Ford Australia

RobertRyan

Thank you for your perspective. Many individuals are not open to details to make better decisions. I appreciate the understanding that you have.

Currency fluctuations or manipulations definitely impact manufacturers with gigantic investment. Many do not realize how significant this impacted the US auto industry in the early to mid 2000's. This was one of the reasons Ford mortgaged everything ahead of the global crash.

Colorado 71 wrote:
So true and so sad.

The above gent is similar to NewsW. He claims he is from Australia, but he started a 'dicussion" with other Australians here that they did not know what they were talking about as regards Australia! He then proceeded to take the 'discussion" to an Australian RV site and continue there. Most Aussies on the RV site "Caravanners forum" guessed he had some issues as his knowledge of Australia was vague and he was telling them they were all wrong. He only appears to post to criticize Australia.
Colorado71's "heated"discussion with other Australian RVers on these forums.

mogwogman wrote:
Your perception of the Australian way of life is floored and full of errors.

ArcticDodge wrote:
EVERYTHING is expensive in AU! I'd need about 2.5 to 3x my current US earnings to live a similar standard in AU.

So true and so sad.

Paying 500K for a 200K house is bad enough, but then you get to finance it at 5-6%. Oh an you can't even lock in a rate for more than 5 years.

Whatever happened to Australia, the lucky country?

fla-gypsy wrote:
f they cannot make a profit there then they should close down the operations.

Not that simple. Ford owes the Australian government millions of Dollars in development loans. Ford WAS making profits BEFORE Mullaly turned up, but his cronies hinting that the Australian operation was going /not going to close down affected sales. The High Australian Dollar and some heavy handed advice from Dearborn really hurt the local operation. US and European imports have sold badly here for Ford, so the local products were the only things that were keeping it going till this decision.

Skyhammer wrote:
hope the Aussies aren't that stupid, The UAW conceded so much that they ended up with nearly half of GM at tax payer and bond holder expense.
Any more concessions like that and we are doomed, if we aren't already.

Unions and other stakeholders are along for the ride, they are not steering the companies. High Dollar is reeking havoc with all export and manufacturing industries.

ArticDodge wrote:
It's a great "work to LIVE" culture but the money has to come from somewhere and EVERYTHING is expensive in AU! I'd need about 2.5 to 3x my current US earnings to live a similar standard in AU

Small market is manly responsible . So we get high enough salaries and wages so we can "gove away free things at beaches" not as constrained as in the US.

BurbMan wrote:
Interesting stuff. Like the Aussies are the victims of their own success.....I wonder if the unions will wind up making concessions to save the jobs like they did here in the US.

I hope the Aussies aren't that stupid, The UAW conceded so much that they ended up with nearly half of GM at tax payer and bond holder expense.
Any more concessions like that and we are doomed, if we aren't already.

When Melbourn Parks have employees that dispense free sunscreen on the beach and provide BBQ grills WITH "FREE" propane included, it's easy to see how the money to support such items eventually tax certain sectors into negative economic situations. It's a great "work to LIVE" culture but the money has to come from somewhere and EVERYTHING is expensive in AU! I'd need about 2.5 to 3x my current US earnings to live a similar standard in AU.

Burbman wrote:
Interesting stuff. Like the Aussies are the victims of their own success.....I wonder if the unions will wind up making concessions to save the jobs like they did here in the US.

nothing to do with Unions. High Aussie Dollar due the money printing efforts by the US and Japan.High interest rates also helped distort the exchange rate.

Vintage Racer wrote:
Ford was/is biggest in manufacturing, Holden is second. Holden announced a major cutback in manufacturing a month or two ago

No it WAS 3rd, now about 10th. Never the biggest / Toyota biggest Automotive Company overall in Australia

carringb wrote:
. looking at sales figures it appears the Aussies have been buying globalized platforms anyways.

Not totally. The Holden Commodore was the best selling car here for 10yrs in a row and that finished in 2011. Problem as well is pickups and CUV/SUV's are replacing traditional sedans. The Toyota Hilux Pickup was the best selling "car" in Australia for several months last year.