45 replies to this topic

[RTH]

Announcement this lunchtime that Ford is to close the Ford Transit manufacturing works at Southampton with the loss of 450 jobs
.....and which was not expected that a further 1000 jobs were to go at Ford's Dagenham plant with a division closure, its a pressing plant.
Yesterday Ford revealed they are also to close the Genk plant in Belgium 4500 job losses there.
This marks the end of all vehicle production in Britain a very sad day .

http://www.walesonli...00252-32102911/


Ford started car production in Manchester over 100 years ago , the first Model T rolling off the Trafford Park line in 1911.......henceforth only engines and components will be made in Britain by the Ford Motor Company
http://en.wikipedia....Ford_of_Britain


Not only great road cars were made by Ford in UK but great competition cars were developed in the plants at Dagenham Dunton and Averley & Boreham. The Halewood on Merseyside factory became a Land Rover plant owned by Tata the Indian owned steel maker some years back . Bridgend and Dagenham make only engines nowadays the petrols in Wales and Diesels in Essex - transmissions still a factory on Merseyside.
Its a sad day for the Industry.

Transit the Supervan
http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

Edited by RTH, 25 October 2012 - 15:29.

[D-Type]

I didn't realise this was the last factory in Britain manufacturing Ford vehicles. I thought the cars were still "Dagenham dustbins".

[Barry Boor]

Well, I hope it doesn't affect the Dunton design establishment. A certain P. Connew works there.

[cpbell]

Very sad. I wonder how Nissan at Sunderland and Vauxhall's commercial vehicle plant at Luton manage to make UK plants work economically, yet Ford couldn't.

[Hamish Robson]

A very sad day. I'm ex-Ford (Dagenham, Dunton, Southampton, Boreham) and have many happy memories and long-standing friends. Southampton in particular was a great place to be.

[AAGR]

Agreed, very sad. But we mustn't forget that Ford still make millions - and I mean millions - of engines in the UK every year, many at Dagenham, and many at Bridgend in South Wales, including tens of thousands of V6s and V8s supplied to Jaguar and Land Rover. Oh, and by the way, the massive gearbox plant at Halewood is still there (but separate from the JLR plant), and is now a 50% Ford joint project with Getrag.

A thought - if Transit assembly at Southampton is to close down, that factory will become totally empty. It is very close to Southampton airport, so can we please think of a motor sporting activity to keep it humming ?

[RTH]

Listening to a Southamton worker I gather the Transit production will go to Turkey.

[Macca]

A thought - if Transit assembly at Southampton is to close down, that factory will become totally empty. It is very close to Southampton airport, so can we please think of a motor sporting activity to keep it humming ?

One local rumour is that some part of Southampton Airport will be extended over the top of the M27 into the Ford site.

Paul M

Edited by Macca, 25 October 2012 - 15:36.

[kayemod]

Listening to a Southamton worker I gather the Transit production will go to Turkey.

I thought that at the Swaythling plant, they only turned out a single basic Transit model, surely all other production is in Turkey already and has been for years?

[RTH]

Indeed Ford's UK CEO said tonight all Ford transit production would now be in a single plant in Turkey. Southampton production has been run down progressively over the last 4 years At present Southampton makes just 10% of total production by next summer that will be nil. You have to wonder if this is the thin end of the wedge.

Edited by RTH, 25 October 2012 - 18:58.

[arttidesco]

Being some one who grew up in Ford's competition heyday where almost every weekend a British built Ford seemed to win a major event somewhere on the planet this is very sad news indeed.

[Tony Kingston]

I thought that at the Swaythling plant, they only turned out a single basic Transit model, surely all other production is in Turkey already and has been for years?

Transit assembly was moved from Genk to the Turkish Kocaeli plant in 2003. Southampton has only really been a "satellite" plant. IIRC, only vehicles for the RHD markets were assembled there.

Genk then became the main european plant for Mondeo, S Max, and Galaxy.

[Tony Kingston]

Well, I hope it doesn't affect the Dunton design establishment. A certain P. Connew works there.

The problem is that there are two design and development centres in Europe, Dunton and Merkenich (Cologne), and they both perform the same sort of operations. The question is whether, with the budget restrictions on new programs, there is the necessity to have the two centres working at full capacity.

[Thekirkshop]

Sad indeed, my first student placement was at Southampton in 1989, I have good memories of Colin Brooke, Ian Wainwright, Gary Appleton and all in the paint plant. It gave me a good start as I worked my way (somewhat diagonally) towards a career in racing.

[Ray Bell]

Amazing, really...

So is it really the case that the only cars Ford manufacture now in Britain are Jaguars and Astons?

[Tim Murray]

Not even those any more, Ray. Ford sold Aston Martin in 2007 to a consortium led by David Richards, Ford retaining a minority shareholding. In 2008 they sold Jaguar (and Land Rover) to the Indian conglomerate Tata.

[Ray Bell]

Who can keep up with these International changes?

