Ford Australia public affairs director Sinead Phipps told Drive: “We have no plans to

[Pepscobra]

Thanks Gaela for the kind update. I look forward to reading Russells factual summary on the current situation later today.

TBH, the previous thread was poorly constructed, speculative and only served to unsettle an already nervous community. We don't want or need anymore bs or rumors please.

Long live FoA and the Falcon.

Peace.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

TBH, the previous thread was poorly constructed, speculative and only served to unsettle an already nervous community. We don't want or need anymore bs or rumors please

Exactly, this is a Ford Forum, not a Womens Day mag...

[Geez Louise]

Thanks for letting us know Gaela. Good to see Ford do visit the forums.

We won't have to wait much longer, as I am sure russellw will inform everyone shortly of what he knows and then hopefully the speculation can end.

Cheers
Col

[russellw]

Good evening

As noted above, we have had direct communication this morning with FoA on the topic of FPV and the future direction of that joint venture.

The current state of play is that there are no immediate plans in relation to FPV (with the exception of the limited edition to be announced shortly) and the recent changes to the management at FPV were a result of a restructure of the business in light of their current sales volumes and profitability.

Discussion is on-going in terms of the model mix which includes the (long standing) debate over XR8 and/or GS but given the lead times in such things it will be some time before anything comes from those discussions.

Likewise, as one would expect in any business of this size, there is continuous on-going review of every part of the business and that includes joint venture arrangements such as those with Prodrive but the lead times are equally lengthy on those.

I'll take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the admin team for the error of judgement shown in the thread from yesterday. The information provided was from a number of normally reliable resources but it would appear that they were incorrect.

It's unfortunately one of the issues we have faced since the Geoff Polites era during which we had direct access to Ford management and could check rumours first hand - even if sometimes the answer had to be translated by reading between the lines. Since that time we have had to gain our information from anonymous insiders mixed with some tea-leaf reading.

On the positive side is the fact that we have gained a direct contact within Ford where we can ask these questions cohesively although that needs to be tempered with the knowledge that some things will always be kept quiet for corporate reasons.

Cheers
Russ

[DJR-351]

No worries Russ and thanks for the clarification, kudos on re establishing the link to Ford....

And tell Spooly not to fret, even if the message is incorrect shooting the messenger is still bad form.......

[sprint347dave]

spooly spooly spooly,,,thanks for the nightmares i had last night,,dreamt someone took all my cars

[yift]

at least Ford Australia has 4 more years now.

[Geez Louise]

Thanks for the update russellw. Great news that you now have a direct contact at Ford.

[My poor XF]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

Thanks for the update russellw. Great news that you now have a direct contact at Ford.

Agreed. Let's hope we see a more open and forthcoming FOA.

[Rodge]

Thanks Russ. Lets be done with any future speculative threads, its been done to death allready.

[stazza]

Originally Posted by csv8

From DRIVE 28/06/2012

The 315kW supercharged V8 used in the GS would have to meet stricter Ford reliability standards if the car were to wear Falcon XR8 badging.

Sorry but how has the GS been proven to be unreliable? It's the same motor as the GT, so wtf?

[Perko]

Great update and good long term outcome. A closer tie with Ford can only mean that so called "inside" information can be confirmed. This can only be a good thing for the forum. Go hard Ford!

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by stazza

Sorry but how has the GS been proven to be unreliable? It's the same motor as the GT, so wtf?

Don't worry about it, it's just Drivel pulling more non-existent facts out of their .

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by shonkymofo

Good to hear



Not really helpful, and is it even true?

FPV's have to pass every single durability test as every other Ford on the planet.

And just remember that previous FPV's were badged as Fords, it hasn't somehow changed just because they now put FPV badges on them, they have always had to pass the same tests and still do. Why do some people think it takes so long to get things like wider tyres on sale, from what i've heard it takes close to 18 months-2 years to get things from drawing board to production, every change has to be put through all the One Ford testing again.

[robbo/region15]

[quote=Bossxr8]FPV's have to pass every single durability test as every other Ford on the planet.

And just remember that previous FPV's were badged as Fords, it hasn't somehow changed just because they now put FPV badges on them, they have always had to pass the same tests and still do. Why do some people think it takes so long to get things like wider tyres on sale,

Plus the rest!!!
Initialy you need to get through the PPAT,add to that FMEA,Add to that change of suplier etc...........

[mr smith]

If this aint damage control from Ford (I bet there are some insiders twitching in their seats as well) I'll eat my PC.
Yesterdays news may have cut way to close to the bone.

[Pepscobra]

Originally Posted by mr smith

If this aint damage control from Ford (I bet there are some insiders twitching in their seats as well) I'll eat my PC.
Yesterdays news may have cut way to close to the bone.

You might be onto something. But lets just leave it at that before another 'skys falling in' rumour starts.
I'm happy to believe what Russell has posted until such time as another official statement has been made by FPV.

[spyvidman]

i have seen a black supercharged falcon testing at the you yangs a couple weeks ago. an it sounds awesome a quite loud.

[robbo/region15]

Originally Posted by mr smith

If this aint damage control from Ford (I bet there are some insiders twitching in their seats as well) I'll eat my PC.
Yesterdays news may have cut way to close to the bone.

Maybe,but you never get inside news from within Broady as they are kept in the dark too,albeit Barry rd or the bus park building further up the road,add to that Futuris,Dana ,Continental volumes there receiving is minimal,its all here say,we can speculate as much as we want ,but will never see the Joe Frazier Left Hook coming....

