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NEWS
Ford prepares for 2017
Broadmeadows remains committed to 'refreshed' Falcon and Territory, but has moved into transitionFord Australia has issued a statement today boldly announcing a comprehensive plan for the migration to full-line importing in 2017.
In passing, at the end of the statement, the company reconfirms plans to introduce revised Falcon and Territory models before the end of this year.
The statement is an amalgam of upbeat PR spin – looking forward to a bright future post manufacturing – and an expression of empathy (and an offer of practical assistance) for the workers and suppliers tied to Ford's manufacturing effort in Australia.
According to the release, Ford is already embarked on a program to help production workers find employment outside Ford. Referring to 'competitive separation packages' and 'early voluntary separations', the company claims to have already resettled 20 employees – either in new, non-manufacturing roles within the company, or in placements with other firms.
A sum of $10 million has been donated to the Federal and Victorian Governments’ Geelong Region and Melbourne’s North Innovation and Investment Funds. And Ford is liaising with Automotive Skills Australia to assist with finding work for staff. Two job fairs – one this month in Geelong and another in Broadmeadows during April – are aimed at matching current Ford production line employees to new employers.
"Helping employees transition to the next phases of their careers and lives is a critical priority for Ford," the statement quoted Ford president, Bob Graziano as saying.
Curiously, Ford anticipates being the largest employer in the local automotive industry by 2018, courtesy of its on-going R&D endeavours here, among other things. In addition to letting go of staff employed building cars, Ford anticipates recruiting 20 'marketing and sales professionals' this year, with further plans in 2015 for university graduate recruitment.
"As the industry transitions, we expect to become the country’s largest auto employer by 2018 – something we take great pride in considering this will include about 1500 highly skilled employees across professions such as engineering and design," says Graziano (pictured).
Suppliers are not forgotten, according to the Ford press release. Nine suppliers have already benefited from new business links with Ford's 'regional and global operations', and a trade fair in Geelong on the weekend of March 12-13 is expected to open up further opportunities for suppliers.
"We have seen first-hand for many years the dedication and innovation of Australia’s auto suppliers," said Graziano. "We are pleased to work with them to expand their expertise on a global scale."
Based on the tenor of the press release, Ford does not plan to mourn long or hard for its local designs and manufacturing. With effect from this year, the company is ramping up its imported vehicle range to boost its presence in the market. Introduction of the EcoSport and Transit range (Custom and two-tonne van) are expected to improve foot traffic in dealerships, with further gains from new vehicles coming on stream before the end of manufacturing in October 2016.
Between them, imported vehicles in the local Ford line-up account for nearly 80 per cent of sales during the first two months of 2014. Ford aims to have the new Focus, Mondeo, Mustang, Transit and Everest in dealers by the end of 2015.
"Ford is absolutely committed to serving our customers with world-class vehicles with advanced technologies and innovative features," Graziano concludes.
"We plan to continue this momentum by refreshing our entire line-up by 2017, including the launches of the new Focus, Mondeo, Falcon, Mustang, Transit and Everest by next year."
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Written byCarsales Staff
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