During its 47-year history, the iconic Oran Park Raceway in Sydney’s west has hosted thousands of touring cars and V8 Supercars and hundreds of champions. Mark Skaife and Allan Moffatt have been the most successful drivers there, with six ATCC wins a piece.

Sadly, the track is being demolished soon to make way for more ghastly development.

To make the pill a little easier to swallow you can experience the legendary Oran Park yourself, this Wednesday April 1.

Enthusiasts will have the chance push the upper limits of excitement legally in their own cars at the Track Attack Drive Day hosted by Ian Luff and his team at Ian Luff Motivation Australia.

Having been established there since 1983, Luff regards Oran Park as his second home, so feels the pain of losing it more than most.

“How do I feel about it — very upset. This place has been like my second home for 26 years….my playground,” Luff says.

“I’ve broken all sorts of lap records here and one that hadn’t been beaten for 10 years. I’m not blowing my own trumpet.”

And he’s not either. Luff speaks with infectious enthusiasm about his days at Oran Park, from the heart and with passion.

But as the name of his company suggests, Luff can turn negatives into positives in a heartbeat. It’s the end of an era but he realises life moves on and he hasn’t put all his eggs into one basket.

“We’re like McDonalds you know, we don’t just sell Big Macs.

“We do driver training, driver testing, driver development, TV advertisements.”

In other words we will be seeing a lot of Ian Luff for a while to come yet.

The track day is the perfect outlet for drivers who want to push their cars to the limit without the risk to public safety.

All drivers must be licensed and cars must be in good mechanical condition. Helmets can be provided.

Luff and his team will be on hand to provide tuition in high performance driving and answer any questions you might have on the day.

Track Attack Drive Day hosted by Ian Luff Motivation Australia:

Cost: $325

Phone: 9829 3599

If you can't get there this time, there will also be drive days on Saturday June 13 and Saturday November 28.

The event runs throughout the Easter long weekend, with Sydney’s Eastern Creek racetrack set to become a temporary shrine to help celebrate the life of Barry Sheene.

It will also double as a mecca for lovers of all things two-wheeled with plenty of activities including a swap meet and trade and club displays.

This year, the festival will feature four-time World Grand Prix champion Kork Ballington and two-time World TT Formula One champ Graeme Crosby, who will appear as guest riders in several parade laps over the weekend.

Ballington will be riding either his Kawasaki H1RA 500cc or his KR250 GP motorcycles — bikes that helped him become one of only 16 riders to win consecutive double titles on 250/350cc machines in 1978 and 1979.

On top of his World TT F1 win, his Isle of Mann Senior TT victory and several successful rides with Suzuki, Crosby will be riding the Suzuki GS1000R that netted him the Australian Swann series in 1980.

Celebrating its twentieth birthday this year the MX-5 is universally lauded for its design, performance and sales success.

The MX-5 story began in 1979 when the then Chief of the Mazda Research Department; Kenichi Yamamoto reportedly asked US automotive journalist Rob Hall what sort of car Mazda should be building for the American market. Hall responded with - a classic simple British style roadster. In affect a modenised MGB or Lotus Elan.

In 1981 Bob Hall obtained a role in planning with Mazda US by which time Yamamoto had become Chairman of Mazda, Yamamoto was also a key player in the development of the Mazda Rotary engine, so this is a story filled with success.

The car was designed around 5 key criteria;

1. the car needed to be compact and light while meeting all global safety requirements

2. the cockpit had to be comfortable for two large adults but have no wasted space.

3. a classic configuration of front engined rear wheel drive with a 50-50 weight distribution

4. Fully independent suspension

5. a stressed frame connecting engine to rear mounted diff TRANSAXLE to ensure the optimum weight distribution.

Launched on the 10th of February 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show, it received an enthusiastic response and great press coverage. That high profile coverage continued through to the initial road tests with the result that demand outstripped supply for quite sometime.

The MX-5 model timeline

1st Generation – 1989-1997 - Pop-up Headlights

• First sold with a 1.6L straight-4 engine which remained until 1993,
• 1.8 L from late ’93 to ‘97

2nd Generation – 1998 -2005

• introduced in 1998 with a slight increase in engine power
• more streamlined and less rounded design
• fixed headlights
• Glass rear window.
• Variable intake control system

3rd Generation

• Debuted 2008 Paris Auto Show
• ‘2.0 L engine.
• Rear multi-link suspension
• Option 6 speed auto with paddle-shift
• Optional retractible hardtop
• 4 star NCAP safety rating

Interestingly Pixar based the star of their movie “Cars”; Lightning McQueen on the MX-5 as well as Lightning’s twin fans Mia and Tia who are also MX-5s.