There's not much at all made in Britain these days, then... Vauxhall?

[Tim Murray]

According to the figures on this page Nissan produce most vehicles in the UK, followed by Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota, Honda, Mini and GM/Vauxhall.

[RTH]

The problem is that there are two design and development centres in Europe, Dunton and Merkenich (Cologne), and they both perform the same sort of operations. The question is whether, with the budget restrictions on new programs, there is the necessity to have the two centres working at full capacity.

That in itself then is something of a worry apparently over 3000 work at Dunton ... and design offices were supposed to be the one thing the British automotive industry were especially good at.

[Roger Clark]

Regarding Vauxhall's future, Chevrolet now sponsor two Premier League football clubs. I wonder why.

[RTH]

Who can keep up with these International changes?

There's not much at all made in Britain these days, then... Vauxhall?

As you say Ray in terms of wholely owned British car manufacturers ? .... Morgan ! a few kit car makers... even the London taxi maker is in serious trouble now . What else ?

[jcbc3]

McLaren?

Or do we count them as Bahrani?

[Hamish Robson]

That in itself then is something of a worry apparently over 3000 work at Dunton ... and design offices were supposed to be the one thing the British automotive industry were especially good at.

According to the local press Dunton will be designing and developing the next generation of diesel engines::

http://www.basildonr...at_Ford_Dunton/

Dunton has been threatened with closure before and instead it expanded to double the size of when I was there in the late 80s/early 90s. The function of Dunton and Merkenich (Cologne) is very different.

[Tony Kingston]

According to the local press Dunton will be designing and developing the next generation of diesel engines::

http://www.basildonr...at_Ford_Dunton/

Dunton has been threatened with closure before and instead it expanded to double the size of when I was there in the late 80s/early 90s. The function of Dunton and Merkenich (Cologne) is very different.

Hamish, I'm not sure you can say their functions are very different. There are some differences but they are both design and development facilities and each will have design and release responsibility according to the allocated programs.

I have worked, on and off, in various FMC plants and design centres, Dunton and Merkenich, since 1994 (I have even worked on the same program as Mr. P Connew). Unfortunately I never got to Southampton.

What is a concern is that it is not only those directly employed who are affected but also the major suppliers. In Genk, for example, there is a sizeable supplier park next to the assembly plant where sub assemblies are put together and conveyed sequentially direct to the assembly lines. Those facilities are also manned and managed.

Edited by Tony Kingston, 26 October 2012 - 10:28.

[Hamish Robson]

Perhaps "program responsibilities" would be a better phrase than "functions". Apologies.

[AJB]

Who can keep up with these International changes?

There's not much at all made in Britain these days, then... Vauxhall?

Caterham!

[RTH]

I don.t even think they have a British owner do they now after the Nearns sold out ?
I think Tony Fernandes is Malaysian ?

Edited by RTH, 26 October 2012 - 12:11.

[kayemod]

I think Tony Fernandes is Malaysian ?

Yes, but he does possess a genuine ex-Colin Chapman cap, that would make him 'honorary British' as far as many of us are concerned.

[Mistron]

That in itself then is something of a worry apparently over 3000 work at Dunton ... and design offices were supposed to be the one thing the British automotive industry were especially good at.

It's depressing isn't it. I used to work in engineering design and development for pedesrian sweepers (the green machine) and Forklift trucks (Lansing Linde) - The sweepers are now American owned, and Linde are now designing in Germany. A generation ago we had a manufacturing industry, now we have 'financial services'.......... and I'm now a civil servant working in Health and Safety.

Ironically, I have recently been working on a safety product aimed at the Transit type van market.........

Lets hope I can find someone in the UK to actually make it!

[Ray Bell]

Nobody's mentioned TVR...

Are they still going? Bond?

[arttidesco]

TVR went Russian and then under some time ago and Bond was swallowed up by Reliant in the late 60's and they like wise have gone under IIRC.

[275 GTB-4]

Announcement this lunchtime that Ford is to close the Ford Transit manufacturing works at Southampton with the loss of 450 jobs
.....and which was not expected that a further 1000 jobs were to go at Ford's Dagenham plant with a division closure, its a pressing plant.
Yesterday Ford revealed they are also to close the Genk plant in Belgium 4500 job losses there.
This marks the end of all vehicle production in Britain a very sad day .

http://www.walesonli...00252-32102911/


Ford started car production in Manchester over 100 years ago , the first Model T rolling off the Trafford Park line in 1911.......henceforth only engines and components will be made in Britain by the Ford Motor Company
http://en.wikipedia....Ford_of_Britain


Not only great road cars were made by Ford in UK but great competition cars were developed in the plants at Dagenham Dunton and Averley & Boreham. The Halewood on Merseyside factory became a Land Rover plant owned by Tata the Indian owned steel maker some years back . Bridgend and Dagenham make only engines nowadays the petrols in Wales and Diesels in Essex - transmissions still a factory on Merseyside.
Its a sad day for the Industry.

