FFOracing

With all these new models coming out (Falc, Commo, Camry) got me thinking.

Ford Oz, to my knowledge, is the only local "manufacturer" that designs and engineers pretty much the entire car.

Take Holden. The engines arrive on a crate from the US, as does the transmission. The sheetmetal/body is essentially a re-engineered Opel.

Toyota and Mitsubishi's are all designed and engineered overseas. We just bolt'em together.

That leaves Ford. Engines are engineered and built here (the sixes anyway). Same with transmission, and if I'm not mistaken, the control blade IRS as well.

I think Ford does a tremendous job, and is a real showcase of local engineering and design talent. Its a pity they are the only ones doing it to the extent that Ford is.

Lots of people like to blast the locals for poor quality (like myself) but when you think of what is acheived at a fraction of what it would cost overseas, and given our tiny population and local manufacturing facilities, we come up alright I think.

Timmeh

Too right... I'm proud that Ford hand build their V8's and not just rip it out of a box like Holden.... everytime Holden bring out a car, it's a case of "seen it before", usually from Europe.

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ford.boy

Keep an eye on the Caddy CTS. I think that's where the next commode is coming from.

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"When I joined the marines all they gave us was two sticks and a rock! And we had to share the rock between the whole platoon!"
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H2 pwnz j00 foo.

Fankster_V

The VT was designed here

only opel bits were some trim

the v6 is built here, yes the v8 is imported , just like the windsor was


grasping at straws there

Holden will be GM's centre for rear wheel drive development

Hobbes

Both companies have excellent engineering centers in this country - kinda of a silly argument ...

ebxr8240

But he has a point!!

Where is the G.M V6 cast/made ??

The Caddy is front wheel drive... tmk..

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Fankster_V

its made in OZ
its adapted from a buick engine


why the constant endless point scoring
sheesh

FM

Very true.. So do Toyota & Mitsu. I rate the Oz Auto Industry as top 3 in the world for product development and R & D.

Bagging one manufacturer because of design similarities is a weak argument in my books..

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imugli

VT Commodore was based on Opel Omega (Albeit loosely). They stretch the chassis to make it larger and change the shape of the door openings to make them bigger so that us bigger aussies can get into it...

XYGTHOPhase3

Have to agree to FFOracing. There isn't a single car anywhere in any Ford division anywhere in the world the same, or even similar, to the Falcon. Camry and Magna, while both built here, can be found overseas.
The Commodore? Take an Omega, widen it a bit, put in rear suspension designed last century overseas, put in a front-drive engine turned 90 degrees or a US-built V8 into the front, and there you have an Australian car. Or in the case of HSV, bring in a US-built V8, send it back to the States, modified by outsourced tuner, bring the engines back, and then you have an Australian performance car.
At least FPV are doing their own engines.

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