Here we go. Again?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dailyne...8132a1823.html Ford Australia is reviewing its multimillion-dollar outlay on V8 supercars racing in light of shifting consumer tastes and the company's difficult economic situation. President Tom Gorman said the company's greater emphasis on more compact, fuel-efficient imported cars could threaten its investment in Falcon-based V8 racing. "We used to be the 'Falcon Car Company' and now we're not - we're expanding the franchise," said Gorman, who announced on Thursday that production of the Fairlane/LTD range would end about the end of this year. Acknowledging that Ford and Holden aren't reaching all the market through the two-make V8 supercars activities, Gorman said he was constantly questioning Ford's substantial expenditure on its racing teams. Gorman's reaction to a changing market has revealed the biggest weakness in the two-make philosophy. A potential weakness is exposed when one or both of the manufacturers are not doing well in the new-car showrooms. And in a 2007 vehicle sales year heading towards record numbers, Ford and Holden are both struggling and looking to cut costs. In an era of high petrol prices, V8-engined road cars don't have the same relevance or appeal in the marketplace as they did in the past. With the company again facing another bleak balance sheet, and vehicle sales figures down on those of last year, Ford is looking at some belt tightening. The best-selling brand in Australia (by a huge and growing margin) is Toyota, which cannot race in the closed-shop V8 supercars. Are we going to see both manufacturers drop V8s again? Dropping the Fairlane and LTD really limits the viability of Ford manufacturing here and if they are to concentrate on smaller cars there will be no need to manufacture anything in Australia. It appears Holden’s main advantage at this stage remains in its ability to build exportable vehicles and they have chosen a fairly viable market in the Middle East.