Your thoughts on Bill Osborne so far.

[Dr Smith]

I have to say so far I've been quite impressed with Ford Oz's new Pres. It seems that his agenda is to get as much out of Ford in Australia as is possible, talking of exports and a LHD Falcon, saying diesel is definately coming rather then we're looking at it, talking the product up at every chance with some sense of knowledge based upon his huge direct experience on driving hundreds of cars previously.

I've herad that at a recent intake of grads he was very impressive as well. The American "confidence" may not be as subtle as say us aussies, however it's not a time to sit back and "see what happens"...I like the new energy he's brought, a bit like Geoff Polites who transformed Ford's image and lifted moral when it needed it badly. Let's not forget FG was developed under Tom Gorman's leadership so credit is due there, however we need someone to be more "compelling" with his bosses in the US and to try and win as much R&D on the next Falcon as is possible, have the US loosen the reigns on Ford Oz so to speak.

The FG might not be a BMW 5 series beater, but then again give BMW an FG budget or an FG projected build volume to amortise costs over and see what they would have come with....what do others think?

oops mods could you move this to the pub...sorry.

[GK]

Ford Aus are reknown for being able to a lot with a little.

GK

[Bossxr8]

At least he wants exports, Gorman just twiddled his thumbs and bent over for his US masters.

[MRJUCY]

It's too early to say really but from what I've seen so far it's looking promising.

[TUF_302]

Well he has said he think Ford ca nbe No.1 again here, so he is confident!, he does what he promises, like the mondeo wagon!, and he looks like Mr.T so he is cool lol!, so far i give him 9/10!

[belz82]

there was an article in yesterday's herald sun, and i was rather impressed. he seems confident that there is an export market, which is fantastic. would love to see him making a big difference. it's still early days, but i'm quietly confident.

[madmelon]

Apparently he was in charge of developing the previous generation of V6 engines- used in the American and European Fords and Jags. On that alone he is impressive, coz they are some fantastic engines.
His attitude seems to be alot better than some of his predecessors, which is something FoA needs. I'm pretty happy with what I've seen so far.

[lostdude]

I read in a wheels or motor article that he was previously an engineer and this is good because we all know what accountants do....

[DanielXR8]

He is doing a great job so far. It's a pretty brave fella that talks exports for Falcon when Ford HQ has all but killed that with the long wheel base lead going to the US and Ford no doubt being sensitive to what Steve Bracks said recently about the export markets for Australian based manufacturers. For those who didn't read it he all but came out and criticised Ford for not exporting Falcon and Territory to more markets.

I can't imagine in any circumstances Tom Gorman, even daring to think the idea, much less call a press conference and put his boss on the spot about exports, before he even arrives in Australia! That says to me that he really believes in the Falcon and is prepared to put his career and reputation on the line. He wins huge points from me for that.

I can't remember the article now, but he did say something along the lines that he understood that the customer experience decided wether a customer came back to the brand for a second time. Something obvious to many of us, but lacking in Ford Australia’s logic in how they have dealt with many customer issues so far, including my own.

Also the recent member who had a good experience with FPV and others about some dealer doing a good job and upgrades to dealerships etc.... could it be that Bill won't accept what has gone on before and people are sensing a change in the wind? Early to say on that, but I would imagine a man who is prepared to make a statement of commitment to a brand or car like Bill has, wouldn’t take kindly to those who he viewed as letting down the team.

Like others have said, its early days, but it is encouraging. The launch of FG and how Ford deals with issues with that car, will tell if the future is better for Ford.

Dan

[MYVYSS]

He has been great from my reports, hasnt missed one months rent and hasnt sooked about any problems with the property his family are renting...

[MR_SIDO]

having personally spoken to Bill on many occasions I find him to be a very blokey bloke who loves a laugh and is very serious about turning Ford's 9% market share around in Australia. Excellent listener with a can do attitude. I hope he hangs around for quite a while.

[XR6_190]

He looks to be a very positive leader for Ford OZ, Hopefully he's more than just a lot of talk, Serioulsly LHD Falcons, Diesel Territories, Kugas, He looks like he's bringing more and more work for our 'little outpost'.