The MX-5 is the most successful two seater of all time and a worthy addition to the Carsguide Car of the Week.

Related stories

First drive: 2009 Mazda MX-5

Mazda MX-5: week 3

Mazda MX-5: week 2

Mazda MX-5: week 1

Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe: nice!

Find your very own Mazda MX-5

Both the Falcon and Territory share their underpinnings, but the brake architecture of the latest FG model Falcon is different to previous model Falcons.

However, some Falcon models in the past are known to have had braking problems.

Two years ago Ford issued a service bulletin to replace brake hoses on 200,000 Falcon BA and BFs from September 2002 until March 2007.

Of the cars affected, 1000 owners experienced brake hose problems, which were replaced.

Yesterday (Friday) the company recalled more than 80,000 Territorys in Australia, 7739 in New Zealand, 3612 in South Africa and about 60 in Thailand and Brunei.

Ford spokesperson, Sinead McAlary, said the current problem was isolated to the Territory and did not affect Falcon models.

Details of the defect were uncovered by the (your paper) Carsguide motoring section after more than 15 customers reported brake failures to Ask Smithy guru, Graham Smith.

The letters related to brake problems suffered in Territorys and Falcons.

The recall affects the bulk of Territorys on the road, built between February 1, 2004 and December 31, 2008.

A combination of factors has led to the Territory recall.

Territorys with high mileage and where owners undertake frequent cornering at full steering lock, could lead to a problem with the brakes.

The FG Falcon is also the first Falcon to achieve a five-star crash rating, making it one of the safest Falcons ever built.

Territory Turbo, Territory Ghia Turbo and the FPV F6X are not included in the recall.

Ford Australia spokeswoman, Sinead McAlary, said the problem had affected less than 2 per cent of vehicles but the company was recalling most Territorys to replace the hoses.

They will be fitted with replacement hoses that are stronger and longer, McAlary said.

An official Ford statement said that the the rear braking system will still bring the vehicle to a halt within Australian Design Rule requirements.

"If the vehicle continues to be operated in this condition, a warning light will appear on the instrument cluster to alert the driver that the vehicle's braking system requires attention," the statement said.

She said any customers with concerns were advised to contact their nearest Ford Dealer to make arrangements to have their vehicle rectified.

The front brake hoses will be replaced free of charge.

"It is a very quick fix," McAlary said.

"It should take about an hour but our technicians will also road test the vehicle."

Ford Australia is contacting customers via mail and advertising in daily newspapers in order to reach all customers.

Related stories: 

Ford Territory recall - carsguide.com.au

Ford Territory recall - news.com.au

First look: 2009 Ford Territory

Toyota Kluger Vs Ford Territory

Q: Who does this recall affect?

A: Owners of all non-turbo Ford Territory vehicles built between February 1 2004 and December 31 2008

Q Why did Ford make the recall?

A: Following Carsguide reader letters to Ask Smithy guru Graham Smith complaining about brake failures in Territory and Falcons Carsguide contacted Ford. Ford began an investigation and has now decided to recall the Territory.

Q: What if I own a Falcon?

A: While they are not part of the recall Graham Smith and Ford have advised concerned owners of 2003-onwards Falcons to contact your dealer and have your car checked over

Q: What should I do if I own a Territory?

A: Contact your nearest authorised Ford dealer to make arrangements to have your vehicle rectified. The front brake hoses will be replaced free of charge by Ford. Ford Australia will be contacting customers via mail and advertising in daily newspapers in order to reach all customers.

Q: What is wrong with the cars?

A: Ford says it has determined that under certain conditions it is possible for the vehicle to develop a front brake fluid leak, which can result in reduced braking effectiveness from the front brakes. It says the rear braking system will still stop the car. And it says that a warning light will appear on the instrument cluster to alert the driver that the vehicle's braking system requires attention.

Q: Will I lose all braking control?

