Export Program For Geelong-built Inline-six

[aiboart]

From John Mellor's Go Auto News

March 4, 2009 No. 472

Ford Australia in talks over export program for Geelong-built inline-six

By IAN PORTER

FORD’S engine operations at Geelong,

which late last year were saved by

government intervention and the injection

of $21 million, could soon receive a shot in

the arm from other car-makers wanting to

buy the straight-six engine.

Ford is also increasingly confi dent that

the fi nancially troubled supplier of its fourspeed

automatic transmission for Falcon and

Territory – Drivetrain Systems International

(DSI) – will survive, with receivers getting

enquiries from up to 18 parties interested in

investing in the Albury-based operation.

Speaking to GoAuto on the sidelines of

the Melbourne International Motor Show,

Ford Australia president Marin Burela said

the Geelong-made inline-six (I6) engine

was secure for the medium-term, and that the

outlook for the operation had been strengthened

by approaches from manufacturers who

wanted to use the engine.

“We are getting all sorts of interest from

different sectors on whether or not we would

be prepared to sell them some engines, for

different applications,” he said. “They want

to know would we be willing to sell them

some I6 engines.

“That’s a different angle on the Geelong

engine plant story.”

Mr Burela would not say which companies

were making the enquiries or what sort of

vehicle they would be used in. “There are

different groups around the world. I don’t

want to talk volumes.”

The Ford chief said negotiations were in

the early stages, but there was strong interest

– “it’s really encouraging”.

He said that even without any export

orders, the engine would “probably” be kept

in service until 2015 or 2016, although a

decision will be made earlier than that.

“When we get to 2012 we will look at it

again and we will then understand where the

emissions standards are heading. Then we’ll

make some decisions on whether we can

continue to upgrade the technology or make

a change (to an imported V6).”

....

Regards,

aa

[Buf-Phoon]

That's the one thing Fraud Australia has failed in. Securing exports of either finished vehicles or engines. Anything that delays the introduction of the duratec V6 is a good thing IMO.

As modders we would be starting from scratch again otherwise

[Superdan]

It's been proven to be such a brilliant base point for a big power engine, and easily achieved with small budgets.

The few people we have had on here importing them into the states and Scotland (from memory), shows that there is interest there, so why not make it readily available to them? More coin in Ford's pocket is more R&D for us, and less outsourcing to the US for other powerplants. Great starting point for a street engine, and easily adapted to drag/circuit applications. And with the amount of street/strip cars that get built in the states, who wouldn't want something a little different??

[tab]

About friggin time.

[SCRIBR]

auto industry... FTW?

p.s. who watch today tonight yesterday?

[RHR]

It will be great for ford if they can do it.

[Venom XR6]

It will most likely be engines for airport ground equipment, tugs and generators. They have tried to get supply contracts for this for a while now.