Ford To Cut Thousands Of European Jobs, Close Factories In "Major Restructuring"

Syndrome · 10-01-2019, 11:27 PM

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-...-restructuring

Brazen · 11-01-2019, 09:03 AM

Wonder if Mondeo will survive. They will be fine though, there commercial vehicles make a money hand over fist

roddy1960 · 11-01-2019, 09:40 AM

Motor vehicle manufacture is changing in front of us ..

Things will never quite be the same ..

mike_nofx · 11-01-2019, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Motor vehicle manufacture is changing in front of us ..

Things will never quite be the same ..

Yep. Every car made by someone in Asia working for a bowl of rice a day.

Fast forward 150 years and it’ll be us working for that bowl of rice per day.

Wretched · 11-01-2019, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Yep. Every car made by someone in Asia working for a bowl of rice a day.

Fast forward 150 years and it’ll be us working for that bowl of rice per day.

Compared to Australian wages and cost of living it is but in each country some are considered on above average wages, so not really that bad for them.

Sprintey · 11-01-2019, 02:41 PM

I'm getting the feeling that the autonomous/electric future and 70% reduction in the size of the total car industry predicted by futurists is beginning.

If any of you like a particular type of car, grab it now and cherish it. Going to be very different in the future. My biggest curiosity is what happens if someone vomits in one of the ride sharing autonomous electric cars, how is that dealt with? Vomit sensors?

**anobserver** · 17-01-2019, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprintey

I'm getting the feeling that the autonomous/electric future and 70% reduction in the size of the total car industry predicted by futurists is beginning.

If any of you like a particular type of car, grab it now and cherish it. Going to be very different in the future. My biggest curiosity is what happens if someone vomits in one of the ride sharing autonomous electric cars, how is that dealt with? Vomit sensors?

We have been conditioned to use cheap debt to buy or lease progressively more expensive vehicles. Vfacts shows the hilux and ranger as best sellers. Thats a big cultural evolution from the days when mainstream media led with articles campaiging for a basic, australian made car without fancy extras. When buying a second hand fleet car, invariably a falcon or similar, was a big expense, and the imported small cars were exy as well.

Electric cars are going to be expensive, meaning less affordable for the average buyer. Maybe we will be forced into ride sharing, shared ownership and so on by coercive legislation.

https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2019...y-get-pricier/

I tend to think Sprintey is onto something here. The car companies are focussing on mobility solitions, whatever that means. I hope it isnt mass public transport and 'last mile' scooters and ride sharing...

The ongoing rise in the cost of ownership via imposed taxes and fees needs to be politicised in order to gain visibility and foster resistance. Meanwhile, petrol cars usage may well be demonized to pressure people into change, along with taxing owners into submission to dampen their resistance. No doubt plenty of shaming and pejorative labels will be involved.

As to cleaning costs ... there wont be any anonymous usage. So be easy enough to add a cleaning fee to the ride cost once something untoward is detected.

Blue Roo · 11-01-2019, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Yep. Every car made by someone in Asia working for a bowl of rice a day.

Fast forward 150 years and it’ll be us working for that bowl of rice per day.

Welcome to the new world of Globalization.

mike_nofx · 12-01-2019, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Roo

Welcome to the new world of Globalization.

Yes and the worry is, what will Australia’s contribution to globalisation be?

We pretty much don’t manufacture anything to export. We survive off coal and livestock. Yet are a country so concerned with pollution that I don’t know how long our coal industry even has.

As for the farming industry? China is busy buying up our farms, and greenies are busy banning live exports (not a bad thing, but certainly not good for the economy)

cheap · 12-01-2019, 07:43 AM

Every Ford employee is a negative cost to Profit. Therefore with the elimination of Ford’s entire workforce all that will remain is 100% profit. Simple plan, what could go wrong...

roKWiz · 12-01-2019, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Yep. Every car made by someone in Asia working for a bowl of rice a day.

Fast forward 150 years and it’ll be us working for that bowl of rice per day.

You mean a bowl of Soylent green.

jpd80 · 11-01-2019, 03:33 PM

jpd80 · 12-01-2019, 09:59 AM

My take is this,
outside of Ranger, Transit, Transit Connect, almost all of Ford Europe's products could be outsourced
to VW in LHD and RHD. Ford Asia pacific could seek a RHD alliance with Mazda and source it's own
versions of Mazda 3, CX-3 and CX-5 from the alliance plant in Thailand Even though Ford and Mazda's
partnering is ending, it may make economic sense to both continue in our region..

All of that thinking could be BS but in any regard, we're about to see a massive shake up as Ford.
We either get vehicles that better suit Ford's Aussie customers or just walk away from more sales.

kevino · 12-01-2019, 12:00 PM

So you don't think Ford Australia vehicles suit their customers...

Ecosport agree CX3 is better
Focus currently courtesy new model is better than Mazda 3.
Escape versus CX5 even and not even.

CX8 better than Endura probably.

Mondeo better than Maz 6 maybe.

Maybe Ford,s marketing is just utter crap!