A: No, Ford says that under Australian Design Rules the front and rear brakes are independently controlled. So if one fails the other will stop the car.

Q How many cars are affected?

The recall affects 83,534 Territorys in Australia, 7739 in New Zealand, 3612 in South Africa and about 60 in Thailand and Brunei.

Related stories: 

Ford Territory recall - carsguide.com.au

Ford Territory recall - news.com.au

First look: 2009 Ford Territory

Toyota Kluger Vs Ford Territory

Ford is recalling its popular Ford Territory to fix a potentially dangerous brake defect.

Details of the defect were uncovered by Carsguide after more than 15 customers reported brake failures to our Ask Smithy guru, Graham Smith.

Read the letters below...

Territorial dispute

Last year we bought a 2004 Ford Territory, which has suffered numerous problems. The rear-view mirror has been replaced twice, the bonnet needs two people to help open it, the boot door has trouble closing, the key lock worked intermittently and now doesn't work at all, and the rear driver's side window has stopped working. Last week a brake line ruptured and my foot went to the floor as I applied the brakes. I was close to home and used my handbrake to get home safely. Ford Australia will not cover the cost of the part replacement, as it is no longer under warranty and say it is due to ``wear and tear'', nota manufacturing fault. The car has done 64,000km. I believe this is a real safety issue and should be addressed. I understand this is not an isolated incident and has occurred on many occasions. Something should be done. Ford should not be able to get away with this.

All the problems you have had with the Territory should be fixed, and many of them seem like this could be done with proper adjustment. But the brake line failure is a major concern, a safety issue as you say, and should not fail in any situation unless damaged through abuse in some way, which seems unlikely. Keep pressing Ford until you get help.

Ford brakes again

How lucky some people are to have had only one broken hose in a Ford Territory. In April 2007 (54,000km), a hose burst on my right-hand side front and the pedal went straight to the ground when I was doing less than 30km/h, and the vehicle came to an ungraceful stop, up the road. In January 2008 (71,000km) the same thing happened to the left-hand side front. I was going slowly and was lucky to stop without hitting anything. Ford arranged towing and repairs, but this is serious. One day someone will be doing 100km/h and need to stop. We will read of a ``tragic accident'' that's taken a life.

It is time Ford recalled and replaced the brake hoses on all these cars to ensure the danger is eliminated. It's fortunate that no one has been killed or injured as a result of these failures. A veteran brake expert is astounded that it hasn't been the subject of a recall.

Ford brake issue

I know two people who have suffered broken brake hoses on their Ford Territories, the same as a Carsguide reader reported. One had a complete brake failure in the middle of a school zone. She had the presence of mind to pull on the handbrake to stop before hitting cars in front that were picking up children. The dealership and Ford Australia refused to fix the hoses free of charge, claiming the hoses burst due to normal wear and tear; both cars had done between 60,000-64,000km. In the end the dealership gave them a refund for the repairs. I'm concerned that someone could die as a result of this problem and Ford and people in the industry who know just keep sweeping it under the carpet.

Ford should do something about it, as you say. A failure on such a vital safety component should not happen, and it shouldn't cause a complete brake failure as you say happened to one of your friends. The failure of one brake hose will cause the loss of braking in one system, but you should still have the braking effect of the second system, even if it is diminished. One brake service centre told us they regularly see failed brake hoses, usually front but also back on occasions, on Falcons and Territories, but they're usually on high-mileage cars like taxis. A taxi operator told us they routinely replace the hoses on any BF Falcon they buy before it goes into service because of the high rate of failure on the hoses. It's claimed by people in the trade that Ford designed the hoses too short and they are under tension when installed. The aftermarket, and we believe now the Ford replacements, are a little longer and don't have the problem. It should have been a recall campaign and Ford should have fixed all cars.

