Disaffected By Ford Ending Local Manufacture ?

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by GTP owner

So i added up all of the options, and in the end i am cranky with ford for the loss of one of their better cars, so i have signed up for a clubsport. I will also probably continue with the red brand for now too. Sorry Ford, you lost me as a customer.

so you are a falcon fan - the falcon brand was not going to be around after 2016 - whether ford manufacture local or not
so, i think you fit into the 2nd group of people on my list
the falcon is not around, so you are looking elsewhere - it wouldn't matter if ford chose to make the focus or kuga or anything else here; it seems to me that you are cranky that the falcon is gone


of course my 3 examples are fairly broad, and the world is not black and white, but to me you fit into the 2nd option

the problem with going red from now on too, is that the car you are buying is not likely to be around after 2016-8 anyway - nor are they likely to keep manufacturing here, so changing for your reasons, doesn't make sense to me . . . at present anyway (depending on what gm aus are told to do)

[prydey]

Originally Posted by GTP owner

I dont think you are completely right.
I am a Falcon fan (and capri, customline, escort, and sierra), but not the current crop of non-falcon cars on the showroom floor. Just been through the process of deciding what to replace my BF xr6t with - it;s done 200,000km. It is my third xr6t.
So i added up all of the options, and in the end i am cranky with ford for the loss of one of their better cars, so i have signed up for a clubsport. I will also probably continue with the red brand for now too. Sorry Ford, you lost me as a customer.

doesn't make sense to me. people talk as though ford have already left and the falcon is gone! FG2 XR6T is a damn fine machine. i'd also buy a GS or GT over a clubbie any day. Falcons are still being made and a new model is due next year, so not quite sure why you are cranky.

ford could have kept the announcement until august or september 2016 and you would have been none the wiser.

or perhaps you were always going to switch brands and now you can blame ford, because that seems trendy?

don't get me wrong, clubbie is no doubt a damn fine car (ugly.. but fine) but ford didn't make you decide to buy one. thats your choice.

[CyberWasp]

When do we get to see what the 2014 Model looks like?
Mazda have released the 2014 Mazda3 so why can't we see some more teasers at least.

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

When do we get to see what the 2014 Model looks like?
Mazda have released the 2014 Mazda3 so why can't we see some more teasers at least.

They're still tweaking it. I'm gonna see if I can get some more details out of a couple of mates who are on the grad program there some time this week.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by prydey

so you think an enthusiast forum is an accurate snapshot of the real world? how many falcon buyers (new) are on here? what percentage of new falcon buyers are forum members who actually contribute their experience to the forum? if someone surveyed 1%of the population and used those results as conclusive evidence, they would be laughed at, and yet on here, there is always the same people who bag ford at every opportunity who think a small enthusiast forum is an accurate snapshot of the real world.

do yourself a favour and look up the sales graphs that russell so kindly does. you will find the trend in the 2 large cars to be pretty much the same. the boss of that 'other' company has also been quite vocal lately regarding sustainable production in this country, so i'm not sure how anyone can point the finger at falcon. perhaps ford don't like just surviving using a fair portion of govt funds.

as for the other forum cheap shot, its the same as your opinion on most other things. you only really know your own little snapshot but think you can speak for everyone.

Prydey, I've bought new Falcons just like you, and I agree with what Danielxr8 is saying.

I bagged the **** out of the falcon constantly.. I'm well know for having done it. But my reasoning was not because I hated the car or my cars, because they're fine. But somewhere somehow I hoped that by airing my grievances would coax others out of the woodwork. With all the evidence on the forum, and gripes about the perceived quality it was hoped that perhaps ford pr (of whom we know hang around) would acknowledge the general opinion, and perhaps try to action it.

My reasoning for becoming so angry and frustrated at the usual morons who claim that they do not require a falcon which is comparable to everything else, and that the falcon is okay as is, is because these people are NOT joe public. Nowadays, the people who reject technology and innovation are a dying breed. They are not and were not helping anyone by praising a product which was so far behind even the cheapest Kia Rio.

It's the equivalent of walking through a Somali village and saying that they have enough food.... Stupid if you ask me. Head in the sand, and therefore I agree, they fought for nothing, these folk just sat and watched ford kill the falcon with inaction, while they sat back and told everyone how great it was..

