Crying Ford worker with Ford flag drives off...

[castellan]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Yes...I wasn't going to mention it, but everyone noticed that.

I'm reminded of the time the Gemini production plant in Brisbane closed, and the news story on the TV showed the workers leaving for the last time in an almost literally endless stream of Gemini sedans, coupes, vans, and wagons...nearly every worker seemed to own one from the years they were produced.

I remember seeing a TV special about Mercedes, and once again, the workers car park was chockers with Mercedes cars. At the time (early 1990's) the workers got a sweet deal of 50% off the normal purchase price of a Mercedes (keeping in mind Mercs are a lot cheaper in the first place in Germany and lower models are just taxis). The only proviso was that they had to sign an agreement that they wouldn't sell the car for a minimum of two years to stop people scamming it by buying and reselling the cars.


And really, while I feel sorry they lost their jobs, the Ford workers had a few years to prepare and get ready...not even counting people who left smiling saying they got several hundred grand as a payout...which is more than most workers get, which is a couple of weeks at most. Sometimes people turn up on monday morning to locked gates and a receivers notice hanging on the door. They should be very careful about how much they whinge.

And yes, the guy in the TV example driving the Hilux might own one because "a Falcon won't do what he wants"...but a Ford Ranger would.
Of course given the staggering cost of Rangers when you add one or two options, you can't blame people for going for something else. We would have had a Ranger...loved the look of them...but when (as we did) you want a diesel auto 4x4 twin cab with a few extras and are looking at a price well up nearing $65,000, something like a Triton for well over twenty grand cheaper looks like a good deal....

When you work out what the workers got payed back in the Gemini building days it was nothing like 2000 on and I think they may of got good deals on them Gemini cars as well for working their.

I think many years ago you mainly had to have the car product of the company you worked for to park it on the site or you were regarded as some what a traitor to the company, maybe a s--- kicker it was somewhat ok but not up in the ranks it was a no no.

[pursuit57]

Originally Posted by Bill M

If all the forum Falcon fans and Ford employees bought Falcons it still would be a drop in the ocean. Falcon needed to sell big numbers to the great unwashed not just a small niches.

Whether that Ford employee drove a Falcon or not he did his bit by working there and most of them did for decades. To pick at him is small minded.

well said Bill...

[DJR-351]

Where does he live?? many

[LTDHO]

I pointed it out to my girlfriend. All the cars I saw leaveing were everything bu a Ford, yet they complain to not have a job.....
Even buing second hand helps maintain a demand, what's a 10 year old Falcon worth?

I have 5 big Fords, sure none are new but they work down the chain, so there are no reasons a Ford employee wouldn't or shouldn't own one.

I support my employer to generate sales, I guess its hoping to keep demand and so I keep a job.

[JG33]

No point in doing big sooky la la because Ford workers didn't buy Fords. The demise of the Falcon is one thing but the demise of our local car manufacturing is a HUGE other. Purchasing of Ford cars by their employees would have made no difference.

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Please advise where the "All Aussie" Hardware store is located?

If I need paint I go to the paint supply. We have a good tool shop in Geelong and if you go looking most items can be purchased at dedicted supply shops that support trade workers.

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by STINKY NINJA

Second dumbest thing ive read/heard today...


I actually do get it, that's why what your saying is such a load of tripe!
Why cant you be a proud aussie and drive a foreign car,what law prevents that from happening,only the weird backward laws in your brain matter.
People driving Honda civics and rice burners with aussie flag stickers are the reason the falcon died bahahaha

I don't think you get it.

[littlered]

I noticed the same thing on the news when the closed down Lonsdale and Tonsley Park... employees driving away in anything but a Mitsubishi...let alone a Magna or 380

But you cannot blame them because the company they work for insists on manufacturing a car that has a very limited market. IMO the 4 door sedan market for any manufacturer is dead or dying as the traditional family 4 door sedan or wagon is now replaced by either an SUV... a 4WD or a dual cab ute. That is what people are now buying.