Q: I have been eagerly reading the stories of failed brake hoses on Fords and thought I would add my experience to the saga. We had a problem with a brake hose on our Territory, and as a result my wife hit another car from behind. The brake hose blew and half the braking system simply failed. Fortunately no one was injured but it obviously could've been a lot worse, especially if it was a pedestrian she was avoiding. Our dealer was very cooperative and advised, both verbally and in writing that the crash was due to the faulty hose as it blew from the inside, which should never happen. Talking to Ford directly was a totally different experience. They started off sounding nice, but as soon as I described the problem they became very cold and guarded in what they were saying. Their response was very scripted and no way were they admitting any liability. The reason I called them was to advise them of the problem and also that I don't think I should be financially out of pocket because it wasn't in any way mine or my wife's fault. I'm not just talking about the cost of fixing the brakes but my excess and increased premium of car insurance. Every time I thought about it, I couldn't stomach the thought of us having to pay when someone else was at fault. After a couple of calls, Ford said they weren't obliged to pay because the car was out of warranty by a few months, but they would pay for replacing the hose. I asked why I should be paying for the excess and extra premium when the fault was theirs. I was advised that since the car was out of warranty it wasn't their responsibility! I have since sought legal advice and they are wrong. We've been meaning to formally write to Ford, but thought we wouldn't get anywhere. My lawyer said taking legal action wouldn't be worth it, but there's a principle at stake here. At the end of the day, I will always ask why am I paying for something that wasn't my fault.

I just hope I don't read about any death and/or injury due to a Ford brake hose failure it's already happened? I've been a Ford man all my life but now all of a sudden, Holden and Toyotas are looking great!!!

A: I couldnt agree more. You didnt fit the faulty part to your car, Ford did and they should be responsible for the whole cost, not just the cost of a new brake hose. That you have a letter from the dealer placing the blame on the hose puts you in a strong position legally, and Im sure you would win if you went to court. But as your lawyer said it will cost plenty to go to court, and there is always the chance Ford will come along with better lawyers and argue their way out of it, leaving you with the bill. Ford is banking on you doing nothing, as most of us do in a similar situation, and they will get away with it. We have been highlighting this problem in the hope that Ford will see the light and do something about it.

Q: After reading your stories in the Telegraph about Falcon brake hose failures I thought I would give my local dealer a ring. After a quick check they told me my car could be affected and they booked it in to have the hoses replaced. They replaced all four hoses. It was done without question and with a smile. There was no charge and I couldnt be happier.

A: It's great that you are happy, but you had to ask. If you hadn't read about the problem in the Tele you wouldn't have known there was one. Wouldn't it have been better if Ford had contacted you and told you of the problem and asked you to take your car in to have the brake hoses changed. If I was in your shoes I would have been angry with Ford for letting me and my family drive around with a potentially dangerous flaw in it. I also note with interest that the dealer replaced all brake hoses, as some are just changing the rear hoses. Its just another example of the inconsistent approach by Ford and its dealers.

Q: I have a BA Falcon and have been reading about brake line failure. What are the chances of this happening to mine? Are the front and rear brakes separate, if one goes will I still have the other or if the hoses burst will I be left with nothing? Also, should I be proactive and get something done now to prevent this happening???

A: The chances are high enough that you should do something about it. Ford president Marin Burela has advised all Falcon owners who are concerned about the problem to go to their local Ford dealer and have their car checked. I would expect that your car will be one of those affected and the Ford dealer will replace the rear brake hoses at the very minimum, although I dont believe that will fully address the problem. If a brake hose fails you shouldnt lose all braking as the front and rear brake circuits are independent and the failure of one or the other wont cause you to lose all braking.

Q: The saga over the Ford brake hose failures reminds me of the time a noted European car importer undertook to replace noisy final drives on their vehicles during routine servicing. An engineer from the manufacturer test drove the vehicle and authorized the repair if it was felt to be outside the acceptable noise range. In some instances this was done without the owners knowledge. Consumer Affairs stepped in after an irate owner that had paid big dollars to have his differential repaired found out he was disadvantaged because he chose not to have his car serviced by an authorized dealer. The importer was forced to notify all owners of that particular model that this road test and repair was available regardless of servicing arrangements. Perhaps a disgruntled Ford owner should fire off a letter to the Consumer Affairs office with a copy to the Minister and his local Member.

A: Good idea. I would urge disgruntled Falcon owners to contact Consumer Affairs as I think Falcon owners who choose not to have their cars serviced by Ford dealers are being discriminated against, and Im sure that is against the law.

Related stories:

 Ford Territory recall: Q&A 

Ford Territory recall - carsguide.com.au

Ford Territory recall - news.com.au

First look: 2009 Ford Territory

Toyota Kluger Vs Ford Territory

The recall affects 83,534 Territorys in Australia, 7739 in New Zealand, 3612 in South Africa and about 60 in Thailand and Brunei.

