With the media hot on their heels last week, one got the feeling that Ford had its hands tied in announcing its move to a fully imported Ford Duratec V6 engine in 2010. With a total of 600 jobs relying on the local production of its in-line ‘Barra’ six-cylinder we are sure that Ford would have preferred to wait until they had some corresponding good news on the table…and now they have.
Ford announced a little after 10am this morning that they were successful in obtaining the contract to build the next generation Focus small car for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (we are hoping it will be the same as the next Euro spec Focus pictured). At the moment, the Australian delivered Ford Focus is built in South Africa.
The new contract will result in 300 new positions being created at the Broadmeadows plant when production begins in 2011. It is expected that 40,000 examples of the Focus will be built at the Broadmeadows plant each year. This will see the Broadmeadows plant operating close to its maximum capacity of 130,000 vehicles when Focus and Falcon are in full swing.
So it would appear that Ford are making every effort to maintain a viable presence in Australia and ensure that jobs for the majority of their workforce remain secure.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…when Ford Australia have the new Falcon ‘Orion’, Mondeo, Focus and Festiva on their dealership forecourts in 2008 it will mark the start of a big turn-around in their fortunes. No other brand will be able to boast as handsome and competent a range.
Source : The Age and GoAuto
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So impressive > Ford’s European designs really are fendes and B-pillars above what they’re selling in the U.S. The Focus is just another (Mondeo-esque) example of that Euro flair that’s missing in the Blue Oval’s American lineup.
I think that Ford Australia will have the best Ford model line-up in the world next year. Euro Focus and Mondeo, topped off by the new Falcon which is looking like being a stunner as well.
Not only are they all easy on the eye but they are all highly capable cars, particularly the Mondeo and Falcon.
Lucky Austalia. Ford really should consider sending its best to its homeland. It’s only right. It’s like Ferrari saying to would-be Italian buyers, “The Enzo will be sold in the U.S., Germany, Japan, U.K., U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and China, exclusively.”