Keep in mind that even if they could build one of these it still would not have saved them due to

1. with the number of manufactures and models we have to chose from no one model can be produced in numbers required to be profitable unless an export market is given by the parent company and most importantly
2. With the free trade agreements that has given Australia very cheap cars any manufacturer would be nuts to invest here when they can make more $$$ from increase volume due to cheaper sale price and cheaper costs from lower wages by taking an option like Thailand.

Very sad but that's globalisation for you.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

No it wouldn't. Ford dropped the ball big time (in so, so many ways, this is just one example) by not seeing the booming popularity of twin cabs many years ago and maybe...dare I say...pouring money into locally developing one of them instead of developing the Territory....

They didnt see the twin cab boom? No the T6 program and latest ranger and the one coming after that...being built in multiple plants all over the world at 3 shifts per day and selling everything was an oversight.

[mik]

Its a different world today , and Australia is a different country , the majority of people dont give a toss about brand or supporting the country , only what ticks the boxes for their particular situation , and in a a sense you cant really blame them .
Why should they ,
people only follow their leaders lead , and for years its been fairly obvious our illustrious powers that be ..... havent given a toss about manufacturing , and here is the proof of the pudding !!!

To anyone that says its down to ford oz`s decisions that got it closing the doors , you should ask Yourself why holden has been running at loss for years , and toyota too has been also , and the only reason toyota managed to pay the bills is because toyota was in a position to be able to export a world car and keep the Australian branch above water ..

Every year it got harder to compete with over seas importers , at every opportunity the powers that be sunk the boot in to local industry a bit further making the playing field even more lop sided to the importers favor .

i was in the motor industry in 70`s , i could see this **** happening back then , it stood out like dachshund scrotem .
As for people supporting Ford oz or any Australian industry , why would they , when was the last time anyone heard an Australian pollie say we need to buy Australian and really mean it ?????
Australian manufacturing was torpedoed by Australians , not by importers .
Thats my view and no one will change it .

[pursuit57]

slightly off thread but related to....

With what's been happening in the USA with drop in Mustang sales and temporary closure of plant (see attached thread below by forum member Express), the wait in OZ for our version of the beast will be longer...

The slump in Mustang sales due to increase Camaro sales didn't happen overnight, so wonder if USA Exec's looked at the option of building RH drive models here at Broadmeadow for OZ and export where applicable - or at least the final fitout of the units ?
Some of you might recall the Detomaso's were imported 80% built and the 351C + drivetrain, some suspension and seats etc fitted here.
Yes a big outlay for Mustang tooling if built from scratch but could have saved part of the workforce now looking for jobs and possibly make the Mustang cost bit cheaper - if not the same.
I'm sure there is most probably other $ reasons etc but just putting it out there for comments (or criticism )

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...90#post5786890

[Sabantien]

Originally Posted by pursuit57

slightly off thread but related to....

With what's been happening in the USA with drop in Mustang sales and temporary closure of plant (see attached thread below by forum member Express), the wait in OZ for our version of the beast will be longer...

The slump in Mustang sales due to increase Camaro sales didn't happen overnight, so wonder if USA Exec's looked at the option of building RH drive models here at Broadmeadow for OZ and export where applicable - or at least the final fitout of the units ?
Some of you might recall the Detomaso's were imported 80% built and the 351C + drivetrain, some suspension and seats etc fitted here.
Yes a big outlay for Mustang tooling if built from scratch but could have saved part of the workforce now looking for jobs and possibly make the Mustang cost bit cheaper - if not the same.
I'm sure there is most probably other $ reasons etc but just putting it out there for comments (or criticism )

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...90#post5786890

Not such a bad idea, it would also give the opportunity to add some local flavour (turbo barra 'stang?), but if you think aussies are parochial, can you imagine the uproar from the local US people/unions if they sent a car as iconic as the Mustang anywhere else to be even partially built?

[pursuit57]

Originally Posted by Sabantien

Not such a bad idea, it would also give the opportunity to add some local flavour (turbo barra 'stang?), but if you think aussies are parochial, can you imagine the uproar from the local US people/unions if they sent a car as iconic as the Mustang anywhere else to be even partially built?