Details of the defect were uncovered by Carsguide after more than 15 customers reported brake failures to our Ask Smithy guru, Graham Smith.

Ask Smithy, Daily Telegraph, March 27, 2009.

Read more of the Ford Territory recall customer complaints

Carsguide answers your questions about the Ford Territory recall

The recall affects the bulk of Territorys on the road, built between February 1 2004 and December 31, 2008.

Territory Turbo, Territory Ghia Turbo and the FPV F6X are not included in the recall.

Ford Australia spokeswoman, Sinead McAlary, said the problem had affected less than 2 per cent of vehicles but the company was recalling most Territorys to replace the hoses

McAlary said the issue was isolated to the Territory and did not affect Falcon models.

The problem relates to the front brake hose, which can wear through, leading to leaking brake fluid that could render the brakes almost useless.

Ford is fitting all Territorys with replacement hoses that are stronger and longer, McAlary said.

An official Ford statement said that the the rear braking system will still bring the vehicle to a halt within Australian Design Rule requirements.

 If the vehicle continues to be operated in this condition, a warning light will appear on the instrument cluster to alert the driver that the vehicle's braking system requires attention, the statement said.

McAlary said that a Ford investigation had shown that a combination of high mileage on the vehicles, along with frequent cornering at full steering lock, could lead to a problem with the brakes.

She said any customers with concerns are advised to contact their nearest Ford Dealer to make arrangements to have their vehicle rectified.

The front brake hoses will be replaced free of charge.

Related stories:

Ford Territory recall: Q&A

Ford Territory recall - news.com.au

First look: 2009 Ford Territory

Toyota Kluger Vs Ford Territory

Last week’s Pickles auction in Sydney sold a late-model Ferrari GTB with just 2293km on the clock for $355,000, plus the 33 per cent Luxury Car Tax component.

The car was nabbed by Ateco Automotive Ltd, which distributes Ferrari in Australia and has since been onsold to an enthuasist.

Ateco spokesman, Edward Rowe, says the GTB was now back in the Ferrari fold.

“Ferrari guards its residual values jealously,” Rowe says.

Although Rowe would not comment on the price paid, Carsguide believes it was well over $500,000 and just shy of its new car price of about $600,000.

The Ferrari was one of several high-end cars that went through Pickles quarterly luxury and exotic auction.

More than $4.5 million worth of vehicles went under the hammer.

Other rich pickings included a 2006 Aston Martin Vantage sold for $162,000 and a 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo all-wheel-drive fetched $280,000. Even with the LCT component added into the price the cars were bargains.

Some home-grown performance cars also sold.

A 2007 Ford Performance Vehicles F6 Typhoon fetched $38,500, not bad when new it cost $63,310.

Apart from Pickles, GraysOnline and ManheimFowles auction houses are reporting a lift in distressed prestige sales by finance companies and cash-strapped owners and the economic crisis bites.

For the managing director of GraysOnline, Cameron Poolman, the downturn is proving a boon.

He says the traffic on Grays’ site has increased more than 25 per cent since the economy took a dive.

“We expect that it will continue to rise,” he says.

“People are still looking to buy but they’ll try to get it at a reduced price.”

Poolman says GraysOnline has helped take out the middle-man and dealers.

The upside of increased interest in cars going through auction houses is that it is helping push used values up.

Private owners and fleets are holding on to their cars for longer, leading to a shortage of used stock coming into the market.

This is lifting used prices of some popular late model cars by up to $1500.

Of the 12 off-roaders tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States just four earned a top rating of ``good'' and three were ``acceptable''.

The tests were designed by the institute to provide new roof strength ratings.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has the strongest rated roof and the Kia Sportage the weakest.

Roofs on the Honda CRV and Ford Escape are marginal, and the Kia's is poor.

The Tiguan, Subaru Forester, Jeep Patriot and a car sold in the US, the Honda Element, earn good ratings.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander rated acceptable.

The Chevrolet Equinox and Nissan Rogue, both just sold in North America, also rated acceptable.

A spokesman for the Australian New Car Assessment Program and RACV chief engineer, Michael Case, says the US test add another dimension to safety information for new car buyers.

He says ANCAP will be studying the findings.

