Ford announce Engine Plant Closure

Jay · 18-07-2007, 08:37

Ford expected to announce plant closure today

Quote:

FORD will hold meetings today with employees at its engine plant in Geelong, south-west of Melbourne, furthering speculation that it is about to axe 600 jobs.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) said it had been advised by shop stewards at the Geelong engine plant of meetings set down for 1pm (AEST) today.
AMWU spokesman Ian Jones said he had not been told by Ford what the meeting was about, but he strongly suspected it was to announce the company would stop making six cylinder engines in Australia.
"It has been rumoured for quite some time," Mr Jones told Channel 9.
"I've been advised this morning by our shop stewards within the area there are meetings convened for all employees for around 1pm.
"At this stage nobody has bothered to advise the union that they (Ford) will be making any official announcements. But it would appear that is very much on the cards."
It is believed Ford will cease manufacturing its locally-designed in-line six cylinder engine, fitted to its Falcon and Territory range, replacing it with an imported V6 engine.
A downturn in large car sales and a planned cut in tariffs on imported cars from 10 per cent to five per cent in 2010 and tougher new car emissions standards, also due in 2010, have prompted Ford to consider the move.
Mr Jones said if the plant was closed, up to 600 jobs would be lost in Geelong.
"It is a disaster for workers and the community in Geelong," Mr Jones said.
"But it is not just a disaster for Geelong, it is a disaster for the manufacturing industry in Australia."
Ford Australia, which was established in Geelong in 1925, also has a factory at Broadmeadows in Melbourne's north.
Comment was being sought from Ford.

www.news.com.au

BeautUtes

roadrunner · 18-07-2007, 19:12

i have heard that ford is closing there engine plant, there goes another ozzie company that our govermant couldn't be bothered helping

Slogs_01 · 18-07-2007, 19:19

No one cares.....

Nah im joking, it is a pity to see the factory close, even thought im a holden fan I still have respect for ford and hate seeing these aussie businesses goin under.

Lachy

Dazza_XL · 18-07-2007, 19:19

Uhh it's not an Aussie company to start with. Ford originally started out in the US , as did Holden (GM).
The whole company isn't leaving, just the Engine Plant will close it's doors.

The employee's have been given 3 years. Ford could have quite easily put them off in 12 months time, and introduced a new engine for Orion.
They have been given plenty of time, and will have plenty of help.
The Government, both state and federal are committed to finding these people employment once operations cease. They've already opened a fund to help the workers and the Geelong community once the plant closes, with $24 million already there for when the time comes.

The biggest problem with Ford, and the Falcon range.... They haven't fully explored the potential export market like Holden have. It's fairly clear that they can no longer rely on Australian new car sales alone to make ends meet.

A lot of things can change in 3 years people, don't forget that.

BeautUtes

Dazza_XL · 18-07-2007, 19:25

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...005961,00.html

FORD Australia says the closure of its Geelong engine plant will allow the company to improve production efficiency and cut costs.
Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane today announced the car manufacturer would close the Geelong plant in 2010, with the loss of 600 jobs.

The company said declining sales for large vehicles had prompted it to stop manufacturing its current six cylinder engine and instead it will import a new, global Duratec V6 engine, for its locally made Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory models.

Ford said its remaining 1400 workers in Geelong and 3000 in Campbellfield on Melbourne's northern outskirts would not be affected by the plant closure.

Ford Australia president Tom Gorman said its decision follows industry-wide changes in consumer behaviour, including lower demand for large cars and the corresponding increase in popularity of smaller, imported vehicles.

It said sales of locally produced vehicles as a percentage of the total industry in Australia fell from 36.1 per cent in 1998 to 19.4 per cent year-to-date in 2007.

"The Australian car market has fundamentally and permanently changed,'' Mr Gorman said.

"Our new engine strategy is a direct response to the lower manufacturing levels of locally produced large vehicles.''

The new engine will be sourced from high volume US engine facilities that are anticipated to produce approximately one million engines per year by 2011.

In contrast, Ford Australia's engine operation currently produces 70,000 engines each year.

Mr Gorman said the next stage in Ford's new manufacturing strategy was to improve the capacity its Campbellfield manufacturing plant.

"We are currently investigating a number of alternatives that will allow us to return our Campbellfield manufacturing facility to 100 per cent capacity,'' Mr Gorman said.

metal mickey · 18-07-2007, 20:10

just goes to show holden is on the right track by exporting the commodore and monaro overseas and other models

Dazza_XL · 19-07-2007, 08:09

Threads Merged.

XHoutbackgirl · 19-07-2007, 10:46

Arrr i read in the paper the other day that along with the closure of this factory they will start importing V6 engines. which makes me sad

i like the old strait 6, its been working great for years, why change it. and engine bay of a ford just wont look right if its got a V6 engine in it.