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by GT

FORD read last nights thread that was closed and the Forum Members angst and the comment of them not being as transparent as they could be, for Consumers and Australian Business Community, has prompted them to personally phone Russell this morning. He is in Melbourne busy working but will be posting tonight with the summary of his talks this morning. It would be inappropriate for me to comment but he will do so when home in his usual factual and direct way.

I do know that they want us all onside and Russell now has direct contact with them anytime it is needed.

This is IMO a great move forward and a positive step from FORD who recognise that the AFF is one of the main players in their support network. Good on them!

Gaela

Wow. That is just great to see that Ford Australia recognizes the passionate community. And it makes me that bit more proud and privileged to be a member of this forum. I'm sure that there isn't a man or woman here who wouldn't have an idea to brainstorm, or time and effort to volunteer to help Ford Aus save our beloved Falcon. We may be only able to do things in a focus group/survey kind of way, or perhaps in other ways. But we'd all be glad volunteers I'm sure.

Maybe FoA can spare one Falcon for AFF's members on a community build, like what Nissan is doing in the U.S. Then sell it for charity at shannons or something. Or display it at AIMS?

Anyway... I'm ranting, enough of me.

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Why do some people think it takes so long to get things like wider tyres on sale, from what i've heard it takes close to 18 months-2 years to get things from drawing board to production, every change has to be put through all the One Ford testing again.

My comment can be attributed to hindsight, but engineers are supposed to account for these kinds of things.

If you're adding more power, how will the traction/grip, and stopping power be affected? Wider tyres should have come with the new engine.

[Cashie]

Originally Posted by russellw

Good evening

It's unfortunately one of the issues we have faced since the Geoff Polites era during which we had direct access to Ford management and could check rumours first hand - even if sometimes the answer had to be translated by reading between the lines. Since that time we have had to gain our information from anonymous insiders mixed with some tea-leaf reading.

On the positive side is the fact that we have gained a direct contact within Ford where we can ask these questions cohesively although that needs to be tempered with the knowledge that some things will always be kept quiet for corporate reasons.

Cheers
Russ

Thanks for the update Russ, I fondly remember the hype and the buzz we had here at AFF in the early BA days, when Geoff Polites used to grace us with his input. Used to even checkup on delivery dates of member cars. These were proud days.

[morak001]

Originally Posted by au2000

or find a leak in their office perhaps with some mis- information?

I was thinking this...

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Cashie

Thanks for the update Russ, I fondly remember the hype and the buzz we had here at AFF in the early BA days, when Geoff Polites used to grace us with his input. Used to even checkup on delivery dates of member cars. These were proud days.

Sadly I wasn't here for that time. But even more sad is Geoff is no longer with us. FoA could use someone like him right now.

[Venomous1]

Thanks for the heads up Russel.

Dearest FOA -

"Take note killing names and dictating what your customers should buy
will only alienate your customer".

Some simple tips:
Revive XR8 return the XR8 Ute.(315 kw)

Keep GS have 2 colours exclusive to GS. Bigger rims Std & optional Brembo's. Change badging to 335kw.

Remove GT-P Make regular GT the GT-P.
Change badging on 335 to a more realistic 351.

Return Super Pursuit Ute using facia from F6 utes. GS engine.
Scrap Gs Ute (Xr8 replaces)

Other than that your vehicles are great pieces of engineering a true Blue Aussie effort.

[Mr_4.0]

Deleted...

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Venomous1

Thanks for the heads up Russel.

Dearest FOA -

"Take note killing names and dictating what your customers should buy
will only alienate your customer".

Some simple tips:
Revive XR8 return the XR8 Ute.(315 kw)

Keep GS have 2 colours exclusive to GS. Bigger rims Std & optional Brembo's. Change badging to 335kw.

Remove GT-P Make regular GT the GT-P.
Change badging on 335 to a more realistic 351.

Return Super Pursuit Ute using facia from F6 utes. GS engine.
Scrap Gs Ute (Xr8 replaces)

Other than that your vehicles are great pieces of engineering a true Blue Aussie effort.

and I sya again bring back Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia..but cann't use Ghia. Titanaium.. Titanium makes more sense than G6E.. Buyers know what they are..Just like BMW buyers know what a 3/5/7etc series are

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by csv8

and I sya again bring back Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia..but cann't use Ghia. Titanaium.. Titanium makes more sense than G6E.. Buyers know what they are..Just like BMW buyers know what a 3/5/7etc series are

Do you honestly think that because Ford sell G6E's instead of Fairmont Ghia's they are deciding to go and buy suv's or Focus, Mazda3's.. et al.. instead?

[Jason[98.EL]]

thanks for clearing it up russ


Just a thought here russ

maybe we could use the moderated thread for topics that are only hearsay with no news artical to back them up

going from memory that thread/sub forum needs to have all the post's checked from yourself or other admin

now that you have a contact at Ford Au before the thread is posted you can check out the riliability of what the person is trying to post up I know that it will make more work you guys but it should keep things at bay till you can look into them

Jason

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Do you honestly think that because Ford sell G6E's instead of Fairmont Ghia's they are deciding to go and buy suv's or Focus, Mazda3's.. et al.. instead?

What I meant was, people know what a Fairmont is..ask anyone, do you know what a G6 or G6E is,and you will get a blank look...

[RASER]

Originally Posted by csv8

Ford and FPV have been slow to recoup the $40 million investment in the supercharged V8 upgrade introduced in the GT Falcon in October 2010.

Who is doing the figures at HQ?

$40 million, bet they wish now they never did that now

At a high exchange rate, they could AND SHOULD have [like they will in the future] just imported the 5.8 SuperCharged V8 from the Mustang Shelby GT500

Would have cost bugger all v the $40 million wasted.

Perhaps the 5.8 Supercharged donk will find a home in a limited edition Falcon coming out in the future........