Apart from people logging onto this and whirlpool forums and car advice /motoring.com etc for instance who would even know there is a new model Focus out and it even has new variants!

Syndrome · 12-01-2019, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Maybe Ford,s marketing is just utter crap!

The Ford brand is toxic.

BENT_8 · 13-01-2019, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndrome

The Ford brand is toxic.

This.

To anyone other than those who want a tough looking ute or the only iconic sportscar on offer.

Actually, to suggest Ford is toxic on a forum dedicated to the brand is not going to be received well so the best thing to do is ask the question....

Why i'snt the Ford brand toxic..?

Sprintey · 13-01-2019, 02:49 PM

Well I'm looking over stateside and the Ford brand certainly does not look toxic at all. There's new platforms, aluminium (al-oo-min-um) saving large amounts of weight; there's new economical petrol turbo motors; Lincoln is firing with great interiors; there's consistent SUV and truck design language that looks modern and appealing, while the chrome and straight lines suggest the bling and beauty of the 1960s. Same inside, perhaps better than the 1960s.

Please for the love of Henry bring all that here. I'd go Lincoln over Range Rover in a heartbeat.

We do have Mustang which has been a runaway success. Build on it. The only thing that could knock Landcruiser off it's perch as king of the bush would be an onslaught of massive, blinged Ford AWD SUVs and mighty big F Series utes, which they incidentally have in production and looking quite fine indeed. I mean, we've just swapped the Leopards for Abrams tanks so Uncle Sam does have some precedent in the bush...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLizogKBO0Q

BENT_8 · 13-01-2019, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Well I'm looking over stateside and the Ford brand certainly does not look toxic at all. There's new platforms, aluminium (al-oo-min-um) saving large amounts of weight; there's new economical petrol turbo motors; Lincoln is firing with great interiors; there's consistent SUV and truck design language that looks modern and appealing, while the chrome and straight lines suggest the bling and beauty of the 1960s. Same inside, perhaps better than the 1960s.

Please for the love of Henry bring all that here. I'd go Lincoln over Range Rover in a heartbeat.

We do have Mustang which has been a runaway success. Build on it. The only thing that could knock Landcruiser off it's perch as king of the bush would be an onslaught of massive, blinged Ford AWD SUVs and mighty big F Series utes, which they incidentally have in production and looking quite fine indeed. I mean, we've just swapped the Leopards for Abrams tanks so Uncle Sam does have some precedent in the bush...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLizogKBO0Q

An American company in a patriotic land, who'd have thought.

That doesnt cut it around the rest of the world.

I'll give them credit their offerings are quite often better than the competitors, what does that suggest..

From my perspective, Ford, in Australia atleast, have an identity problem in that they want to be seen as an upmarket company focussing on high end product but the people they entrust to provide customer service dont reflect these values.
People with warranty concerns shouldnt have to jump through hoops to get satisfaction, especially when many people are just looking for a reason to be offended and have every opportunity to let the world know about it.

jpd80 · 13-01-2019, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENT_8

This.

To anyone other than those who want a tough looking ute or the only iconic sportscar on offer.

Actually, to suggest Ford is toxic on a forum dedicated to the brand is not going to be received well so the best thing to do is ask the question....

Why i'snt the Ford brand toxic..?

Counterpoint,
It's doesn't even get to toxic, it's more like completely off the radar.

...as most non-Ford buyers are happy with the vehicles they have now
and therefore, zero reason to even consider a Ford car or SUV.

I believe that the market is very forgiving and if Ford begins to offer something,
anything that buyers are interested in then maybe sales will start to increase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Well I'm looking over stateside and the Ford brand certainly does not look toxic at all. There's new platforms, aluminium (al-oo-min-um) saving large amounts of weight; there's new economical petrol turbo motors; Lincoln is firing with great interiors; there's consistent SUV and truck design language that looks modern and appealing, while the chrome and straight lines suggest the bling and beauty of the 1960s. Same inside, perhaps better than the 1960s.

Please for the love of Henry bring all that here. I'd go Lincoln over Range Rover in a heartbeat.

The only thing we get out of North America is Endura and even then it's a modified UK version.
No, everything planned for us is somebody else's RHD vehicles that may or may not work here.

BENT_8 · 13-01-2019, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Counterpoint,
It's doesn't even get to toxic, it's more like completely off the radar.

...as most non-Ford buyers are happy with the vehicles they have now
and therefore, zero reason to even consider a Ford car or SUV.

I believe that the market is very forgiving and if Ford begins to offer something,
anything that buyers are interested in then maybe sales will start to increase.

Fair call but personally i believe Ford have an excellent range of products right now, they look cutting edge, the problem is people dont look twice regardless, the question is, why?
Theres two ways to increase market share in any sector, you either offer something the people would want and increase your numbers or your competitors leave the segment.
You cant rely on the latter and the former is in showrooms right now, so whats keeping the punters away.

I'll give you a clue, it starts with R and ends with eputation.

jpd80 · 12-01-2019, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

So you don't think Ford Australia vehicles suit their customers...

