Ford Motor Company’s global product development chief Derrick Kuzak .Coming to Austra

csv8 · 09-06-2007, 11:47 AM

Ford visit strengthens Falcon export rumours

Rumours the Falcon could have global appeal are gathering pace with the imminent arrival of Ford's global product boss, reports BRUCE NEWTON.

Ford Motor Company’s global product development chief Derrick Kuzak

A Ford executive with a key role in determining the long-term future of the Falcon will pay his first-ever visit to the company's Australian product development facilities next week.

His Australian visit has strengthened rumours that Ford Australia could export Falcons to key markets or supply technical know-how with large, rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

Derrick Kuzak is Ford Motor Company’s global product development chief, a role he has fulfilled for only seven months.

Reporting directly to Ford's global president and CEO Alan Mullaly, his task is to integrate the company’s vehicle design and engineering process.

During a two-day visit, Kuzak will tour Ford’s Melbourne and Geelong design and engineering facilities as well as the nearby You Yangs proving ground.

He will also sample a range of vehicles including the 2008 Falcon, codenamed Orion, which is due to be unveiled next March.

“Derrick is very important to Ford globally and Ford Australia and he will be given a thorough briefing regarding our facilities and products,” confirmed Ford Australia's public affairs manager, Sinead McAlary.

In essence, Kuzak is sorting out which arms of the global automotive giant will play what role in developing which vehicles.

Obviously, the recommendation he makes on which division takes the lead in developing a new generation of rear-wheel-drive vehicles is of vital interest here.

Ford Australia - which builds Falcon and the Territory 4WD-style wagon – is one of the few Ford divisions globally to have credible rear-drive experience, in much the same way Holden has positioned itself in the General Motors world as a rear-drive specialist.

In the United States, Ford builds a number of rear-wheel-drive models, including the Mustang sports car and the ancient, long-wheelbase Crown Victoria (and its Mercury and Lincoln derivatives).

Ford Australia is already a recognised design and engineering centre for the corporation, helping develop the Fiesta sedan for India and the T6 light commercial vehicle for global markets.

If Ford Australia gets the lead role - or sizeable share - in a future rear-drive program, it should boost the chances of retaining a local manufacturing presence in Australia.

It could even lead to the return to production of the Fairlane, which is being discontinued in 2008 because of low local demand and a lack of export markets to sustain it.

No doubt Ford Australia boss Tom Gorman will point out to Kuzak that cross-town rival Holden is already General Motors’ global homeroom for affordable rear-wheel-drive architecture. The VE Commodore and the technology that underpins it is being exported globally.

The impetus for that came from Bob Lutz, essentially Kuzak’s opposite number at GM. And while Ford Australia is playing down the importance of Kuzak’s visit, the fact is that Lutz backed a global role for Holden after touring its facilities in February 2002, viewing early VE designs and sampling vehicles at the Lang Lang proving ground.

Miyagi · 09-06-2007, 12:03 PM

Ford finally standing up to take notice of the marketability of the Ford sedans on a global scale? woo!

I guess they really had to if GM had drawn some rather large strategic conclusions on how they were going to look at the VE platform.

Shut down all those SUV poppin Ford US factorys and push the AU products global.

:

**Polyal** · 09-06-2007, 12:15 PM

He probably just wants a little holiday. Watch the red carpet come out!

fou_bleu · 09-06-2007, 12:45 PM

Prepare for exports!!!

If our cars are faster, more fuel economical, why not?!!!

:

crYnOid · 09-06-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordman6

Prepare for exports!!!

If our cars are faster, more fuel economical, why not?!!!

:

Because Ford NA want the profits from the panther platform to keep on rolling in. No exports to the mid east or NA until 2011 at the earliest. That decision was made before Mulally arrived and kicked Ford NA into shape but it is too late for FoA.

ltd · 10-06-2007, 11:07 AM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Salient point but Mulally is there primarily to change the companys misfortune by renegging several of the deals alread done. Essentially, he is taking on the auto unions and changing the company breaking pension scheme, changing the way Ford manufacture, and changing the focus on all derivatives under the one hat. What you will find is that if a falcon were to be exported, it would most likely be assembled in the states, and there would be several pressings and components made in the USA. V8 Engines, diffs, ABS modules, wheels, disc rotors etc would all be manufactured in the USA by either ford or its suppliers. This cuts the cost of freight for the CKD units and also alleviates some of the supply problems ford would encounter supplying the NA market. Bear in mind, Ford USA would probably buy 20,000 cars a month just to supply the police force, cabs and other various industries not to mention the private buyer. Ford Aus would need to have a factory 5 times the size of broadmeadows just to keep up; so I'd say that one of the points at this meeting with Derrick would be to work out supply arrangements. Also, Ford USA equally can't just close factories and lay off thousands in the USA as there would likely be civil unrest and the company would resultantly be boycotted and targeted by the media. I'd say that ford will lay off some, close one or two factories and change the pension scheme which gives workers a pension for life after a certain amount of years at the company. For all intents and purposes, the factory in michigan which makes crown victorias could soon be like the factory in homebush that just assembled lasers. Remember as well, ford expects that Orion will sell a whole lot more than crown vic, and if it is seen to be built in America it will escape the negative attitudes that the holden/pontiac encountered.

