FPV GT to be killed off early

[DanielXR8]

If FPV sales have fallen like a stone lately, then they might be at the rather sad point that even GT body kits are no longer viable to produce in the quantities required, especially for the updated Falcon.

Answer. Welcome back XR8 with GT mechanicals.

[Bossxr8]

So much cheaper to just run an XR body with GT mechanicals. No need to spend money developing an FPV kit.

Ford are just going to take the cheap option from here on in, who gives a f about the buyers, it's all about saving cash for the shutdown. Shameful, but that's business I guess.

What else are they going to rip out of the update to save cash?

[P6LTD351]

Mark my words - Ford local manufacturing won't even last until 2016.

[pottery beige]

shut the gate Max.. here comes the last of the Interceptors

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by flappist

Well looky there.... AMac reckons the GT will be renamed XR8 in the next model......

Now that will only leave:
It is too expemsive
It is not N/A
It is too expensive
There is no wagon
It is too expensive
It does not have LPG
It is too expensive
It is not the right colour
It is too expensive
Holden sell the SS for $29.95 Ford must compete
It is too expansive
New cars are a rip off why don't they put them out as fleet/rentals
It is too expensive

as the reason why the usual suspects won't buy one.

Is this sort of post really necessary? it adds nothing of value to the discussion


On topic, crying shame to lose the GT and it will be interesting to see if they do resurrect the XR8 name and in what state.

I was never a fan of the XR8 badge, much preferred the GS or GT (and I own an FG XR8). As a guess, the demographic for a new Falcon V8 would tend to be the older buyer who are long time Ford fans and would remember these older iconic badges, would be fitting for Ford to retire the mighty Falcon with these badges in my view.

[Bossxr8]

He's just cut, because if the XR8 returns he will look like a fool for constantly bagging people who claimed it was coming back.

Possibility of an XR8 and an XR8 Sprint. That would be some cold comfort.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

So much cheaper to just run an XR body with GT mechanicals. No need to spend money developing an FPV kit.

Ford are just going to take the cheap option from here on in, who gives a f about the buyers, it's all about saving cash for the shutdown. Shameful, but that's business I guess.

What else are they going to rip out of the update to save cash?

I can just see it now - we're going to end up with an FG mk 3 and they'll close the joint in 12 months.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I can just see it now - we're going to end up with an FG mk 3 and they'll close the joint in 12 months.

The earlier they can shut it, the cheaper it will be. They probably have a plan to force buyers away so they can blame poor sales for an early closure.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The earlier they can shut it, the cheaper it will be. They probably have a plan to force buyers away so they can blame poor sales for an early closure.

Then again, they got $50 million in government grants to develop the 2014 car, would they have to pay it back?

[westy73]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Could this be to make room for the hi-po Mustangs?

Who cares. They kill the GT, they kill my aspirations to own a Ford.
I love GT's !! Period.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I can just see it now - we're going to end up with an FG mk 3 and they'll close the joint in 12 months.

If that happens il never buy another ford again.

Bad enough for the workers now, but at least they have a timeline, if ford canned everything early it would be devastating for those that were relying on the next three years for re training etc etc

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

Mark my words - Ford local manufacturing won't even last until 2016.

I hope it does last to 2016 but after that decision I reckon a lot of people saving for a GT in 2015/16 will be annoyed. I think Ford USA is trying too kick us Falcon fans in the guts especially after hearing that we wont get a supercharged mustang here. might be rumours that aren't true hopefully. don't know what too believe when it comes to hearing things about Ford anymore especially in the last 3 years

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by wildrider

I hope it does last to 2016 but after that decision I reckon a lot of people saving for a GT in 2015/16 will be annoyed. I think Ford USA is trying too kick us Falcon fans in the guts especially after hearing that we wont get a supercharged mustang here. might be rumours that aren't true hopefully. don't know what too believe when it comes to hearing things about Ford anymore especially in the last 3 years

No one is getting a s/c mustang I believe, it's not just us.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

So much cheaper to just run an XR body with GT mechanicals. No need to spend money developing an FPV kit.

That was my first thought, they didn't have the cash to update the FPV styling for the MKII update, now it seems they're not keen on spending anything on the 2014 update either and obviously the existing bodykit won't fit the 2014 model (given the styling changes), so what else were they going to do.

[westy73]

Originally Posted by Kieron

Is this sort of post really necessary? it adds nothing of value to the discussion


On topic, crying shame to lose the GT and it will be interesting to see if they do resurrect the XR8 name and in what state.

I was never a fan of the XR8 badge, much preferred the GS or GT (and I own an FG XR8). As a guess, the demographic for a new Falcon V8 would tend to be the older buyer who are long time Ford fans and would remember these older iconic badges, would be fitting for Ford to retire the mighty Falcon with these badges in my view.

Couldn't agree more. We are AUSTRALIAN people. Not YANKEE. I for one will go down and be remembered for loving Ford Australia products. Have loved the GT's and GS's for as long as I can remember. I have aspired to own a Ford Falcon GT but will never quite get there by the looks. It sucks big time. People can jump ship and love their American Heritage Mustangs but I will always love the GT and it is the pinnacle Ford OZ car IMO. Not some import.

