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GT is Back!

Staff, Thursday September 5, 2002.

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GT is Back!

In a joint announcement this morning, Ford Australia President Geoff Polites and Tickford Managing Director, David Flint confirmed that the most eagerly awaited performance vehicle in Australian motoring history will return ? the GT is back!

"Australia's favourite performance car will be back as an ongoing model from early next year," said Mr Polites.

Mr Polites also announced that a key part of ensuring that the ultimate Ford performance icon would have a strong Ford identity, is the launch of a new operation, Ford Performance Vehicles.

?Today, we?re announcing the next exciting stage in our evolution to become the undisputed leading high-performance vehicle manufacturer in Australia with the launch of Ford Performance Vehicles ? the new home of performance activities for Ford.

?Ford Performance Vehicles brings together three great performance names ? Ford, Tickford and Prodrive (Tickford?s parent company) ? under one great performance brand to deliver a range of highly desirable performance vehicles that will set new standards for Australian motoring.?

Mr Polites said the creation of Ford Performance Vehicles sent a clear message that Ford Australia was embracing its rich performance heritage.

?As a result of the transition to Ford Performance Vehicles, the Tickford branding on Ford vehicles and the FTE retail brand will be retired in September.

?However, Tickford?s legendary expertise and engineering excellence will remain as an integral part of Ford Performance Vehicles. Indeed, they will play an even more important role in Ford Performance Vehicles, building excitement for the Ford brand.

?Tickford?s proven ability to build total race car dynamics into a road car will now be complemented by Prodrive?s world-renowned race and rally-winning technology and Ford Motor Company?s unrivalled racing and performance car heritage to produce the best high-performance vehicles in Australia."

Ford Performance Vehicles will link key areas of activity ? high performance vehicles, high performance parts and premium quality merchandise.

The Ford Performance Vehicles philosophy

?It?s more than just a badge or a branding change," said Ford Performance Vehicles Managing Director, Mr David Flint.

"Ford Performance Vehicles has a mission. A mission destined to produce the best locally designed and engineered high performance cars in the country,"

?It takes more than words, or a new logo to achieve that. It takes world-class facilities and an innovative team of people with experience, drive and dedication. And it takes the input of race-bred technology. Ford Performance Vehicles has all those assets and the future has never looked better."

Mr Flint said Ford Performance Vehicles would produce cars that were ?the total package".

?High performance is more than just top speed or the biggest power number. At Ford Performance Vehicles we are committed to producing a car with total driving dynamics, a car that performs just as well through corners as it does in a straight line.

?Ford Performance Vehicles is all about engineering integrity and design innovation. Tickford has never been just about bolting on bits out of a box. And nor will Ford Performance Vehicles. An FPV car will be re-engineered and built from the ground up by a group of dedicated technicians with an obsession for perfection.?

Mr Flint said safety would be an integral part of the philosophy.

?A total driving experience must include safety. At Ford Performance Vehicles we are committed to providing our customers with the latest in safety technology as well as peace-of-mind motoring.

Mr Flint said the specialised engineering and hand-assembled approach established by Tickford would continue under the new brand.

?In fact, Ford Performance Vehicles will operate the only V8 engine assembly line in Australia.?

The Ford Performance Vehicles strategy

Mr Polites said the launch of Ford Performance Vehicles signaled a watershed moment in the history of Australian performance motoring.

?Tickford was an engineering company. Ford Performance Vehicles will be a great engineering company, but also a great marketing company that engineers and markets sensational vehicles.

?As Ford Performance Vehicles takes on new and separate marketing responsibilities, we will forge even closer links between FPV and its owners.

?This total marketing support for new models has been developed in a collaborative effort between Ford, Prodrive and Tickford.?

Mr Polites said there was an absolute commitment from each partner to ensure Ford Performance Vehicles performed to its optimum.

?Commitment like that starts from the top. That's why you?ll find senior company stakeholders from Ford Australia and Ford Performance Vehicles linked by a Performance Strategy Board. This board will oversee all of Ford's performance strategies and establish the environment for Ford Performance Vehicles to thrive.

?This increased bond forged between Ford, Tickford and Prodrive is set to deliver an exciting range of products and we look forward to generating new levels of excitement for Ford fans right across the country,? Mr Polites said.

?The ownership of Ford Performance Vehicles ? shared 51:49 between Prodrive and Ford ? carries over unchanged,? Mr Polites said.

The Ford Performance Vehicles criteria

Mr Flint said only cars meeting strict criteria would earn the right to be badged a Ford Performance Vehicle.

?First and foremost, it must deliver a substantial power increase over its mainstream Ford equivalent.

"However, that power must be balanced by developments to the chassis, driveline and brakes to produce a vehicle that is exhilarating, yet safe, to drive ? a vehicle that doesn't scare its driver.

?It also has to deliver a look and feel that mirrors Ford?s motorsport heritage. And with Ford and Prodrive?s considerable racetrack heritage to call on, we?re confident the product will deliver on all fronts.?

Mr Polites said this commitment to total performance and driving dynamics would also apply to a new high performance ute range.

?And we won?t stop there. The Ford Performance Vehicles umbrella could ultimately consist of a range of high performance four, six and eight-cylinder models.?

Mr Polites said the number of Ford Performance Vehicles outlets would increase from the current 18 FTE showrooms.

?All Ford dealers will be invited to be part of Ford Performance Vehicles, provided they invest in the special training, service requirements, signage and other activities to support the new range. We certainly look forward to their involvement in the next chapter of Ford Australia?s performance heritage.?

Mr Polites said that authorized Ford Performance Vehicle dealers would cover metro and major regional centres around Australia.

?The Ford Performance Vehicles strategy allows us to conduct marketing and engineering activities around a superb range of high-performance Ford vehicles, in conjunction with our renewed presence in motorsport, and in tandem with the launch of the best Falcon we've ever seen.

?Customers and Ford fans will be left in no doubt that Ford Australia has returned to the core values of dynamics, passion and excitement that made it the first choice of enthusiast drivers."

For all the latest information on the new GT and Ford Performance Vehicles visit www.fordperformancevehicles.com.au - live from September 5.

For further information contact:
Ford Australia Communications
Phone: (03) 9359 8491

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