Transit the Supervan
http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

This is great news for the filmmakers who did "Made in Dagenham"....means they can have at least 3 sequals

[RTH]

Other recent news that Ford Motor Co. are to pull out of the World Rally Championship at the end of this year 2012 and Malcolm Wilson's M Sport company in Cockermouth with his 230 employees will be looking for other paid work after 16 years as Ford's Rally competition dept.
There will still be some privateers with Fiestas and rumour that M sport might bid to run Bentley's GT3 endurance cars with the big Continental GT. It seems after a long delay the world economic climate is catching up with motor sport too. Its to be hoped not too many of Malcolm's staff will go.

Edited by RTH, 27 October 2012 - 08:08.

[Dipster]

TVR went Russian and then under some time ago and Bond was swallowed up by Reliant in the late 60's and they like wise have gone under IIRC.

Is it really so surprising that people are not buying so may cars nowadays? And companies such as Ford must shrink?

Will there ever be another time when Ford will sink vast sums into building GT40s, DFVs or rally Escort types (eventually available in the showoom) again?

Apart from the fact that the economy is not helping I feel that the mainstream vehicles produced by many manufacturers are not helping either. They are great to drive but are so complex. When things go wrong - and they do later if not sooner - the bills can be horrendous. Particulate flters that clog up, dual mass flywheels that self destruct, auto boxes that self destruct etc. can really be expensive to fix.

Not to mention emission regs that have consequences. I travelled to West Africa often for work over many years (up until just a month ago) and took the chance to travel overland between cities whenever possible. I often saw trucks transporting old, ex-European trucks, vans and cars down to sub-Saharan Africa for sale. It was the beginning of their 2nd or even a 3rd life. Thus you would see many older (ancient even!) Renaults and Mercedes (ERFs and Fodens too in Commonwealth counries) still running around.

Not so much now as the recent vehicles are so laden with really sophisticated kit and Euro this or that emmission stuff that many of the local "bush" mechanics cannot (yet) deal with them. The result is that you now see simpler Chinese-built vehicles on the roads there. Thus factories in Europe close, jobs are lost.

And operators in Europe have lost buyers who would previously pay for vehicles quite unuseable in Europe further reducing profits.

I feel that we have often shot ourselves in the foot with much of our legislation (emissions, health and safety etc.), reducing our competitivity in the world market place.

[W154]

Who can keep up with these International changes?

There's not much at all made in Britain these days, then... Vauxhall?

Doesn't look good for future Ford manufacturing in Australia with this news. Perhaps another announcement is imminent?
If they close down three well known plants in UK and Europe at the cost of 6000 jobs, they won't think twice about closing down low volume plants at Geelong / Broadmeadows here.
Bloody number crunchers, all they care about is the bottom line.

[Ray Bell]

Ford seem to be 'yes one day, no the next' over the Australian closure...

I think they got some government funds to stay here for a few short years, but who knows if they'll honour that?

[Tony Kingston]

Ford seem to be 'yes one day, no the next' over the Australian closure...

I think they got some government funds to stay here for a few short years, but who knows if they'll honour that?

Well I don't want to worry you but they have announced two new assembly plants in China at a cost of thirteen and a half million. They will complement the two car plants that are already there plus the Transit plant plus an engine plant. I understand there are plans for a new engine and transmission plant as well.

[Catalina Park]

Maybe if BMC/British Leyland/Rover had taken the type of tough decisions that Ford has done they might still be around today.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Tony Kingston
Well I don't want to worry you.....

Nothing Ford does anywhere worries me...

Edited by Ray Bell, 28 October 2012 - 03:59.

[PonysiteEd]

Amazing, really...

So is it really the case that the only cars Ford manufacture now in Britain are Jaguars and Astons?

As far as I know they still manufacture the AM engines in Cologne at least last year. Here is a pic at an open day.
http://www.tuningsuc...84_b645434.html

Edited by PonysiteEd, 28 October 2012 - 13:25.

[Tony Matthews]

...two new assembly plants in China at a cost of thirteen and a half million.

I know things are relartively cheap in China, but I'd be interested in seeing what sort of 'two assembly plants' you get for £13,500,000.

[PonysiteEd]

At least Ford honors Alan Manns racing victories with a new HM 50th Anniversary special edition Mustang. 500 planned.

To be shown at SEMA.

[D-Type]

I know things are relartively cheap in China, but I'd be interested in seeing what sort of 'two assembly plants' you get for £13,500,000.

That's just the "Fees"!

[RTH]

That would only just buy you a 3 bedroom flat in SW1

http://www.primeloca...etails/26762315

[Tony Kingston]

I know things are relartively cheap in China, but I'd be interested in seeing what sort of 'two assembly plants' you get for £13,500,000.

They are "joint ventures" but http://finance.yahoo...-194934032.html

My mistake, thirteen hundred million. What's a few zeros between friends?

Edited by Tony Kingston, 28 October 2012 - 20:36.

[Tony Matthews]

OK, I'll let you off!