[DFB FGXR6]

I was going to buy a GT next year. So gutted if this is true. But Ford Aus do have a track record for these type of STUPID decisions and NEVER seem to learn from past mistakes.

A massive kick in the guts for loyal Ford and Falcon buyers.

[GTP534]

I would have mixed emotions if this turns out to be true. I didn't buy the R-Spec with the thinking that it would be the last iteration of the GT but rather because it ticked all the boxes for me 9 years after I got my first GT-P.

There were lots of rumours swirling around after I'd placed the deposit but it was basically impossible to join the dots at that time.

I suspect the article is accurate about no more FPV as Prodrive were not working on another project after R-Spec but I also would hope it is not true as I believe the brand should go out with a bang and not a whimper.

Needless to say, R-Spec No 15 is a keeper.

[bigwil]

Freaking crap time to be a Falcon fan.

[Nikked]

Ford Australia spokesman, Neil McDonald, would not confirm any details on FPV's imminent closure when contacted by Drive.

Lets make a story anyway!

[I6DOHC]

Yep, The Yanks are here! Looks like 1 more pesky problem has been solved.

Just RIP the guts out of what's left of the carcass and move on.

[DMENTDGT]

For those who where waiting for the last GT to come out like myself to buy one. Just buy an FG GT S/C series 1 or 2, one hell of a vehicle and cant go wrong in buying one and if you cant afford new there is plenty of 2nd hand now. That way we can all own GT'S... There is no name like GT that is what represents FORD that is what represents FALCON...

LONG LIVE THE FALCON...

[jpd80]

Ah, the joy of being a Ford fan, every piece of news is disaster.

What if Ford renamed GS as XR8 while the GT remains but it's now
on a common XR body but with R-Spec suspension brakes and decals..

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Ah, the joy of being a Ford fan, every piece of news is disaster.

What if Ford renamed GS as XR8 while while GT remains but it's now
on a common XR body but with R-Spec suspension brakes and decals..

Like the original GT...

[xw302gs]

Wheels story and Drive's report? They both can't be right! I'll wait to hear what Ford say.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by mcnews

R Spec owners will be the winners out of this. They will eventually be the most collectible Falcon ever one would expect.

Racing Heritage = most collectible = GTHO Phase 3!

[jpd80]

The rumor mill is going berserk and all this does is shake out people who want a GT and were planning on waiting.
Until Ford spells out its product decisions, we're going to see people lurch from one "catastrophe" to the next.

[Whitey-AMG]

I guess the saddest part in all this is that we will never see a red hot attempt at a GTH or GTHO.

I was never a real fan of the FGGT body kit anyways so badging the XR as GT with the GT goodies may be a good thing.....depending on what the next gen XR looks like.

There are no surprises here. The biggest surprise is that some on here didnt see it coming.

I guess owning an FPVGT now just became that little bit more special and nostalgic.

So i guess next year we can start the official FPVGT appreciation room space on the forums.......lol

[tex]

Ford.

Winning hearts and minds. The silence is deafening.

If they had any respect for the fan base, senior Ford people would be all over this site hosing down, correcting the articles spinning more death cuts to the brand.

But they're not. What's that tell you?

1. They don't care?

2. They don't have anything by way of correction?

3. It's just part of the exit strategy?

Me? I feel for the local staff. The contractors. The third party manufacturers and the mouths that are kept fed. I mean all due respect to the loyal and dedicated staff. Highly skilled, good manufacturers with the acumen to produce a product that they simply haven't been resourced to. Commercial reallities preclude that.

But. A small part of me, way deep down inside just wants the crap to stop, the marque to be put 10 feet under. As a brand, the last couple of years have served no worthwhile purpose other than prolong the agony that most of us feel. It's actually embarrissing.

Those with a good Falcon, hold onto it. And if you're cashed up, and like the marque enough, buy one real quick.

Or, hold out a bit longer, and buy the imported Ford.

I'll take mine in dark metallic grey, black wheels, black stripes, with GT500 written down it's flanks.

RIP Falcon. Youre like the family dog, at 15 years of age.....I would much prefer you went out quickly, painlessly. But, like the old family dog, we, you, everyone holds on just too damn long.

[westy73]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The rumor mill is going berserk and all this does is shake out people who want a GT and were planning on waiting.
Until Ford spells out its product decisions, we're going to see people lurch from one "catastrophe" to the next.

And so we should, shouldn't we ? If you want to be American go ahead be my guest. (Not sure which way you're leaning here, either pro American import and get over it, or damn shame the Falcon is going down so quick)
I will lurch from catastrophe to catastrophe and voice my displeasure at the axing of the Falcon and all derivatives. I want them to know I FOR ONE AM NOT HAPPY. Substituting in an inferior American brand and heritage plate will not please me. Sorry. I am Ford OZ through and through, love the blue oval but Ford OZ will always just be a poor cousin from here on in if it hasn't been for the last 10 years at least.

[tex]

There are no surprises here. The biggest surprise is that some on here didnt see it coming.

Head in the sand. Desire to remain positive faced with overwhelming facts to the contrary. Loyalty is noble. Loyalty does not necessarily convert to business sucess (obviously)....