“The roof crush rating is a useful measure of how the roof will perform in a real rollover,’’ he says.

“Rollover is the next area to go in developing tests and rating vehicles.”

He says ANCAP will need to look at the IIHS process, particularly how to assess it.

The new rating system is based on institute research showing that occupants in rollover crashes can survive better if their off-roaders have stronger roofs.

Vehicles rated good must have roofs that are more than twice as strong as minimum federal safety standards require.

``We anticipate that our roof strength test will drive improved rollover crash protection the same way that our frontal offset and side impact consumer test programs have led to better protection in these kinds of crashes,'' institute president Adrian Lund, says.

The Institute recognises that vehicle roof structures have become stronger over the past few years.
Part of the reason is that carmakers have made structural improvements to earn better front and side crash ratings.

Strong A and B pillars help prevent intrusion in these types of crashes and also help hold up the roof.

``It's not surprising that Volkswagen and Subaru earn good ratings in our new roof test because these carmakers were among the first to ace our front and side tests,'' Lund says.

In the United States more than 10,000 people a year are killed in rollovers.

When vehicles roll, their roofs often hit the ground with considerable force, deforming and crushing.

Stronger roofs crush less, reducing the risk that occupants will be injured by contact with the roof itself.

Stronger roofs can also prevent occupants, especially those not wearing seatbelts, from being ejected.
In the US, about 25 per cent of deaths in car and van crashes are rollovers but in off-roaders this jumps to 59 per cent.

The RACV’s Case says the incidence of rollovers in Australia is lower “but there is still a high chance of death or serious injury”.

In the institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against one side of a roof near the A-pillar.

To earn a good rating, the roof must withstand a force of four times the vehicle's weight before reaching 12cm of crush.
 
 

The change in direction is being assessed against the backdrop of falling sales for the flagship Falcon and the failure of the F6 X based on the Territory SUV, which has just been cut from Ford Australia's showrooms.

Planning for a more-flexible future is about to shift into top gear at company headquarters in Campbellfield, according to FPV's British boss, David Richards.

"We have to be flexible under the current circumstances and look into the future and work very closely with Ford to adapt the product that we produce to what the market requires," says Richards, speaking while watching his Ford Performance Racing team in action at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

"I see a very strong partnership in the past continuing for some time.

It's just that it will be in a different guise in the future and more flexible."

Richards, who built FPV in Melbourne as an extension of his Prodrive motorsport and special vehicles company in the UK, says the hot Ford shop still has a solid future and he is confident it will survive any short-term downturns.

"The fundamentals are not about the individual cars, it's about the principle of what FPV can deliver to Ford," says Richards.

"What it does is provide a very flexible partner. Historically we have produced a range of performance cars, but who is to say that in the future we couldn't be adapting cars for other requirements.

"A lot of that is that a large factory like Ford Australia is very efficient at producing volume models, but quite often you do need 1000- off or 2000-off special vehicles that need to be done off the production line. And having the ability to that just next door to Campbellfield has been a great asset over the years."

Richards says the situation is the same across the world and has created new opportunities for Prodrive in the UK.

"Recently we did an Alfa Romeo in Europe for the UK, because the feeling was that the product that had been produced for Italy and the rest of Europe didn't suit the British roads. And they wanted it tuned for British roads. And it's been a great success.

"Of course we've done other products in the past. The last Focus RS was done by us for Ford."

He says the workload for specialist companies that can engineer and build smaller-volume cars is only going to increase.

"As the car companies slim down their facilities and focus on really delivering efficiencies into their model ranges, so the place for a business such as FPV - or Prodrive in Europe, for that matter - becomes even more important and valuable.

"That's what we do in Europe, more and more, for different manufacturers. It is often driven by the sales and marketing teams, who look for a particular product for a niche for a particular marketplace."

So Richards admits there will be a changing job description for FPV.

"All we've got to do is adapt to the product requirements of the future. Whether that is small vehicles, whether it is still a smaller number of high-performance V8s, or what it's going to be is still a little hard to determine. But that's our role.

But does Richards see the Falcon as the future of FPV?

"Not necessarily. That's what its heritage is based on, but I fundamentally believe we've got to be flexible. If that means leaning towards smaller performance vehicles, the Ford Focus or whatever, then so be it.

"We work very closely with Ford and I'm very confident of our ability to do that."