Post by Bundy on Jun 3, 2012 18:49:13 GMT 10
Ford's performance arm in crisis after sackings
General manager and numerous administrative staff shown the door in major restructure.
Ford Performance Vehicles is in crisis after sacking general manager Rod Barrett and up to 15 other members of its Campbellfield workforce, throwing into doubt the future of Ford’s tuner of performance cars.
It’s the second time in six years the company has sacked top-level management. Former boss Sak Ryopponen and five senior managers - including this reporter, who was communications manager - were shown the door in 2006.
Prodrive managing director Bryan Mears will take over Mr Barrett’s role, while other back office functions will be “absorbed internally”.
“This has been a very difficult business decision, and one we’ve taken with great regret,” Mears says.
“Unfortunately, today’s business realities are that we have to manage our business appropriately and that includes making the FPV business the right size for the market and taking advantage of better synergies with Ford and Prodrive.
“The good news is that FPV is set for stronger sales this year than last, and we have some very exciting new product to talk about later in the year.”
Mears paid tribute to the job done by Barrett in five years at the head of FPV.
“Rod leaves with our gratitude for a job well done and our best wishes for the future, and we will be supporting him in every way we can … as we will everyone affected by this decision,” he says.
FPV’s restructure is not expected to affect the operations of Ford Performance Racing, which is also owned by Prodrive. Its driver Will Davison currently leads the V8 Supercars championship.
The turmoil at FPV reflects an uncertain future for Ford’s beleaguered Falcon model, which forms the basis for FPV’s model range. It’s believed the locally produced large car will not be built in its current form beyond the current generation, when the Australian operation is likely to have to fall into step with the US company’s global large car program.
There is also doubt about the future of the Falcon’s turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, which FPV uses for several models in its line-up.
Last month, former industry minister Kim Carr said he expected the six cylinder to continue until at least 2016, but demand is likely to fall dramatically with the recent introduction of a turbocharged four-cylinder version of the Falcon.
The four-cylinder is expected to be the engine of choice for fleet customers, which make up 80 per cent of Falcon buyers. The six-cylinder is also used in Ford’s locally-made Territory SUV, although the introduction of a diesel alternative for that vehicle has dented demand for the petrol unit
smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/fords-performance-arm-in-crisis-after-sackings-20120601-1zlob.html
Seems like a necessary move if the Falcon is being fazed out - run as lean as they can while little production is occuring.
For ford fans, I would be equally frightened by the notion that FPV aren't going to produce any more turbo sixs as if any operation of Ford that should continue to produce the six it should be FPV. On a side note, I think we can nearly write off Ford's and FPV's association with a v8 which has been on the slide ever since Ford's decision to discontinue the xr8.
