Ford Australia

Here at Passive Complicity we have been inundated with comment regarding the scheduled closure of the manufacturing arm of Ford Australia.  Two of the more interesting comments are published below, the first by our resident motoring expert, Quantum Dumpster, and doesn’t he ever go the dump?  The second is by an unidentified public relations expert.  Read, enjoy and send comments to us.

Cats and Dogs – Holden and Ford? by Quantum Dumpster

I like the title, as it relates to both a successful football team and also the products of their sponsor, the departing manufacturer.

Rather, one has to liken our American owned Multinational motor manufacturers to, dare I say the Melbourne “Demons” and the Geelong “Cats”.  But the comparison is best served by comparison between Geelong and Collingwood.

The magpies are Ford.  I know you may howl, they actually sponsor the “Cats”.   But, for the sake of literary blasphemy, the truth has to be compromised. (Is that not “Life”?)

Now, who has three Premierships from the past 5 seasons?  Who are continual “Losers”?

Who has had a flashy coach – like a Rat with a gold tooth? , and the ubiquitous “Mister Popular” (in an ironic way from Broadmeadows – the home of Ford manufacturing), as Club president?

Which team had a long serving coach, who developed young players and had a stable succession plan which has enabled a continuing winning streak?  The successful combatant has had a stream of quiet, unassuming managers, all being developed themselves for more senior roles, elsewhere in the world – beyond the parochial local cess pool. It is of course the Cats!

The irony is that the remaining American Multinational with home grown middle management, has had its heart set for thirty years on sponsoring the Magpies.

That goal has finally been achieved.  Holden now sponsor Collingwood.  The sponsor of the more successful “Cats” has “Given Up the Ghost” and is retreating.

If only the lessons available and applied by the team they do sponsor had been applied to Ford’s business plan they might still be here.

Is this another example of life’s mysterious ironies?  Q E D

And from our PR Consultant

This is how Ford announced its decision to cease all local manufacturing and lay off most of its workforce…

“Ford Accelerates Australian Business Transformation
Ford is transforming its Australian business by accelerating the introduction of new products for Australian customers, enhancing the sales and service experience, and improving its business efficiency and profitability….”

Reading the waffle-laden, upbeat opening of this press release, one would suppose they were announcing a major expansion – a welcome good-news story for a struggling industry.  But no, it was the wind-up of 88 years as a local manufacturer.

As a one-time PR consultant, this press release breaks the first rule: don’t treat your public like idiots –  they really don’t like it!  And it blows back on you very badly.
Secondly, if you have bad news to announce, do so honestly and directly, be upfront.
Thirdly, explain why the decision was unavoidable.
Fourthly, then go on to credibly show how you plan to ameliorate the consequences.

I wonder what sort of overpaid Comms Manager allowed that corporate-speak blather through?  I can tell you I would have very definitely argued down Ford’s weaseling CEO!

With this kind of approach, no wonder Ford Australia’s gone down the tube…