BeautUtes

Bluey's Maloo · 19-07-2007, 12:00

So a V6 in the falcon hey. Gee, that's a shame.
The old straight 6 has been around forever hey.

metal mickey · 19-07-2007, 20:05

vn commodores have 3.8 v6 originaly in a buick in america used as a front wheel drive motor for the buicks

18-07-2007, 19:12	#2 (permalink)
roadrunner Status: Feral Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Allansford Posts: 173 Rep Power: 3	Ford company i have heard that ford is closing there engine plant, there goes another ozzie company that our govermant couldn't be bothered helping

18-07-2007, 19:19	#3 (permalink)
Slogs_01 Status: Beaut Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 500 Rep Power: 3	Re: Ford company No one cares..... Nah im joking, it is a pity to see the factory close, even thought im a holden fan I still have respect for ford and hate seeing these aussie businesses goin under. Lachy __________________ Have an Aussie Experience Today! Volvo's Were Made to Keep Dickheads Outta Utes!

18-07-2007, 19:19	#4 (permalink)
Dazza_XL Status: Admin/Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Queensland. The Sunshine State. Posts: 2,575 Rep Power: 10	Re: Ford company Uhh it's not an Aussie company to start with. Ford originally started out in the US , as did Holden (GM). The whole company isn't leaving, just the Engine Plant will close it's doors. The employee's have been given 3 years. Ford could have quite easily put them off in 12 months time, and introduced a new engine for Orion. They have been given plenty of time, and will have plenty of help. The Government, both state and federal are committed to finding these people employment once operations cease. They've already opened a fund to help the workers and the Geelong community once the plant closes, with $24 million already there for when the time comes. The biggest problem with Ford, and the Falcon range.... They haven't fully explored the potential export market like Holden have. It's fairly clear that they can no longer rely on Australian new car sales alone to make ends meet. A lot of things can change in 3 years people, don't forget that. Last edited by Dazza_XL; 18-07-2007 at 19:32.

18-07-2007, 19:25	#5 (permalink)
Dazza_XL Status: Admin/Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Queensland. The Sunshine State. Posts: 2,575 Rep Power: 10	Re: Ford company http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...005961,00.html FORD Australia says the closure of its Geelong engine plant will allow the company to improve production efficiency and cut costs. Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane today announced the car manufacturer would close the Geelong plant in 2010, with the loss of 600 jobs. The company said declining sales for large vehicles had prompted it to stop manufacturing its current six cylinder engine and instead it will import a new, global Duratec V6 engine, for its locally made Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory models. Ford said its remaining 1400 workers in Geelong and 3000 in Campbellfield on Melbourne's northern outskirts would not be affected by the plant closure. Ford Australia president Tom Gorman said its decision follows industry-wide changes in consumer behaviour, including lower demand for large cars and the corresponding increase in popularity of smaller, imported vehicles. It said sales of locally produced vehicles as a percentage of the total industry in Australia fell from 36.1 per cent in 1998 to 19.4 per cent year-to-date in 2007. "The Australian car market has fundamentally and permanently changed,'' Mr Gorman said. "Our new engine strategy is a direct response to the lower manufacturing levels of locally produced large vehicles.'' The new engine will be sourced from high volume US engine facilities that are anticipated to produce approximately one million engines per year by 2011. In contrast, Ford Australia's engine operation currently produces 70,000 engines each year. Mr Gorman said the next stage in Ford's new manufacturing strategy was to improve the capacity its Campbellfield manufacturing plant. "We are currently investigating a number of alternatives that will allow us to return our Campbellfield manufacturing facility to 100 per cent capacity,'' Mr Gorman said.

18-07-2007, 20:10	#6 (permalink)
metal mickey Status: CRAZY AND MAD LOL Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: rum capital of australia Posts: 2,392 Rep Power: 6	Re: Ford company just goes to show holden is on the right track by exporting the commodore and monaro overseas and other models __________________ RUM SO MUCH MORE THAN A BREAKFAST FOOD

19-07-2007, 08:09	#7 (permalink)
Dazza_XL Status: Admin/Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Queensland. The Sunshine State. Posts: 2,575 Rep Power: 10	Re: Ford announce Engine Plant Closure *Threads Merged.*

19-07-2007, 10:46	#8 (permalink)
XHoutbackgirl Status: Feral Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bullsbrook Posts: 181 Rep Power: 2	Re: Ford announce Engine Plant Closure Arrr i read in the paper the other day that along with the closure of this factory they will start importing V6 engines. which makes me sad i like the old strait 6, its been working great for years, why change it. and engine bay of a ford just wont look right if its got a V6 engine in it. __________________ BUILT FORD TOUGH "Go the fords"

19-07-2007, 12:00	#9 (permalink)
Bluey's Maloo Status: Feral Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boyup Brook Posts: 183 Rep Power: 3	Re: Ford announce Engine Plant Closure So a V6 in the falcon hey. Gee, that's a shame. The old straight 6 has been around forever hey. __________________ I'd like to thank my sponsor, BUNDABERG RUM

19-07-2007, 20:05	#10 (permalink)
metal mickey Status: CRAZY AND MAD LOL Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: rum capital of australia Posts: 2,392 Rep Power: 6	Re: Ford announce Engine Plant Closure vn commodores have 3.8 v6 originaly in a buick in america used as a front wheel drive motor for the buicks __________________ RUM SO MUCH MORE THAN A BREAKFAST FOOD