2013 - What a tough Year !!

[Rodge]

Reflecting back on 2013 has it been tough to be a Ford enthusiast or what !!

Starting off we had months and months or serious on-going speculation and then the announcement finally came in May that we'd all be fearing for a very long time, the end of Falcon production in 2016.

Then we had months and months when Ford left FPV enthusiasts in the lurch not knowing whether there would be a FPV replacement when the refreshed Falcon was released in 2014.

Then the announcement that FPV was to finish up and then to cap off a horror year we've just had Holden's announcement.

The Mustang release was a breath of fresh air, very much needed as to be honest I felt I was suffocating under a barrage of bad news.

Its been the toughest year I can ever remember to try and keep the faith and i'll be pleased to get it squared away in the ledger and over and done with, surely 2014 can't be nearly as tough, surely not ?

Not too sure what the point of this thread is really, i just felt I needed to get the sentiment that its been a tough year off my cheast and the Mustang gives me some hope for the future.

[poppa smurf]

not only Ford, a lot of companies, businesses, private folks are doing it hard.

life is getting harder and is more money orientated than ever.

[OCTANEBOSS]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

not only Ford, a lot of companies, businesses, private folks are doing it hard.

life is getting harder and is more money orientated than ever.

To true, looking at the way the current government is talking up on debt I think we have a few more **** years ahead before things start to look up in all industries across Australia & NZ. I myself should know what the new owners of the mine I work at will do in the first quarter of next year when they take over. Retrench, re-employ, close... Its all relevant when ya owe a bank someone else's cash. Will still be going out of my way to support Australian businesses, farmers & the like because the tank is running empty in regards to ability to control our own destiny in Australia. Hope everyone has a great Christmas anyway & things go better for all of us in 2014

[poppa smurf]

I talk to a lot of folks from all walks of life in my line of business, from Bankers to builders, from lawyers to layman, no-one has any faith or "good news" in the coming foreseeable years.

increased debt by the private sector as well as the proposed lifting of the debt ceiling by govco (or has that been knocked off completely without back room deals in parliament?) has to be repaid in some way....

our income streams have been sold off leaving just the tax payers to foot the ever increasing bill.

sorry to say the taxpayer has been flogged to death.

it seems to be okay for pollies to bury their collective, well paid, head's in the sand and say trust me folks everything is okay.

I guess we simply have to have faith that we will pull through without another depression or war (always good to reinvigorate the economy).

I'm not looking forward to the new financial year, severe cutbacks are forecast as well as complete fund cutting.

Nero fiddles while Rome burns comes to mind.

never mind "here comes Santa Claus!" all will be well whilst Rudolph leads the way.

[GASWAGON]

I think after the Holden news it will change many peoples perceptions of the state of the economy.....2014 will be the beginning of a steady and slow deflation process where people may offload debt, close business's etc etc.....

The carbon tax, massive investment in real estate and electricity prices have contributed to this very expensive economy we presently live in.

[nstg8a]

Not all doom and gloom everywhere... Get into warehousing, we are absolutely flat out at the moment.

[XW-BAXR6T]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Not all doom and gloom everywhere... Get into warehousing, we are absolutely flat out at the moment.

Perhaps for imports yes, but for our local manufacturing which employes local people best indicator is our packaging industry, if they doing good then our local economy is healthy.

[buickman]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Not all doom and gloom everywhere... Get into warehousing, we are absolutely flat out at the moment.

Australia has become a big dumping ground for overseas products so we need more logistics transport and warehousing to store and move the products around the country.

[mik]

Originally Posted by buickman

Australia has become a big dumping ground for overseas products so we need more logistics transport and warehousing to store and move the products around the country.

If it follows trend it will die off soon and will be quiet for a while, transport and logistics has always been sporadic.

[GT69]

It's certainly been a hectic year all round. Politics aside, the bad news has come in with the changing landscape of Australian manufacturing being at the forefront, only time will tell if we the people can muster and move forward. I've always believed we should of stopped building cars years ago and move onto science and technology projects. Unfortunately now China and India are screaming ahead, I think we've missed the collective boat. Also it doesn't help that the Aussie attitude has not only helped in destroying manufacturing here, but has given the leg up to importers.

Rant begins - for me, this year has been a massive 'what about me' year, it may be because my partner has been very active on the likes of Facebook where the loudest voices come from the laziest SOB's out there, their cries of 'no more funding' 'stop the boats/blow up the boats' and 'look after our own first' mantra's have made me disgusted to call myself an Australian. With an annual welfare bill in excess off 120 billion dollars (more than health care) and 1/4 Aussies living off the welfare system, something, somewhere has gone tragically wrong.