It also seems he might finally be the person to finally turn around Ford's dismal Marketing strategies. Looks all good at the moment

[XRtowcar]

Think he will be around long enough to make a difference?
Seems to be a shorter term of office than the US presidents.

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by lostdude

I read in a wheels or motor article that he was previously an engineer and this is good because we all know what accountants do....

There is an old saying which goes:
"If you want to make more money, hire an accountant. If you want to go broke, put him in charge."

[phillyc]

I reckon he is doing a fantastic job!

He hasn't shied away from any of the medias questions and has been quite forthright in his responses. An example is the $300 curtain air-bag and his (and Trev Worthington's) response to that has been well to judge it solely on 4 airbags versus 6 airbags is 'unenlightened'. Which is a nice way of saying your a moron and stop looking for a 2 second headline!

Most importantly though, his enthusiasm shows. He is an engineer, a car loving engineer. He clearly believes that Ford Australia has unbelievable people and product. For this very reason he is looking at ways to get the best possible results.

He is clearly aware that Ford need to address their image and they also their dealer network. Big gains can be made in this regard!

What I am excited about is his willingness to tell his bosses publicly what he wants and champion those possibilities.

He is talking about producing 200,000 vehicles in LHD & RHD Falcons/Ute/Territory/Focus/Kuga all for both local consumption and also for export! He is also talking about diesel engines for all those. This is terrific.

[DirtyHarry]

From what I've seen so far, he's the best thing FoMoCo Aus has had in a long time.

He's like Uncle Geoff reincarnated, with export ambitions.

[GS608]

i sure hope he sticks around for a long time, he seems to be the perfect leader for Ford Oz atm and will deffinetly turn things around for us. Might even end up being the best President we've had?? big call i know.

[csv8]

With luck, he might bring in the Mustang, Lincolns and F Trucks. He was the designer of the new F Trucks.

[Wretched]

F trucks were already sold here, they did ok but nothing special.
Too big for here.
The mustang is rubbish quality and as much as I like them I don't think we need it here.
The quality of the Lincolns has improved over the years so maybe we could get it as the new LTD??

[MRJUCY]

Originally Posted by Wretched

The mustang is rubbish quality and as much as I like them I don't think we need it here.

Driven one lately because J.D. Power's quality survey sure doesn't agree?

[[Tonko]]

Maybe he should stop with those ads with the people standing on top of the cars...
God they annoy me, stupid, unfunny, pointless waste of money.

[iblack75]

Originally Posted by Wretched

F trucks were already sold here, they did ok but nothing special.
Too big for here.
The mustang is rubbish quality and as much as I like them I don't think we need it here.
The quality of the Lincolns has improved over the years so maybe we could get it as the new LTD??

The problem with the F-Series was that you could only buy a 250 or 350 and they were too big, whereas the F150 was just right but probably would have cut into the Falcon Ute market even though most people would consider them to be different enough. Bring in the F150's I say.

[JPFS1]

I like the man!

[McobraR]

Never seen so much articles online with an interview with Ford oz's president, and man, from what he's been saying, and this 'aura' that he's giving out... love this bastard already.

[Silver Ghia]

That explains why he's so capable of explaining technical aspects of the FG - he's an engineer!
What he said about the side curtains (or lack of) and the testing performed made real sense, something an accountant or other non technical person who normally run companies these days never can.
I'm quite impressed with him so far.

[dom_105]

I like his attitude, just what Ford Australia need at this time.

[ieatsports_cars]

i think bill osborne is going to be the best thing that ford needed at this time , i hope he does which i think he will do the ford badge proud, i also hope he will do something about the customer care at some of the ford dealer ships, the ford dealer ship where i live is down right rude iam sorry to say, and these thing also needs to be fixed , a friend had a bf ute and last year he was think about trading it in on a 07 bf gt and they would only give him 7000 dollars for the ute and they were rude to him i dont know if bill has any control over this sorts of stuff and in my experience i have never ending problem with my old ford dealer and it maked me cry :-( because i love my ford

[andrewts]

I'd buy a 6ft Bill Osborne soft toy for my kids I like him so much!

[LeadFoot81]

He's making all the right noises.

[Smoke Pursuit]

I dont see what all the fuss is about.. The test of time will show his real colours.