Ford Oz Considers Lifting Exports
July 15, 2007 by George Skentzos
It is no secret that Ford Australia is losing money. According to a recent Reuters article, Ford are considering boosting exports as one option to become more profitable.
Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary has said:
“Essentially, we are looking for a new manufacturing strategy that is going to set us up for the future. The alternatives include an export program,”
Ford’s main production plant in Melbourne is operating below capacity, and there has been speculation that the Geelong plant could be closed.
“There are a number of studies underway and I can’t be specific about any of them. We have to become more efficient and we have to change our business,”
Reuter’s have credited shrinking sales figures to a new trend toward smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles which is leaving Ford’s flagship inline-6 Falcon high and dry.
Ford have posted a net loss of A$40.3 million for its 2006 fiscal year, from a net profit of A$148.2 million in 2005. Although much of this can be credited to the $500 million Orion, which will officially debut later this year.
Ford Australia’s current exports extend to New Zealand, South Africa and Thailand with 7,000 vehicles, from a total 81,500 locally made cars.
Australian car sales have topped 1 million vehicles for the first time, a staggering 22.2 percent of this figure belonging to Toyota. A further 14.5 percent to Holden and 10.4 percent belonging to Ford.
Print it: 
They should first look at lifting the quality of their local product.
The Orion will raise the bar as far as quality goes.
I have always felt that Ford USA has held back Ford Oz in it’s growth through exports.
Ford Oz has been very successful in exporting it’s technical and engineering ideas there is no reason why this cannot translate into it’s products. They have arguably the best rear drive platform for Ford Globally it just needs to be exploited.
They will raise the bar in terms of Ford… competition wise I think they are still behind Toyota. If they want to compete overseas in markets such as the U.S where Toyota have a firm grip, going to have to do better. In saying this, the Falcon may well be welcomed with open arms given its RWD format and judging by the computer generated images, slightly better looks.
last week i was at big w and i saw the carsguide and i saw the ve commodore. when i saw it i started vomiting on the book then i had to pay for for which i didint later that day i nearly died.
Hi my nAMEE IS EREN and i like the new fordS if u can give me a call 94662760
hi my name is eren and i like the new fords if u can give me a call 94662769
^
Looks like someone hates “Eren” and wants that person to get funny calls about Ford. I know it happend ages ago, but thats funny!
Ford neat to wake up and export the ford ute (6 turbo and v8) to south africa ,the lumina chev are availabile and in demand