With Ford and Holden's decisions now on the table (many would say its been coming for a long time, others have been busy doing their best to bring it about), thoughts must now move to employing the 6000 odd taxpaying citizens, I guess on the bright side, as of writing this novel, these 6000 odd people have a guaranteed job for the next 3 years. Which is certainly more than most of us can say. But it begs the question, what new industries can production line workers move in to?

I, For one am a tradesman, this year for me has been my biggest ever. I've bought 2 new cars and a house. My future has never been secure, people in the trade will no, you never really no whats around the corner, most guys may have work for a month, or a couple weeks, but don't really know whats going to happen after that. So heading into the new year, uncertainty, as ever, hangs over the head of many. We watch, wait and hope the system doesn't screw everything up for us. Knowing you have very little control over anything (even your own life really) makes some question what on earth they are going to do./Rant

So, to all those out there, looking at having a go next year, I encourage you to go for it, but be smart. Over the past 3 years, many many hundreds of business's have gone belly up, there has been a lot of 'to big to fail' business's and companies that have failed to move with the times. Be flexible, be pliable re-skill whenever/where ever you can, streamline your systems and plan for dark, dry times ahead. That way, at least, when the light comes back out, you'll be in the position to take advantage.

[DJM83]

Wasnt a bad year for me, purchased my 2 new Ford. Couldnt be happier with it and my last one for that matter.

Loosing the Falcon isnt good though, but Mustang coming is awesome.

[Bucknaked]

The ford closure is the negative for me. Not having a home built falcon will be hard. Loss of an Australian Icon. I guess its back to the euro's for me. But I plan to hang onto the FG long term and when time comes to buy a new car, I'll look to other manufacturers if the ford euro's dont cut it.

[ebv8]

um....ford won Bathurst! thats always a good thing and a bit rare

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by ebv8

um....ford won Bathurst! thats always a good thing and a bit rare

Frankly I couldn't care less and despite so many people agreeing with you that's completly meaningless in the context of this thread. Fact is its a landmark year for all the wrong reasons when we lose two icons of Australian production that have been around since Adam was a boy.

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

First world problems aye
Frankly I thought it was a great year with the build up to the Mustang reveal, the Bathurst win and then the actual Mustang revealed as one smoking hot weapon.

That's got to be the most over used irrelvant phrase on here, why ?, because almost the entire forum is about first world things..I couold be wrong but i'm pretty sure there's other forums to discuss the plight of the children in Syria. Maybe what you're really trying to say is that the loss of the Ford Falcon & FPV & Holden and Holden based HSV's is no big deal because the Mustang is coming...sorry mate we'll have to agree to disagree, I think the loss of Australian vehicle manufacuring is a big deal for the Australian economy, Australians and Kiwi's and the
Mustang won't suit everyone and is not the panacea for the loss of two icons some are making it out to be.

Originally Posted by stevz

I would definitely say 2013 has been the year from hell and sadly all I see is a grim future ahead for Australia. The economy is in the toilet, everything is being taken over by Asians and everything that makes Australia a great place to live is slowly eroding away.
As for Aussie cars fans, I don't see much light at the end of the tunnel. On the Ford side, Mustang is irrelevant to me as I don't buy 2 door cars. The rest of the range is a collection of buzz boxes and suv's which I have no interest in either. On the Holden side, another collection of buzz boxes and suv's and a fwd Chinese Commodore that I wouldn't touch with a 20 foot pole.
Some here wonder why I am so negative... Well that's because realistically there is hardly anything positive to look forward to.

I agree with you mate, I guess some people see the big picture and see what's coming and others either don't care or don't get it, its as simple as that.

N.Z. has by and large had its GFC and it was hell for a lot of people and I have felt and seen the pain that was inflicted and it wasn't pretty, in fact it was downright ugly for those really caught up in the worst aspects of the troubles. (Six billion dollars lost in finance company collapes for example, my Uncle lost his life savings and now has to face a life in his 80's with nothing but the pension to live on.

[stevz]

^^^ Well said Rodge on all three points.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by Rodge

That's got to be the most over used irrelvant phrase on here, why ?, because almost the entire forum is about first world things..I couold be wrong but i'm pretty sure there's other forums to discuss the plight of the children in Syria.

Your right, it is overused but ask yourself why

Originally Posted by Rodge

Maybe what you're really trying to say is that the loss of the Ford Falcon & FPV & Holden and Holden based HSV's is no big deal because the Mustang is coming

That is not what I'm trying to say at all. Whilst Holden/HSV means nothing to me the end of Falcon does sadden me, as a Ford fan I've grown up with them, admired them, coveted them, bought them and sold them for over 30 years. But ! they are not "the be all and end all" they are a very small bit piece at best.

Also a lot of people on here need to stop aligning the Falcons cessation with Mustangs arrival. Mustang going global has nothing to do with the Falcon imo.

Like somebody else alluded to if your favorite car companies decision making is the biggest concern in your life then things aren't too bad.