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Danny

I bagged the **** out of the falcon constantly.. I'm well know for having done it. But my reasoning was not because I hated the car or my cars, because they're fine. But somewhere somehow I hoped that by airing my grievances would coax others out of the woodwork. With all the evidence on the forum, and gripes about the perceived quality it was hoped that perhaps ford pr (of whom we know hang around) would acknowledge the general opinion, and perhaps try to action it.

i guess i take a different approach. if i'm not happy with a product, i contact the manufacturer and discuss my issues with them. its a novel approach i know but perhaps you should try it some time.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by UberKnee

About $150k brand new...and people blame imports for stealing away Aussie buyers...

Really? So the cheap imports (helped by the high aussie dollar & little to no tarrifs) hasn't made people have a look...regardless of ride quality.

People don't really care about handling and comfort anymore. Its more about pointless gadgets and more distractions while they're driving.

[GTP owner]

Originally Posted by prydey

doesn't make sense to me. people talk as though ford have already left and the falcon is gone! FG2 XR6T is a damn fine machine. i'd also buy a GS or GT over a clubbie any day. Falcons are still being made and a new model is due next year, so not quite sure why you are cranky.

ford could have kept the announcement until august or september 2016 and you would have been none the wiser.

or perhaps you were always going to switch brands and now you can blame ford, because that seems trendy?

don't get me wrong, clubbie is no doubt a damn fine car (ugly.. but fine) but ford didn't make you decide to buy one. thats your choice.

No I would prefer a ford. The gs was $10, 000 more than what I am paying and has a lower rent interior and puddly brakes. The Xr6t was a real possibility but I have had enough of driving a six for now. I wanted a v8 again. Why should I support a company that does not support jobs here ?

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by vztrt

People don't really care about handling and comfort anymore. Its more about pointless gadgets and more distractions while they're driving.

Rubbish..
People care more about handling and comfort than ever. Why else do so many car makers send their cars to tracks to be precisely set up for handling. Even luxury makers (Jag, BMW, Mercedes, Audi) send their uber luxury range toppers to the Nurburgring for handling set up.

How many journos comment that many cars are too rigid in setup that they're at time uncomfortable during normal street driving but when at a track they shine?

The Ford Focus and Fiesta are cars they are class leading in regards to handling and comfort and their sales reflect that. The Golf GTI is another example, not the most powerful car but handles well. The list goes on.

People need to get over the fact that cars are now packed with technology, it is not a bad thing; only a bad thing to those who are too uptight to adapt.
Your comment regarding people not caring about handling and care more about gadgets are not everyone and those people have always been there (if they were the majority then the Hyundais and Kias would be number 1 sellers). The sales chart don't forget is dominated by fleet buyers. where they used to buy local sedans they have moved to hatches, 4x4 utes and SUVs.

[Danny]

All of you people who sneer at the "pointless toys and gadgets" - most of these pointless toys and gadgets started off as amazing innovative, game changing and well acclaimed options on Mercedes Benzes, BMW's and Volvos. Now Joe and Jenna average (who, mind you, have never been able to afford anything more than $30-$35k new) can have themselves a new car with all of the same nice things for less than a base Falcon that has NONE of those things.

How is it fair, to cut anyone down for wanting that? It isn't. /story

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Rubbish..
People care more about handling and comfort than ever. Why else do so many car makers send their cars to tracks to be precisely set up for handling. Even luxury makers (Jag, BMW, Mercedes, Audi) send their uber luxury range toppers to the Nurburgring for handling set up.

How many journos comment that many cars are too rigid in setup that they're at time uncomfortable during normal street driving but when at a track they shine?

The Ford Focus and Fiesta are cars they are class leading in regards to handling and comfort and their sales reflect that. The Golf GTI is another example, not the most powerful car but handles well. The list goes on.

People need to get over the fact that cars are now packed with technology, it is not a bad thing; only a bad thing to those who are too uptight to adapt.
Your comment regarding people not caring about handling and care more about gadgets are not everyone and those people have always been there (if they were the majority then the Hyundais and Kias would be number 1 sellers). The sales chart don't forget is dominated by fleet buyers. where they used to buy local sedans they have moved to hatches, 4x4 utes and SUVs.

Funny enough there are plenty of small fleet cars. They are going off cost. People are buying the 4x4 utes they are uncomfortable and don't handle. As for small cars they're not nice to sit in I really haven't been in one that felt nice, and unless you buy top spec (on some) really don't go great if we look at the top sellers. SUV's (with the exception of Terri and the euros) aren't all that great in the handling.

These are cars I'm seeing people buy. Handling and comfort really wasn't a consideration for them.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by GTP owner

Why should I support a company that does not support jobs here ?