Yes.
Ford knows that advertising them is futile, that's why you don't see commercials for new Focus or New Endura

Marketing is different to advertising, marketing asks who buys our product and why.
Advertising is based on optimism that someone will buy your products if told about them..

kevino · 12-01-2019, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Yes.
Ford knows that advertising them is futile, that's why you don't see commercials for new Focus or New Endura

Marketing is different to advertising, marketing asks who buys our product and why.
Advertising is based on optimism that someone will buy your products if told about them..

Yes that's why the only advertising campaign I ever ran failed dismally.

So if Endura is a secret how will anyone know about it unless it is advertised?

Sprintey · 12-01-2019, 05:24 PM

cos people love to find out secrets

jpd80 · 12-01-2019, 07:05 PM

Maybe they will do a three-way SUV ad with Escape, Endura and Everest

Brazen · 13-01-2019, 12:24 AM

I think we will see drastic consolidation across the car industry, there are too many models being made. Does Ford need cars like a Fiesta or Focus or Mondeo? Or would they be better off focusing on performance, trucks and SUVs. These massive lineups of cars with billions in development and multiple factories are not sustainable. Lots of volume capacity will probably need to be cut across the entire industry.

Cars will also become more expensive in the process, but will be offset by lower whole of life costs as brands transition to EVs

I think the days of car makers filling every single segment will stop. Brands will pull out of segments they are not strong in and focus on core models. So we will see the end of a dozen competitors in a single segment (such as small hatches) but instead will have three or four big players.

jpd80 · 13-01-2019, 03:58 PM

Ford Aus is chained to terrible global products, until that changes, nothing else will.
The pace of change on that front is glacial due to big problems with Ford Europe.

New Focus is here finally but will it change the way buyers feel about it...
New Edge is here but at $49K will it sell at anything more than a few hundred a month

New Focus is still too far off, Ecosport/ Fiesta/Mondeo? who knows or even cares now..

I guess we should all roll over and put Toyota shirts on or maybe go buy discounted Holdens...

BENT_8 · 13-01-2019, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

I guess we should all roll over and put Toyota shirts on or maybe go buy discounted Holdens...

Now you're just being silly, why wouldnt you just buy a Kia and have 7 years of trouble free motoring..

You could buy a Picanto or Rio for your Daughter at sub $20k, a Cerato or Sportage for the little lady for sub $30k and a Stinger for your weekender.
You wouldn't even need to throw out your old blue oval shirts, just paint the emblem black

Makes perfect sense.

jpd80 · 13-01-2019, 04:40 PM

There's no plants hanging by a thread on what Ford does or doesn't sell so it's easy to tailor supplies to demand.
I'm curious about Focus and the Active variant may give them a quasi player in the compact crossovers for now,
station wagon is interesting, i wonder who signed off on that one....

ALL-NEW FORD FOCUS MLP
All-new Ford Focus Trend Hatch 8-speed AT $25,990
All-new Ford Focus ST-Line Hatch 8-speed AT $28,990
All-new Ford Focus ST-Line Wagon 8-speed AT $30,990
All-new Ford Focus Titanium Hatch 8-speed AT $34,490

They will need some decent numbers of Demos to build interest, not too many but enough to catch walk ins..

They do look nice...

Reputation begins with selling good products and standing by them....

BENT_8 · 13-01-2019, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

There's no plants hanging by a thread on what Ford does or doesn't sell so it's easy to tailor supplies to demand.
I'm curious about Focus and the Active variant may give them a quasi player in the compact crossovers for now,
station wagon is interesting, i wonder who signed off on that one....

ALL-NEW FORD FOCUS MLP
All-new Ford Focus Trend Hatch 8-speed AT $25,990
All-new Ford Focus ST-Line Hatch 8-speed AT $28,990
All-new Ford Focus ST-Line Wagon 8-speed AT $30,990
All-new Ford Focus Titanium Hatch 8-speed AT $34,490

They will need some decent numbers of Demos to build interest, not too many but enough to catch walk ins..

They do look nice...

Reputation begins with selling good products and standing by them....

It'll need to be good, with things like the new 2019 Cerato GT hatch with a 4cyl 1.6l turbo delivering 150kw and 265nm in 7A or 6M for $30k with 7yr warranty, V's the 3cyl 1.5l 134kw/240nm in 8A only with 5yr warranty for $29k.
Then add the $1800 for the 18" wheels in the design pack and $1250 for the driver assist pack to the Focus.

jpd80 · 13-01-2019, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENT_8

It'll need to be good, with things like the new 2019 Cerato GT hatch with a 4cyl 1.6l turbo delivering 150kw and 265nm in 7A or 6M for $30k with 7yr warranty, V's the 3cyl 1.5l 134kw/240nm in 8A only with 5yr warranty for $29k.
Then add the $1800 for the 18" wheels in the design pack and $1250 for the driver assist pack to the Focus.

Put it this way, you might be right with price being a tough ask up against something like the Cerato GT
but I wonder if the feel of the ST line and how it does everything will sell it, Lane centre sounds fascinating...

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...review-116080/