Today marks the day Ford Australia stops production in Australia, after 91 years of manufacturing. The iconic Ford Falcon will also see the end.
Ford Australia is also letting go 600 employees as part of the plant’s closure. 160 manufacturing staffs will be relocated to Ford’s newly set up design and engineering jobs throughout Victoria. Despite the plant’s closure, Ford Australia remains as one of Ford’s global product development centre.
“Today is an emotional day for all of us at Ford. We are saying goodbye to some of our proud and committed manufacturing employees and marking an end to 91 years of manufacturing in Australia,” said president and CEO of Ford Australia, Graeme Whickman. “But, as the country’s largest automotive investor and soon employer, we have been able to transfer many employees from our plants to our design, engineering and testing facilities across Victoria.
We also appreciate the partnership and assistance provided by our unions and the federal and state governments as we have delivered retraining and other assistance programs for our team members.”
Over at Geelong, Ford’s R&D centre will continue development work. Vehicles developed in Geelong are then put to test at Ford’s test ground in Lara, just outside or Geelong. In addition to that, Ford’s development team drives across the country to test prototypes through harsh Australian conditions.
Ford Australia will donate the proceeds from the auction of the final saleable Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory to support the foundation and growth of student robotics program in Broadmeadows and Geelong schools.
Photo credit: FullBoost
