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Old 13-04-2006, 07:23 PM   #6
Iphido
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 553
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Ford OZ is a intergral part of FOMOCO. Unlike holden which GM has prepared for a varity of reasons to be a bit more seperate, they did things like drop GM from GM Holden (so it was just Holden Co), they gave them export markets, They allowed them to buy Daewoo etc. Given GM money stance, it could happen, Holden could go it alone with some heavy backers (Government, Maqbank, heavy duty investors). They would still work with GM and share technologies, but it could break it alone. I think it was close to happening in Hambergers days, Holden was getting pretty dam independant. With Daewoo they have there own small cars, the Commodore and the fairly unique statesman. They have markets in Brazil, Thailand, UAE, US, Asia, EU, SA etc all ready established. They could setup dealer networks pretty much overnight if required. Holden also has greater capacity at the moment, enough it would be profitable. Sharing production between OZ and Korea of models would give it the kind of capacity greater than Porsche and approaching Hyundia/Subaru current capacity. (I have to check these figures).

Unfortunately for Ford OZ not so simple. It could in theory be spun off, but actual brands like Lincon, Jaguar, Mercury, Aston, Volvo, etc would go first.

However theres nothing stopping Ford OZ acting like holden does now. Exporting cars to UAE, to EU, and selling them under the existing Ford name. It already does it with NZ and South Africa.

Ford OZ doesn't have the capacity either. Barely enough to meet Australias need. This could be improved however. Ford is deemphasising low profit fleet sales and targeting higher profit private sales. It has the territory. GP wasn't a idiot, he made some very clever and gutzy moves to secure Ford Australias future.

Personally I think its only a matter of time before the LWB Falcon is made in american and gets imported back here. Crown Vic dies off soon. With US volume it could have unique metal work (front, back, larger rear doors etc).
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