Agree totally, but they haven't exactly whined about all the sales and money Ford Aust have sent back over to the land of the Eagle....and the govt funding that was injected into THEIR company.
Oh well, all over now highly unlikely that anything will turnaround - but, not sure what the resurrection of Tickford is all about as it's early days.
Not sure if it will be Ford Oz, USA, privately run or a joint venture ??

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by pursuit57

but, not sure what the resurrection of Tickford is all about as it's early days.
Not sure if it will be Ford Oz, USA, privately run or a joint venture ??

Private, Tickford is Prodrive

[eb2fairmont]

So guy looses his job, after spending many years putting together falcons and all we can collectively comment on is that he drives a hilux.

I think we have misguided priorities here people... Even though I get the irony of it.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by pursuit57

slightly off thread but related to....

With what's been happening in the USA with drop in Mustang sales and temporary closure of plant (see attached thread below by forum member Express), the wait in OZ for our version of the beast will be longer...

The slump in Mustang sales due to increase Camaro sales didn't happen overnight, so wonder if USA Exec's looked at the option of building RH drive models here at Broadmeadow for OZ and export where applicable - or at least the final fitout of the units ?
Some of you might recall the Detomaso's were imported 80% built and the 351C + drivetrain, some suspension and seats etc fitted here.
Yes a big outlay for Mustang tooling if built from scratch but could have saved part of the workforce now looking for jobs and possibly make the Mustang cost bit cheaper - if not the same.
I'm sure there is most probably other $ reasons etc but just putting it out there for comments (or criticism )

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...90#post5786890

If only they let us Aussies have a crack with assembling and adapting CKD kits of their American range (Explorer, F-series, Edge). All they need is to send panels, wheels, bumpers, engines and non LH/RH specific components and we could do the rest.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

If only they let us Aussies have a crack with assembling and adapting CKD kits of their American range (Explorer, F-series, Edge). All they need is to send panels, wheels, bumpers, engines and non LH/RH specific components and we could do the rest.

That how our auto industry started. Assembling imports.

[XWGT]

Why? Still be more expensive to assemble here than to build in Thailand and import

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Bill M

That how our auto industry started. Assembling imports.

CKD makes perfect sense. Well designed platforms could bring this one step further and make multiple vehicles possible on the same assembly line (Falcon/Territory). Localisation could be easily achieved with locally produced bolt-in components.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

CKD makes perfect sense. Well designed platforms could bring this one step further and make multiple vehicles possible on the same assembly line (Falcon/Territory). Localisation could be easily achieved with locally produced bolt-in components.

Isn't that what they were already doing?

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Isn't that what they were already doing?

Ford Australia weren't doing CKD for Territory and Falcon. CKD means "Completely Knocked Down", meaning all the main components of the car are made elsewhere and get imported. The local factory just unpacks these boxes, and bolt them together, and adds their own local content where needed (electrics, plastics, looms, glass). This is a common practice is South East Asia, and companies get local tax incentives or waivers for doing this rather than bringing in complete cars. This keep the local industry in business and puts food on the table for the locals.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by mik

Its a different world today , and Australia is a different country , the majority of people dont give a toss about brand or supporting the country , only what ticks the boxes for their particular situation , and in a a sense you cant really blame them .
Why should they ,
people only follow their leaders lead , and for years its been fairly obvious our illustrious powers that be ..... havent given a toss about manufacturing , and here is the proof of the pudding !!!


i was in the motor industry in 70`s , i could see this **** happening back then , it stood out like dachshund scrotem .

Standing out like a dachshund scrotem.......

But seriously, back in the early 80s from my memory mining was not as big as now, and there was a much bigger focus on local manufacturing.

In the 2000s mining hit its straps, and money was washing through the community and State/federal governments as a result.

I wonder if that mining money cushion caused Australia to become complacent about the local manufacturing industry.

Seems the only answer the Federal Government can do is to pump taxpayer money into industry via military acquisitions and demanding local manufacturing input- ie the submarines and JSF fighter.