That excuse is so lame .......
How do you survive in this world by not supporting imported manufacturers
Even a hermit ,living under a rock ,out in the sticks is supporting imported manufacturing ...

Your buying the GM product because ford don't offer something you want, that's all
Its not because of aussie jobs,is it ???

[GTP owner]

Originally Posted by 302 XC

That excuse is so lame .......
How do you survive in this world by not supporting imported manufacturers
Even a hermit ,living under a rock ,out in the sticks is supporting imported manufacturing ...

Your buying the GM product because ford don't offer something you want, that's all
Its not because of aussie jobs,is it ???

It's not lame , it's my choice and my money. I'm buying the gm product because it is what I want and because of Aussie jobs. I will buy Australian and support local where I can. That's my choice. Your suppositions about my motives are wrong. That is fine. You can buy what you want. I won't judge you....

[UberKnee]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Really? So the cheap imports (helped by the high aussie dollar & little to no tarrifs) hasn't made people have a look...regardless of ride quality.

People don't really care about handling and comfort anymore. Its more about pointless gadgets and more distractions while they're driving.

Even the cheap imports handle fine for what they are; simple cars. Not everycar is meant to be a boy racers wet dream.

Aircon was once a pointless gadget...

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by GTP owner

It's not lame , it's my choice and my money. I'm buying the gm product because it is what I want and because of Aussie jobs. I will buy Australian and support local where I can. That's my choice. Your suppositions about my motives are wrong. That is fine. You can buy what you want. I won't judge you....

Your money,your choice
But the ole "Buying aussie made to save aussie jobs"
Its getting so old and tiring ,when 90 % of our possessions are O/S made

[GTP owner]

Originally Posted by 302 XC

Your money,your choice
But the ole "Buying aussie made to save aussie jobs"
Its getting so old and tiring ,when 90 % of our possessions are O/S made

Yup, I agree. It's tiring. And now we don't have the Falcon. That makes me cranky, which is not what a manufacturer wants to do to a customer that has purchased 5 new Fords in the last 12 years.

[Kieran]

Originally Posted by 302 XC

Your money,your choice
But the ole "Buying aussie made to save aussie jobs"
Its getting so old and tiring ,when 90 % of our possessions are O/S made

If you could point to some facts that convinced me that losing manufacturing jobs from Australia will do no harm to our economy, and that everyone who wants a job will still be able to get one, then I'll begrudgingly agree with you.

But until then, "old and tiring" doesn't mean it's wrong - you're just sick of hearing it. Until then, "buying Aussie to save Aussie jobs" will continue to be the thing that I hope will give my kids more job options in the future, and a more diverse economy that can weather the dips in coal prices, etc.

I AM disaffected. I was one of the lucky buggers who won a day at the You Yangs Proving Ground a while back. It truly was one of the best days of my life. But the announced closure has left me with a heavy heart because my brand loyalty is tied up with local manufacture.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Funny enough there are plenty of small fleet cars. They are going off cost. People are buying the 4x4 utes they are uncomfortable and don't handle. As for small cars they're not nice to sit in I really haven't been in one that felt nice, and unless you buy top spec (on some) really don't go great if we look at the top sellers. SUV's (with the exception of Terri and the euros) aren't all that great in the handling.

These are cars I'm seeing people buy. Handling and comfort really wasn't a consideration for them.

hmm more opinionated than fact.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Kieran

But until then, "old and tiring" doesn't mean it's wrong - you're just sick of hearing it. Until then, "buying Aussie to save Aussie jobs" will continue to be the thing that I hope will give my kids more job options in the future, and a more diverse economy that can weather the dips in coal prices, etc.

I trust you're not forgetting that Ford will still have Aussies employed in design and engineering post 2016 ...

Global brand or not, it is almost imperative for any company wanting to enter into the Australian market to create Australian jobs. Who's going to sell them when they get here? Ford have gone one better and maintained a design studio right here in Australia which, unless I'm very much mistaken, is the design HQ for Ford in the Asia Pacific region.

Ford are not leaving Australia. The closure of manufacturing in Australia isn't the end of the world.

[Rodge]

^^ And it is a pretty serious committment, about 1500 jobs from memory. That and the three year notice period eases the pain a bit...but you can't blame people for feeling sad and a little disenfranchised, after all that's over 50 years of history coming to an end...

I'm still feeling pretty disappointed but I guess as each day goes by the shock of the announcement diminishes somewhat and we come to terms with what from a business case perspective, was always perhaps inevitable, sooner or later. I guess its better to have a long period of notice than no notice at all.