All in all, it looks like good news for ford oz and its suppliers.

Bossxr8 · 10-06-2007, 01:06 PM

According to GoAuto, Kuzak has been in discussions with us down here for a while now, seeing where our platform fits inside Ford Worldwide.

Ford are already going to close 7 plants in North America within the next 2 years. They are moving some production to Canada, where they don't have to pay health benefits, and Mexico where they can get cheap labour. They really needed to do this because of their massive overcapacity.

yanknbank · 23-06-2008, 03:24 PM

Derrick Kuzak was in Australia recently (early May I believe) with some other interested parties from Ford US. I might have missed it here on the forums, but was there any feedback from anyone as to the outcome of his visit?

GTP534 · 23-06-2008, 06:49 PM

Tom Gorman is long gone! The Ford Australia boss is now Bill Osborne. He seems to really believe in the Falcon and what Ford Australia can offer.

GS608 · 23-06-2008, 07:27 PM

way to go thread digging, over a year old this one...

The Stylist · 23-06-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR-CHIEF

way to go thread digging, over a year old this one...

It was a legit question, and I too would love to know what the outcome/feedback of the Derrick Kuzak visit was.

CAMS290 · 23-06-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Ford visit strengthens Falcon export rumours

Rumours the Falcon could have global appeal are gathering pace with the imminent arrival of Ford's global product boss, reports BRUCE NEWTON.

Ford Motor Company’s global product development chief Derrick Kuzak

A Ford executive with a key role in determining the long-term future of the Falcon will pay his first-ever visit to the company's Australian product development facilities next week.

His Australian visit has strengthened rumours that Ford Australia could export Falcons to key markets or supply technical know-how with large, rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

Derrick Kuzak is Ford Motor Company’s global product development chief, a role he has fulfilled for only seven months.

Reporting directly to Ford's global president and CEO Alan Mullaly, his task is to integrate the company’s vehicle design and engineering process.

During a two-day visit, Kuzak will tour Ford’s Melbourne and Geelong design and engineering facilities as well as the nearby You Yangs proving ground.

He will also sample a range of vehicles including the 2008 Falcon, codenamed Orion, which is due to be unveiled next March.

“Derrick is very important to Ford globally and Ford Australia and he will be given a thorough briefing regarding our facilities and products,” confirmed Ford Australia's public affairs manager, Sinead McAlary.

In essence, Kuzak is sorting out which arms of the global automotive giant will play what role in developing which vehicles.

Obviously, the recommendation he makes on which division takes the lead in developing a new generation of rear-wheel-drive vehicles is of vital interest here.

Ford Australia - which builds Falcon and the Territory 4WD-style wagon – is one of the few Ford divisions globally to have credible rear-drive experience, in much the same way Holden has positioned itself in the General Motors world as a rear-drive specialist.

In the United States, Ford builds a number of rear-wheel-drive models, including the Mustang sports car and the ancient, long-wheelbase Crown Victoria (and its Mercury and Lincoln derivatives).

Ford Australia is already a recognised design and engineering centre for the corporation, helping develop the Fiesta sedan for India and the T6 light commercial vehicle for global markets.

If Ford Australia gets the lead role - or sizeable share - in a future rear-drive program, it should boost the chances of retaining a local manufacturing presence in Australia.

It could even lead to the return to production of the Fairlane, which is being discontinued in 2008 because of low local demand and a lack of export markets to sustain it.

No doubt Ford Australia boss Tom Gorman will point out to Kuzak that cross-town rival Holden is already General Motors’ global homeroom for affordable rear-wheel-drive architecture. The VE Commodore and the technology that underpins it is being exported globally.

The impetus for that came from Bob Lutz, essentially Kuzak’s opposite number at GM. And while Ford Australia is playing down the importance of Kuzak’s visit, the fact is that Lutz backed a global role for Holden after touring its facilities in February 2002, viewing early VE designs and sampling vehicles at the Lang Lang proving ground.

How old is this news ?

needaXYGT · 24-06-2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

How old is this news ?

I think the article in question was written late last year, well before Kuzak's visit. I do remember reading that particular piece. I was hoping that someone with a bit of inside knowledge as to what happens out at Broadmeadows, might be able to offer some sort of insight as to what Kuzak thought Ford Australia's position in the Ford empire might be and also what were his impressions of the local Ford product.