Makes me wonder what is the difference that we the taxpayer prop up local industry in the car industry or in short term military contractors involved in submarines/JSF?

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Ford Australia weren't doing CKD for Territory and Falcon. CKD means "Completely Knocked Down", meaning all the main components of the car are made elsewhere and get imported. The local factory just unpacks these boxes, and bolt them together, and adds their own local content where needed (electrics, plastics, looms, glass). This is a common practice is South East Asia, and companies get local tax incentives or waivers for doing this rather than bringing in complete cars. This keep the local industry in business and puts food on the table for the locals.

Good series of posts. Unfortunately, doing this won't occur to anyone with power in Australia until US Carrier battle groups are dodging missiles somewhere between Guam and Taiwan...

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

CKD makes perfect sense. Well designed platforms could bring this one step further and make multiple vehicles possible on the same assembly line (Falcon/Territory). Localisation could be easily achieved with locally produced bolt-in components.

Its not that easy. Plant would need lots of money pumped in to it.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

CKD makes perfect sense. Well designed platforms could bring this one step further and make multiple vehicles possible on the same assembly line (Falcon/Territory). Localisation could be easily achieved with locally produced bolt-in components.

Noble thoughts but given the limited understanding that Australians have of manufacturing it is not a vote winner. The Americans have a better grasp of this than we do here.
Bill.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Standing out like a dachshund scrotem.......

But seriously, back in the early 80s from my memory mining was not as big as now, and there was a much bigger focus on local manufacturing.

In the 2000s mining hit its straps, and money was washing through the community and State/federal governments as a result.

I wonder if that mining money cushion caused Australia to become complacent about the local manufacturing industry.

Seems the only answer the Federal Government can do is to pump taxpayer money into industry via military acquisitions and demanding local manufacturing input- ie the submarines and JSF fighter.

Makes me wonder what is the difference that we the taxpayer prop up local industry in the car industry or in short term military contractors involved in submarines/JSF?

A sound business would have both on the books. I worked for an Engineering Co that did just that and more.

[BENT_8]

Australia needs to design and build its own range of cars independantly.

We have the workforce available to pull it off, we have the factory floorspace, the support networks.
What we need is someone to stand up and make Australia count for something.

Right now the clowns we vote for are tossing up wether to have a vote on same sex marriage whilst our Auto industry is crumbling before our eyes.
If they want us to vote on something worthwhile, lets vote on pouring tax payer dollars into design and manufacture of our own Australian cars.
100% local content.

Then as a country we need to get back to the mindset that the people who built this country had, buying Aussie made and being proud of the product, not buying some import piece of **** because its trendy or new.

We can make small cars, we can make SUV's, we can make dual cabs, utes, V8's and so on and so on.

Australians are weak as **** who believe their own BS and justify it with the party line to seem educated.

Look at the umpiring in the AFL, we all know its rigged, yet we still roll up and pay $30 to see it, boycott a few rounds and see who takes notice.
Look at V8SC, we all know its rigged, yet we still roll up every year and pay the $80 to see it, boycott a few rounds and see who takes notice.
Look at the price of fuel, we all know were getting ripped off, yet we still roll into the petrol station and pay $30 more for a tank than we should, dont buy it for a fortnight, catch a train or bus or walk or cycle and see who takes notice.

Australia, stand up for something FFS before its too late.

Our forefathers would be disgusted with what weve allowed this country to become.

Australia, the lucky country. Yeah, lucky to still be noticed.

[getabout]

Sad about the jobs but at least many people will be saved from having crappy cars! My wife and I have two Fords..only because they are cheap. If we'd been able to afford it we would've gone with jap reliability.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by getabout

Sad about the jobs but at least many people will be saved from having crappy cars! My wife and I have two Fords..only because they are cheap. If we'd been able to afford it we would've gone with jap reliability.

Then why the hell are you here d/h

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by getabout

Sad about the jobs but at least many people will be saved from having crappy cars! My wife and I have two Fords..only because they are cheap. If we'd been able to afford it we would've gone with jap reliability.

Tool Of The Week contender right there.