Ford pulls out of Japan and Indonesia

[MethodX]

Didn't they try to give aus the old bubble Taurus in the 90's?

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Didn't they try to give aus the old bubble Taurus in the 90's?

Exactly. And there was talk then of whether or not the AU was going to happen.

[Windsor220]

It was obvious when the FG came out. Sales never recovered. Marketing stopped.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by NX74205

No, it isn't. Protectionism only results in fewer players in the market and less choice for the consumer, which in turn results in less competition and therefore less incentive to innovate and make better cars.

Foreign competition is a good thing.

Exactly. Now could you please step aside while we replace you at work with this guy on a work visa. Thanks.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Ford could if possible increase its stake in Mazda again.

Please no. Mazda don't deserve that.

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Please no. Mazda don't deserve that.

It seemed to work well last time...

Maybe they could import Trollers and be an SUV company.

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by tempted

Prior to 2013, if somebody stated that Ford would be ceasing manufacturing in Australia they would have been laughed at and called every name under the sun.
Well surprise surprise, look what happened.
I will happily resurrect this thread if and when my predictions come true.

You'll be waiting a while...

A couple of points you seemed to have overlooked when you made your prediction;

Anyone with half a clue following the industry was well aware prior to 2013 that Ford were more than likely to cease manufacturing here. It hasn't come as a surprise at all.

Indonesia and Japan are very different markets to Australia. Japan's is highly protected, and I'm not familiar with Indonesia but I'd bet Australia is the better market for high spec, high profit models.

Ford have a lot of heritage and history in Australia that may not seem to mean much right now, but is valuable nonetheless.


So here is my prediction - Ford will bounce back in Australia. Right now they're going through the difficult process of closing manufacturing - it's not good press, not a good look. A year or so after that process is through and all the dust has settled and people realise that Ford actually do still exist, I predict they'll hit the Australian market with a renewed and re-focused effort, and sales will increase accordingly. They'll never get back to where they were - Australia has moved on, but they'll always have their place in the market here.

Let's see who's right hey?

[EBSXR6]

It would have been interesting to see what successive government approaches to the Automotive Industry might have been if there was a large Australian owned Car manufacturer(s) in the industry.

[G6E Turbo 2]

The car industry in Australia has been rooted by governments who reduced tariffs for years and at the same time allowed countless players into he market with zero tariff protection based on free trade agreements.
Dumb , Dumb , Dumb

No we have to say goodbye to Ford Falcon

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by tempted

It's all easy to say when you look at it in hindsight, but at the time nobody truly believed that the manufacturing plants would close.

Wrong. The minimal product upgrades to Territory and arm twisting which led to the FGX development budget contributions from Ford US, the Vic State Gov and Aust Fed gov were very big indicators the closure was coming and had only been stalled before an election. Focus assembly was also canned. The decision to shut the Belgian plant cutting 60000 workers was also a clue that Australia with far smaller numbers was on borrowed time.

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Wrong. The minimal product upgrades to Territory and arm twisting which led to the FGX development budget contributions from Ford US, the Vic State Gov and Aust Fed gov were very big indicators the closure was coming and had only been stalled before an election. Focus assembly was also canned. The decision to shut the Belgian plant cutting 60000 workers was also a clue that Australia with far smaller numbers was on borrowed time.

60,000 workers,are you sure?

[mik]

It was obvious ford oz was on borrowed time decades ago if you ask me, no crystal ball needed , the other locals you could see them on the similar path a bit later , but it was plain to see ozzy car makers where on borrowed time sadly.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

60,000 workers,are you sure?

Fat fingers and an iPad don't mix, lol, 6000 might be closer the pin.

[Blem]

Originally Posted by blakef6

Its by no means a basket case. It isn't perfect, but the way world economics are, recessions are a normal part of the cycle. Japan is the 3rd largest GDP economy, and with an unemployment rate of 3.5% they are doing a lot better than most countries and the reason is because they have always protected their industries

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&r...54210707880601
Graph 7 & 8 are of most relevance.