Bill Osborne to resign!

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by xr8 utey

yes..... take a deep breath and look at all the facts as they become available.until then let's keep an open mind.

On the day that Ford announced job losses? I don't think that's a co-incidence.

[xr8 utey]

Originally Posted by Bobman

On the day that Ford announced job losses? I don't think that's a co-incidence.

true and point taken.

[Dave_au]

Holden has had three managing directors in the last 2 years, Ford has had in effect 3 in 4 years. With the high Australian dollar, the fall of large car sales and the lowering of tariffs, It certainly doesn't look good for the industry.

[Jondalar]

Hmmm I think there'll come a time where I have a grandson on my knee and say "I remember when they used to make cars in Australia, really great cars..." Very sad for Australia.

[SSbaby]

Must have had something to do with the design of the 'corrugated cardboard version' of the upcoming Falcon, which was said to cut 300kgs off its weight!

[XA-Coupe]

I don't know the guy personally but I will say this ...
We aren't Americans, We aren't Europeans and we aren't Asians, let an Australian run an Australian company ( well, Aus operation for the Aus market )

[FPV8U]

Originally Posted by rodderz

I think so too, no dissrespect to people from O/S, but a good hard working, Ford-headed local would be a great thing. Geoff Polites had a huge amount of respect, and his enthusiasm snowballed throughout the company. Morale at this time would be low, and it needs a turnaround. Ford will be in the crap if unions start getting involved more with unhappy workers.

That said...we havent heard the other side of the story, maybe he's got personal or family reasons behind the decision

If they can get anyone with 50% of the drive he had and moral booster aswell, Ford would be in good hands.

[lowriding]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

Holden has had three managing directors in the last 2 years, Ford has had in effect 3 in 4 years. With the high Australian dollar, the fall of large car sales and the lowering of tariffs, It certainly doesn't look good for the industry.

..but all the Holden MDs you mention have been promoted or moved through the GM corporate ladder as is general practice , Fords last 2 MDs have quit suddenly both their position and the company..... no disguising its bad news for Ford and definately points to bigger issues.

[DanielXR8]

Wouldn't surprise me if he felt like he was between a rock and a hard place. Too late to change what Tom Gorman had done. Stuck with a parent company that won't let him export and a local aussie culture that in some parts of the company at least, seems hell bent on denying they have any responsibility for anything.

Dan

[Kingsley]

Good luck to him. Plenty of people take the opportunity to switch jobs and move ahead. Probably could of picked a better time to do it though!!!
Let's hope they put someone in his place that has a good relationship with Detroit and who can make the hard decisions and fight for the future of the company locally. Maybe this is the opportunity for someone to run a broom through the joint and get rid of the deadwood.

[russellw]

For those who wish to speculate various conspiracy theories about the correlation between the job losses and this resignation let me say that our advice earlier this afternoon is that the two items are unrelated.

Given that Bill has accepted a senior role with another US based company and the lead times involved in such an appointment it makes sense that it is merely a case of unfortunate timing.

I am sure that not everyone who relocates their family to the other side of the world does so successfully and it is my understanding that the role he has obtained is one which was already a part of his longer term career plan but for which the opportunity arrived earlier than planned.

We wish him well in his future endeavours.

Cheers
Russ

[Riksta]

Originally Posted by XRtowcar

About time. Now Ford Forums can take over running the company. Sack the marketing department, supercharge the V8, turbo charge all other models, might stop ranting now and have a lie down.......

I like your thinking!!!

In all seriousness though, how good would it be to have some form of official Ford Australia people on here, listening to our suggestions and the things discussed, taking feedback on board and in the same time helping us out by showing that the company CARES about their customer base. I dare say a huge amount of their customer base DO visit, read, or post on these forums.

I suppose we can all dream.

[desGT]

Originally Posted by russellw

For those who wish to speculate various conspiracy theories about the correlation between the job losses and this resignation let me say that our advice earlier this afternoon is that the two items are unrelated...

Thank goodness this posting was at then end when I read all the ridiculous rants! Sorry, but the man has a life. And regarding the sackings and "ooooh, it must be related", perhaps another view is that Bill did the "dirty work" and is at least leaving a clean ship for his successor?

My goodness, don't take it so personal or doom and gloom.

And may his successor be a good one for Aussie Ford and its people, wherever he comes from!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by XA-Coupe

I don't know the guy personally but I will say this ...
We aren't Americans, We aren't Europeans and we aren't Asians, let an Australian run an Australian company ( well, Aus operation for the Aus market )

Ditto, but it looks like tough times ahead for the oz car industry though

[XA-Coupe]

Originally Posted by 51RTE

Ditto, but it looks like tough times ahead for the oz car industry though

I agree .. long term I wonder if we will have one.. but that's another story !

[Green X]

ever think, it was due to differences in opinions between Ford HQ and FOA, I.E Bill had a plan of where he wanted to Go with FOA> Ford HQ turned around and said NO, so he Walked.

