Designer swap, I doubt it.

[deesun]

So a bloke at work who probably doesn't know an exhaust from a carburetter quotes when ever the Holden Ford rivalry comes up that back a number of years Holden and Ford swapped designers for a year. I call BS. One or two may have gone to work for the other but to swap would never happen. What's anyone elses thoughts or knowledge on this.

[superyob]

Yes, that would happen on the annual 'Give Away My Secrets Day', when big corporations would freely let their employees work for the opposition...

[commodorenutt]

Haha, He's about 5 weeks too early. Come back on April 1....

This rumour monger clearly has no idea how many people that suggestion would affect, and the massive logistics required.

If you do a decent amount of work on any Ford product, and the same on a GMH product, you can see they are very, very different in their design & how they evolved.

The exception to this is shared components that are outsourced from a supplier who covers 2 or 3 industry players - like Hella (interior lights etc), brake components from PBR, diff internals from BW/Dana, large sections of the seat frames from Lear & then Futuris. Even things like the plastic A/C vents share similarities - but only due to tier supplier cost-saving initiatives that they are required to deliver to Ford & GMH.


I know a couple of design Engineers that worked at GM and went to Ford (one directly, and one after serving a stint with a Tier2 supplier). The amount of NDA/confidentiality & legal hoopla they have to go through is enormous, to protect the manufacturer's future programs. Imagine trying to do that several hundred times over?

[Kingsley]

About the closest to the truth about this rumor would be the very few who crossed between manufacturers to take up new permanent positions.

Other than that, it was common practice for manufacturers to get hold of the oppositions latest model and take it to their own proving ground to assess it against their current or future models.

Looking forward to either Josh Dowling or AMCM confirming the story this week through a 'source' on the internet.

[LoudPipes]

Originally Posted by deesun

that back a number of years Holden and Ford swapped designers for a year.

If they did it again today it would be better for Holden if they swapped engines.

[mr smith]

Total BS. Designers do work for the different manufacturers but like a lot of other industries, once they give notice to leave they are escorted out immediately. On top of that, they are professionals and do not talk about their previous work details.

[LoudPipes]

If you’re in a position of importance in any company you would be required to sign off on a nondisclosure clause within your contract.

The cost you would incur in breaking that contact would ultimately be at least equal to the financial loss of the company’s intellectual property.

It’s a no brainer to keep your mouth shut.

Like has already been said, when you resign your passwords are removed, your office is locked and you are marched out the door and the company couriers any of your personal property left in your office to your home.

[deesun]

Yep, was just putting it out there to see if there was anyone who had heard different. I am in total agreeance with all the above comments.

[EBSXR6]

According to http://www.news.com.au/finance/busin...1af63c58f49552 Ford Australia was going to hire 150 EX GMH engineers to develop cars for China

[Raptor]

Proof, they designed this



Must have been late 60, early 70s

[1TUFFUTE]

its a Flawed concept anyway. What would that deal offer Ford? Holden would stand to gain an aweful lot.....and HSV...well that needs no explaining...