking.

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

They haven't said anything to the public.

They haven't said anything to anyone about closing earlier. So, yeah. Point proven.

Speculation is all that's going on here.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Lotte

They haven't said anything to anyone about closing earlier. So, yeah. Point proven.

Speculation is all that's going on here.

I know someone at Broadmeadows and that's not what I've been hearing, so what the PR team tells the media and what is actually going on are two different matters.

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I know someone at Broadmeadows and that's not what I've been hearing, so what the PR team tells the media and what is actually going on are two different matters.

I know several people that work there as well. I'm not hearing any different.

I used to work at a manufacturer supplying ford, Holden and Toyota. 3 years ago we were talking about how the doors would be shutting in twelve months due to a lack of manufacturing contracts, the company is still there. Doom and gloom had always been speculative on the floor.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Lotte

There seem to be a lot of people with crystal balls in this thread.

Ford has said nothing about leaving earlier than their initial date given. Nor have they blindly said they'll definitely stay till 'x' date (which could work against holden/toyota if they have to shut up shop earlier than promised).

This article is merely speculation, probably based on the opinion of somebody who probably has the same crystal ball as everyone else seems to.

But Ford have stated it is their intention to stay till 2016, but they have also said there is no guarantee and if sales sink low enough they will close earlier if need be, or if a supplier goes bust and they can't source parts anymore. They have never guaranteed anything. And the way they go about it, doing basically zero to promote and sell Falcon and Territory, it's not hard to see they are happy for it to drop off into oblivion, and then blame low sales for leaving early.

That is what Dave Smith has picked up on, and he would know, he meets with them a few times a week. Trust me, he knows more than we all do.

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

But Ford have stated it is their intention to stay till 2016, but they have also said there is no guarantee and if sales sink low enough they will close earlier if need be, or if a supplier goes bust and they can't source parts anymore. They have never guaranteed anything. And the way they go about it, doing basically zero to promote and sell Falcon and Territory, it's not hard to see they are happy for it to drop off into oblivion, and then blame low sales for leaving early.

That is what Dave Smith has picked up on, and he would know, he meets with them a few times a week. Trust me, he knows more than we all do.

The first paragraph is basically what I was saying.
And yet all the "they'll be gone by this date" in this thread is still speculation.

There's nothing stopping ford closing earlier. They were smart about it, they didn't guarantee they'd stay till the end of 2016. Just that that was their intention to do so. Hell, Ford can't know what's in store for them over the next two years - that's why a guarantee was never made.

Dave Smith probably does know more about the plans than we do, I'm not doubting that. however this is nothing we didn't already know - we always knew it was likely they'd shut earlier. There's an article in this thread saying the opposite from others who'd know more than we do as well, so who do we listen to? He still doesn't know for sure what is around the corner.

Like I said, why doesn't everyone just celebrate the last falcon while we have it driving off the production line; rather than trying to turn when they're going to shut down into something to place bets on.

[turbo4]

I just hope that they give some warning if they choose to shut the doors early. the plan is to buy an XR8 in mid 2016, hopefully that will be possible.

[Paull]

Originally Posted by turbo4

I just hope that they give some warning if they choose to shut the doors early. the plan is to buy an XR8 in mid 2016, hopefully that will be possible.

That was my plan too but if finances are in order, I plan on buying in March of next year. I just don't have confidence in FoA manufacturing past mid next year: will be a miracle if they are still going by Christmas next year.

[ILLaViTaR]

Is this story sourced from newscorp like 99% of our media is nowadays?? It's so easy to click a link, read something, and get emotionally caught up in it for a few seconds until you realize it's probably from newscorp.

[Wolfinsheepsclothing]

it seems a lot of forum members have a crystal ball (I hope Ford AU will hold on to 2016), I just hope the fh falcon is going to be a well put together car some newer tech and a better handling chassis, then bring on the stangs

[Sprint XR8]

Ford on track to stay until 2016

Ford has hosed down speculation it will pull-out of Australia earlier than expected, saying it's on track with its plan to continue to make cars here until 2016.

A union official said Ford had not been as clear on how long it intended to stay as Toyota and Holden had, according to a News Limited report.

"While Toyota and Holden seem to be quite genuine that they want to stay in Australia until 2017 and build cars, Ford's position is not as clear," Australian Manufacturing Workers Union vehicle division Dave Smith told News Ltd.

Car making at Ford's Broadmeadows and Geelong plants is due to end in October 2016.

A spokesman for Ford told AAP on Saturday the company had said consistently it was continuing its plan to continue to build cars locally until 2016.

"We're on track with that plan," the Ford spokesman said.

"It's been a year since we announced the plan. A lot of speculation has come and gone in that time."

Victorian treasurer Michael O'Brien said the report was union speculation.

"Ford have said nothing to the government to indicate there's any truth to that speculation at all," Mr O'Brien said.

"They've indicated no intention to have an early pull-out."

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/fo...426-zr00h.html

[jmack]

alot of these stories come from union sources which are mainly worried that the blood bank is drying up and soon their jobs will be on the line as wel.yes i am a paid up union member as well and have been for over 20 years

[Silver Ghia]

There is always a rumour mill on the floor of any company. Unless you hear it directly from a manager who is in touch with what's actually going on at the upper level, I wouldn't take too much notice.

[zoomie]

The union clown bosses wont have much to do post 2017, so i guess there trying to flex their drooping muscles whilst they still can.

[borough]

I have pretty much turned off these media reports now. Ford have made their decision and will shutdown the Broadmeadows and Geelong manufacturing plants between now and 10/2016. Soon after the announcement I decided I wanted to get one of the last Falcons before production ended. Now looking at the FG MK3 and how underwhelming it will be, basically an FG with the front and rear end of a Fusion, which in IMHO looks like crap, I will be keeping my money. Instead I have started to look back at all the great Falcons made over the years and have purchased an AU ute so I am able to experience something different to my FG.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by borough

I have pretty much turned off these media reports now. Ford have made their decision and will shutdown the Broadmeadows and Geelong manufacturing plants between now and 10/2016. Soon after the announcement I decided I wanted to get one of the last Falcons before production ended. Now looking at the FG MK3 and how underwhelming it will be, basically an FG with the front and rear end of a Fusion, which in IMHO looks like crap, I will be keeping my money. Instead I have started to look back at all the great Falcons made over the years and have purchased an AU ute so I am able to experience something different to my FG.

It will be the best looking Ford using the current design theme, imho and based on talking to guys involved directly who have, without fail, been honest in their thoughts to me on what they have done from late AU onwards.

Ford's president openly stated the last Falcon would not have the same level of new additions that went into the VF so we have known that for a long time know and lets remember Ford has spent half Holden's claimed budget on VF. As to how it compares to the current FGII, your thoughts on its styling etc.., and how it meets your plans in deciding whether it's worth buying then wouldn't it be just a case of waiting to see it in the flesh in your nearest dealer once it's out. Personal thoughts of a cars styling can only be determined when you're standing a couple of feet in front of the real deal and on comparing features by reading the actual final on-sale spec sheet. I don't understand how you can say your decision to not buy has been based on sneak peak shots, cgi's etc..... You cannot really decide on anything about the next Falcon until you have it on sale and can see it, touch it and smell it....oh and drive it.

[PepeLePew]

Isn't it in Dave Smiths interest as a spokesperson for the workers to NOT go to the media with these sort of tales which could impact consumer confidence in the Falcon and brand?

[CyberWasp]

I think the other interesting thing this year to watch out for is what happens to the Ford Racing Team in the V8 Supercars.
Will they pull out next year or continue for another?
That might hold some weight as to their intentions too.