[RPO83]

Originally Posted by Green X

ever think, it was due to differences in opinions between Ford HQ and FOA, I.E Bill had a plan of where he wanted to Go with FOA> Ford HQ turned around and said NO, so he Walked.

There have always been differences, but not the determining factor for his departure. The fact Bill is leaving so soon gives his replacement a clear amount of time to get their head around things adequately.

I hope Parker chooses someone who's worked under Lewis Booth, perhaps with a Mazda background. Interesting times ahead and good luck to Bill.

[DFB FGXR6]

Both Gorman & Osborn resigned for a job "outside of the car industry". Both in the last 6 months. Both severing long standing ties with Ford. Both having stints in Australia. Something fishy is going on in my opinion. I agree with Green X , Ford HQ are probably turning the screws harder and harder.

[MISTA FIESTA]

Maybe Billy faced facts and realised that the Falcon + Territory is no longer an intergrale part of Ford Aus motoring, hence the drop in sales when its up against cheeper alternatives and that petrol prices aren't gonna go down dramatically any time soon (below $1.20) All things come to an end one day.......

If your looking for a new Managing Director to put Ford Aus back on the map, the answer isnt with a Bogan or Yank....... Its a POM..... Everything Ford that has come out of Europe/UK in the last 5-10 year shas been a step ahead of the other countries. They know what they are doing, and anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional.

[Rodp]

So that's 351 workers gone? Oh my.

[Ives]

Alright, time to update my resume then.

[SBR_1]

.......

[Brent]

If he has indeed gone for personal reasons or to take up a great opportunity elsewhere, then best of luck to him.

Nonetheless, you can't help but think that CEO of Ford Aust would be a dog of a job. Low volumes, high costs, stuff all parent company support, unionised workforce, imported competition at all time highs, record fuel prices, crappy sales, and a fickle customer base. I know life isn't supposed to be all beer & skittles, but its got to be one of the toughest gigs around.

The guy's probably moved his entire family and life to be here, and it wouldn't surprise me if he woke up one morning and after sifting through another depressing sales chart that had a perennial downward inclination he thought "WTF am I doing here?". Life goes on.

Brent.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by SBR_1

Yeh and ALOT of them are from Gorell in Geelong. And not just his ford department ither.anything he has him name to because of what has happened. So im hoping the best for my other half he keeps his job there.

The job losses they're talking about are at FoA. NOT dealers. If dealers are laying off people that's another story.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

If your looking for a new Managing Director to put Ford Aus back on the map, the answer isnt with a Bogan or Yank....... Its a POM..... Everything Ford that has come out of Europe/UK in the last 5-10 year shas been a step ahead of the other countries. They know what they are doing, and anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional.

Agreed, or a German

[duaned]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

The job losses they're talking about are at FoA. NOT dealers.

Well that's a shame! This is where staff turnover may become a good investment decision!

[ltd]

Bring back Jac!
Honestly, when Melbourne boss Jac Nasser was in charge of ford Aus, we were getting alot more clever marketing (Have you driven a ford... lately), better promotions and the company albeit in a different environment was performing better than Holden.
When he was boss of ford USA, Jac oversaw the ford explorer becoming the number 1 car in sales, as well as a raft of new product differentiation even whilst the powerful auto union constantly lobbied and striked for better pay/conditions.
The ford explorer and firestone tyres debacle ultimately spelt his demise, but even today most acknowledge that the delaminated tyres by Firestone (bridgestone) unfairly targeted the explorer and Ford for what essentially was easier to sue than a japanese concern (bridgestone).
I have been fortunate enough to meet Jac Nasser and I have to tell you, he is probably one of the smartest people I have ever met. He is passionate about Ford as well and for mine, is the only real option in these desperate times we have.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by ltd

Bring back Jac!
Honestly, when Melbourne boss Jac Nasser was in charge of ford Aus, we were getting alot more clever marketing (Have you driven a ford... lately), better promotions and the company albeit in a different environment was performing better than Holden.
When he was boss of ford USA, Jac oversaw the ford explorer becoming the number 1 car in sales, as well as a raft of new product differentiation even whilst the powerful auto union constantly lobbied and striked for better pay/conditions.
The ford explorer and firestone tyres debacle ultimately spelt his demise, but even today most acknowledge that the delaminated tyres by Firestone (bridgestone) unfairly targeted the explorer and Ford for what essentially was easier to sue than a japanese concern (bridgestone).
I have been fortunate enough to meet Jac Nasser and I have to tell you, he is probably one of the smartest people I have ever met. He is passionate about Ford as well and for mine, is the only real option in these desperate times we have.

....he also altered the AU clay mock up to give us the AU....so maybe DON'T give him full access to the design dept at night.

[csv8]

Put Lowndes in charge !!!!

[drew`SEVNT5]

OH MY!


The sky, it is falling in!