I was gutted at the start but as each day goes by I accept it a bit more and feel more settled and fortunate to have enjoyed some very good cars over the years. Current one is pretty special too Visiting the Holden dealer the other day was quite a cathartic experience for me. Dealer was quick to express his sadness that their main competitor is ending and I could tell just looking his face, he knew bloody well Holden were on borrowed time too. VF being so much like a blown up bulbous Epica helps me feel much better too

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by UberKnee

Even the cheap imports handle fine for what they are; simple cars. Not everycar is meant to be a boy racers wet dream.

Aircon was once a pointless gadget...

They are 'fine for what they are'. They are cheap a to b cars which the majority of the public are happy with.

Originally Posted by Wretched

hmm more opinionated than fact.

Same as your comments.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by Kieran

If you could point to some facts that convinced me that losing manufacturing jobs from Australia will do no harm to our economy, and that everyone who wants a job will still be able to get one, then I'll begrudgingly agree with you.

But until then, "old and tiring" doesn't mean it's wrong - you're just sick of hearing it. Until then, "buying Aussie to save Aussie jobs" will continue to be the thing that I hope will give my kids more job options in the future, and a more diverse economy that can weather the dips in coal prices, etc.

Losing aussie manufacturing is hurting aussie jobs,im not blind....
But ,when 90 % or more of our daily lifes don't exist without an import product influence, that measly 10 % , new car purchase (10% if your lucky,that you buy every few years or so) is hardly worthy of doin the bit for saving the ailing aussie industrial hub ...
Factories, manufacturing has slid down the shute for decades, throwing the life line out now ,isn't gunna do a thing in the big scheme
Every needs to get the daily influence of aussie products around the 50 % for it to be effective to reflaoting the industrial hub, which will never ever happen in my life time
The writing has been on the wall for decades, yet we have all be blinded by cheap imported rubbish to see it .....

Ill thank those who wanna do their bit and buy aussie products, but the truth is the majority don't really care any further than the hip pocket
If the imported product is cheaper, wether better or not, cheaper its usually bought , regardless of future jobs .....
That's the facts,people buy purely on cost, not brand related or caring for country of origin
We all do it , none is exempt from it , we all have our finger in the pie regarding the huge failure of Australia as a once thriving industrial hub

[turbo4me]

Originally Posted by GTP owner

No I would prefer a ford. The gs was $10, 000 more than what I am paying and has a lower rent interior and puddly brakes. The Xr6t was a real possibility but I have had enough of driving a six for now. I wanted a v8 again. Why should I support a company that does not support jobs here ?

So when GMH cease manufacturing in Aussie you are going to buy?

[GTP owner]

Originally Posted by turbo4me

So when GMH cease manufacturing in Aussie you are going to buy?

At that point it won't matter anymore will it ?

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by GTP owner

At that point it won't matter anymore will it ?

There could still be Toyota.

[Barnaby]

One door closes another opens. Cant wait to see a local Mustang, might even see the rules change so we see them in V8 SC? Nice to to see modern Ford tech go up against the rest of the world's latest.

[pottery beige]

I am a dinosaur.. majority of my cars are dinosaurs..

/throws shopping in boot of 30yo Falcon dinosaur..

/ dinosaur

[SumoDog68]

According to Joe Hinrich ( one of Ford US Bosses) main two reasons for Ford OZ closure are isolation of the market and removal of tariffs Which flooded the market with cheap cars.
So Button plan was meant to make locals more competitive infact pushed them out of the market...
Ford Canada is safe for now even though it is high cost manufacture area but not isolated and not tariff free.

[UberKnee]

What I dont get is the supposed Falcon fans who support Falcon but have now sworn off of buying a Falcon despite the fact its still on sale for another 3 years...

[CyberWasp]

What I don't get is the Chrysler 300C / Dodge Charger / Dodge Challenger.

Chrysler seem do be doing ok with that platform. It is a large RWD vehicle sold in many markets around the world. It may not be making sales records but must be viable because it is still there.
I saw one behind a FG yesterday and it looks a lot larger. In some ways when you see the current Falcon next to other cars on the road it is not all that large.

Did anyone see the Episode of Overhaulin the other week with the 300C.
The Chrysler execs spoke of passion and heritage of the 300C when they were handing the vehicle over. I just sighed. They have passion for their car.
Car companies like Hyundai would kill for a vehicle in their range to have 50 years of heritage.

Chrysler have supercharged Hemi motors coming and rumors of the Dodge Charger coming to these shores built with the 300C interior to minimise the cost.

I just having a grumpy we got rorted start to the day.