Power About FPV
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) is the Melbourne-based official performance tuning division of Ford Australia, founded in 2002.
History
FPV can trace its roots back to 1991, when the Prodrive-owned Tickford joined with Ford Australia as their tuning division. The Ford Australia/Tickford partnership produced the original Falcon XR6 and XR8 models. In 2000, the FTE (Ford-Tickford Experience) outfit was formed in an effort to counter Holden Special Vehicles. It was under the FTE banner that the acclaimed T-Series was launched.
FTE's products were generally well-received, but sales were below targets. In 2002, Ford Australia launched the all-new BA Falcon. To complement the launch of the new Falcon, Ford decided that FTE needed a radical makeover. The FTE name was replaced with the new Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) moniker, an all-new range was devised (headlined by a new FPV GT, based on the Ford Falcon), and all Tickford branding disappeared.
Despite appearances, most of the personnel from the Tickford days remained. Through FPV, Ford Australia sought to rival Holden Special Vehicles, something which FTE emphatically failed to do. Sales steadily increased, and by 2006, FPV sedans were consistently outselling HSV sedans. FPV's products are generally highly rated by the motoring press (the current model F6 Typhoon was crowned Australian Performance Car Of The Year by Motor magazine in 2006.)