Merry Christmas

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Also a lot of people on here need to stop aligning the Falcons cessation with Mustangs arrival. Mustang going global has nothing to do with the Falcon imo.

Merry Christmas

Of course it is! Its obvious Ford US have conspired with the rest of the world to do Australia out of the Falcon.......

And a Merry Christmas to you and all at AFF......

[XW-BAXR6T]

Are you kidding me? This years been the best year for me, its the year i finally settled with my ex, meaning i got nothing to do with her & im free to mod & cruise my babies....i havent stopped partying since july & thats also when i got my new place also

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Reflecting back on 2013 has it been tough to be a Ford enthusiast or what !!

Starting off we had months and months or serious on-going speculation and then the announcement finally came in May that we'd all be fearing for a very long time, the end of Falcon production in 2016.

Then we had months and months when Ford left FPV enthusiasts in the lurch not knowing whether there would be a FPV replacement when the refreshed Falcon was released in 2014.

Then the announcement that FPV was to finish up and then to cap off a horror year we've just had Holden's announcement.

The Mustang release was a breath of fresh air, very much needed as to be honest I felt I was suffocating under a barrage of bad news.

Its been the toughest year I can ever remember to try and keep the faith and i'll be pleased to get it squared away in the ledger and over and done with, surely 2014 can't be nearly as tough, surely not ?

Not too sure what the point of this thread is really, i just felt I needed to get the sentiment that its been a tough year off my cheast and the Mustang gives me some hope for the future.

First world problems aye

Frankly I thought it was a great year with the build up to the Mustang reveal, the Bathurst win and then the actual Mustang revealed as one smoking hot weapon.

[Rodge]

I think the vast majority of us on here recognise the enormity of the fundamental changes that have occurred this year and 2013 goes down in the ledger as the year both Australian motoring icons, Ford and Holden were officially put on death row and just for good measure FPV is first to get axed. FPV getting such little support from Ford still grinds my gearstick.

Thanks Rob, thankfully there is some light at the end of the tunnell, thank God for small mercies

[DJR-351]

One door closes another opens, that's life......bring on the Mustang....

[monzie]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

One door closes another opens, that's life......bring on the Mustang....

Sometimes one closes and the next on slams in your face, **** happens.

An optimist says the glass is half full.
A pessimist says it's half empty

and an engineer says this glass is twice as big as it needs to be!!

Merry Xmas to everyone
Pete

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

One door closes another opens, that's life......bring on the Mustang....

Only those who have a well paid job can rejoice about this news. For the soon to be unemployed auto workers their is no joy.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Only those who have a well paid job can rejoice about this news. For the soon to be unemployed auto workers their is no joy.

Twist my post anyway you like sport, but I don't spend my life worrying about what I can't change.....

As for being unemployed......I've been there myself mate, but only had weeks not years to do something about it.....and no government packages to help out either.....

And as for rejoicing about having a factory built RHD Mustang available in Australia....you bet I am! no apologies there!

[homegrown]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Only those who have a well paid job can rejoice about this news. For the soon to be unemployed auto workers their is no joy.

Dont worry too much about those Holden Boys. They're losing their jobs in the best possible scenario that could be givin to them. 3 years notice a massive pay out and free training along the way. Im sure there's plenty of people who would like them terms with their jobs

[Rob 351]

Good topic Rodge although as tough as it's been with all the Ford/FPV going ons, there is plenty of light at the end of the tunnel & for a change, no it's not a train coming the other way.
I still reckon when Ford dumped the 351's & 302's in 82 was a much much worse scenorio than what we have now. Sure there is no more GT Falcons but they are going to replace it with one very handy piece of kit in the Mustang. Much different from 82 when they dumped the V8's & gave us.....wait for it....The fuel injected 4.1 Falcon!
In a business sense & unlike the other mob on the other side of the tracks, I think Ford have handled this very well & while I will never part with my GTP, I am very much looking forward to the Mustang.
My 2 cents worth anyway...

[buggerlugs]

Waiting patiently for our regular Grim Reaper to make his comment.............

[poppa smurf]

does anyone know who is likely to be the car manufacturer likely to take up residence in South Australia (or Victoria).

I hope for our parts suppliers it is soon after the departure of Ford and Holden.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

does anyone know who is likely to be the car manufacturer likely to take up residence in South Australia (or Victoria).

I hope for our parts suppliers it is soon after the departure of Ford and Holden.

Hyundai ????

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by csv8

Hyundai ????

Hyundai are doing very well in Australia, could be a reasonable step I suppose.

B.I.L. just bought a Santa Fe, not my cuppa tea but he seems happy with it, far better than the other B.I.L.'s Chinese sangyong 4wd with all its problem electrics.

I hope they take on and use local parts suppliers and hire local folks, theres enough problems in Elizabeth at the moment.