ASH8

Breaking news...

Apparently Ford Australia is about to announce today (Thursday) that it will permanently close it's production facilities in Australia.

More to follow..

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/busine...-1226648895882

ASH8

Unless Australian Government policy changes...
General Motors Holden will be next...
Leaving only Toyota in Oz....

monchie

Auto business is still struggling around the world...

...and at least its not Mazda this time

ASH8

Confirmed...

FA to close all local manufacturing in Australia by October 2016.
Ford Australia will become an importer only.

This will be the end of RWD Ford Falcon...presumably also the Ford Falcon V8 Supercar.

FA CEO reported losses of $600 mil after tax over the past 5 years.

(Mild loss when compared to Mazda NAO $1B loss over the past 18 months.)

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Ash,

Ford vs Holden is a huge rivalry down there, right? I imagine this isn't really going over well on much of the motorsports community?

Stephen T

It's safe to say its been on the cards for a while but still a blow. Especially to the local workforce. It's a pity as the Aussies have/had a unique perspective on car design.

ASH8

Yep, there is a tone of rivalry built up over many decades, one has to remember that Ford Australia has been building cars here for over 90 years.

I think it is still sinking in Mike, the shock will happen in 2016 when thousands lose their jobs.

However, what will happen is FA will keep a large design team here, so they do all the designs in Oz, and then get Ford Thailand/China to build them for ALL world markets.

zoom44

wow. well maybe they'll have reasons to change direction by then

ASH8

Ford Australia are really hedging their bets...we have a Federal election in Sept this year, it is well know that the present (left) government will be well and truly thrown out, and go back to a conservative one.

I some how doubt a new government will re-introduce high tariff's to slow the sales march of Mazda, Koreans and others...but this is exactly what happens when you bring down all tariff barriers...we have over 50 different brands of cars here.

Graziano said...

Plus the real reason is Australian's no longer want to buy gas guzzlers like the Falcon and Holden Commodore, when we are still paying up to $1.45 a litre ($5.95 US a Gallon!!), good old oil parity pricing and greedy oil companies....

Holdens are about to release their new Commodore (face-lift) @ $5,000 off up to $10,000 off old model price...they are in a similar position to the Falcon, no one (private buyers) want these large cars.

But the REAL reason Ford is doing this is because they don't want to spent the money and invest here...perhaps they are looking for more money from a new Federal Government (good luck there).

And this...

So look at the dates...new Euro 5 Standard mandated from Nov 1, 2016, Ford Australia to close on October 2016... .

Plus Australia is too small with a far too high a wage bill...
Something is seriously wrong when a fork lift driver @ GM Holdens in my state of Adelaide can earn $1,500 a week (38 Hours) plus overtime.

ASH8

US made Ford Taurus to replace local Ford Falcon

Drive - Ford Taurus Spotted | Ford Falcon replacement

So we have Ford importing their 'new' larger car for Aussies, and GMH exporting the Aussie made Chevrolet SS to the US!?.

Part of Ford Australia's poor financial performance are the lack of exports from Australia, both GMH and Toyota Australia exports more cars than they make/sell for local use...
Ford Australia does export a few Territory's to Thailand and South Africa, about 500 a year.

PLUS they (Ford) does not want to spend any money here, they expect the taxpayer to do it for them.