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Fpv To Close - Future Production Exclusively At Ford


bunna

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August 30 2012

Team,

Today we are joining with Prodrive (our partners in Ford Performance Vehicles) to announce a significant change to the way the FPV business is managed and run. As of this week, we have entered into an MOU for Ford to purchase the assets of Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) required to engineer, manufacture and market FPV vehicles in Australia.

While customers will experience no difference to their interactions with the FPV brand, development, production and marketing of FPV vehicles will move to our Geelong and Campbellfield operations.

Until now, FPV has operated under a Joint Venture agreement between Prodrive (51%) and Ford Australia (49%). The change follows a review by both the partners of the FPV business which concluded that the current business situation was unsustainable in the long-term. As a result of that review, Prodrive made the decision to exit the performance car market at the end of 2012 and we determined that we would continue with the brand alone.

Although the additional work at both our sites will offset the need for a small number of our previously announced redundancies, unfortunately this change will see approximately 32 FPV staff become redundant at the end of 2012. All entitlements and other benefits for those staff will be provided. We know that you will respect those employees as they work through this transition.

A copy of our media release is below for your information.

Thanks again for all you do to build our business.

Bob Graziano

President & CEO of Ford Australia

Ford assumes sole responsibility for Ford Performance Vehicles

  • Ford Australia and Prodrive Automotive Technology Asia Pacific Holdings (Prodrive) have entered into an MOU for Ford to purchase the assets of Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) required to continue engineering, manufacturing and marketing the FPV brand in Australia.

  • Development, production and marketing of FPV vehicles will move to Ford Australia’s Geelong and Campbellfield operations.

  • Customers will experience no difference to their interactions with the FPV brand.

MELBOURNE, Australia (Thursday August 30 2012): Ford Australia and Prodrive today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Ford to purchase the assets of FPV required to engineer, manufacture and market the FPV brand in Australia.

Negotiations are expected to be completed shortly, with Ford to take responsibility for future activities of FPV from the end of 2012. Ford will become responsible for all future development programs, the manufacture of FPV engines and vehicles, and marketing the FPV brand.

Until now, FPV has operated under a Joint Venture agreement between Prodrive (51%) and Ford Australia (49%). The change follows a review by the partners of the FPV business and both partners concluding the current business situation was unsustainable in the long-term.

“We recognise the passion and dedication of FPV enthusiasts and their desire to see Ford high-performance vehicles available in the market,” said Ford Australia President & CEO Bob Graziano.

“Although this segment of the market is relatively niche, it is an important part of Ford’s performance history and DNA. Both partners have worked hard to ensure the FPV brand can continue to thrive in Australia post the change to our current arrangements.”

Production of FPV engines will move to Ford’s Geelong engine plant, while full vehicle assembly will take place at Ford’s Campbellfield plant. The additional work at both sites will offset the need for a small number of the previously announced redundancies across both sites.

Unfortunately, although Ford can take on responsibility for the FPV brand and in-source the manufacturing and other work, the change will see approximately 32 FPV staff become redundant at the end of 2012. All entitlements and other benefits for those staff will be provided.

“As a result of the business review, Prodrive has made the decision to exit the performance car market at the end of 2012,” said Prodrive Managing Director Bryan Mears.

“We have enjoyed great success through our partnership with Ford Australia and look forward to watching the FPV brand continue to thrive in the future.”

FPV vehicles will continue to be sold through Ford’s dedicated network of FPV specialist dealers Australia. There will be no change to current service and warranty arrangements.

“Our current and future customers should experience little, if any, change to the way they interact with the FPV brand,” said Graziano. “We look forward to continue providing them with the outstanding performance and specialist service they have enjoyed to date.”

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Ford Australia brings performance arm inhouse

Ford Australia has announced it will buy out Prodrive's share of its V8 hot haus, Ford Performance Vehicle (FPV).

It made the announcement during a phone hook-up just minutes ago.

"Ford Australia and Prodrive today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Ford to purchase the assets of FPV required to engineer, manufacture and market the FPV brand in Australia," Ford's official release stated.

"Negotiations are expected to be completed shortly, with Ford to take responsibility for future activities of FPV from the end of 2012. Ford will become responsible for all future development programs, the manufacture of FPV engines and vehicles, and marketing the FPV brand," it said.

FPV was established as a joint venture between Ford Australia and UK-established special vehicles operation, Prodrive. Once the operator of the Subaru WRC team, Prodrive also participated in the short-lived Toyota Racing Developments (TRD) experiment Down Under.

Ford Australia boss Bob Graziano said this morning: " We recognise the passion and dedication of FPV enthusiasts and their desire to see Ford high-performance vehicles available in the market

“Although this segment of the market is relatively niche, it is an important part of Ford’s performance history and DNA.

Prodrive's local boss Bryan Mears stated: “As a result of the business review, Prodrive has made the decision to exit the performance car market at the end of 2012

"We have enjoyed great success through our partnership with Ford Australia and look forward to watching the FPV brand continue to thrive in the future.”

Mears recently told motoring.com.au that FPV's high-performance models future were secure but stopped short on spelling out the future for Prodrive within the operation.

Under the new arrangements, production of FPV engines will move to Ford’s Geelong engine plant, while full vehicle assembly will take place at Ford’s Campbellfield plant. The additional work at both sites will offset the need for a small number of the previously announced redundancies across both sites.

"Unfortunately, although Ford can take on responsibility for the FPV brand and in-source the manufacturing and other work, the change will see approximately 32 FPV staff become redundant at the end of 2012," Ford's official release stated.

Prodrive's Mears, oversaw a recent restructure of FPV that culled senior staff including general manager Rod Barrett. At that point he assumed day-to-day running of the business, in addition to his role as Prodrive Asia-Pacific managing director.

FPV famously underwent a previous culling in 2007 during which wholesale executive staff cuts were made.

http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2012/large-passenger/fpv/prodrive-out-of-fpv-32158

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At least they got the Miami out the door before this, I wonder if it would have happened under 100% Ford?

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Guest XR09
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Did the same guy who did the FG XR do the FPV's..... Think he did the Aurian as well...the plastics

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