Former Ford Falcon factory now just an empty shell

The factory that was home to the mighty Ford Falcon for more than half a century is now just an empty shell.

The walls have come down on the 120,000sqm Campbellfield (Vic) assembly plant that ceased production in October 2016, as it continues its transformation into a retail and business park.

Now dubbed Assembly Broadmeadows, the redeveloped 60-hectare site is due to open in stages out to 2026.

Planned operations include manufacturing, technology development, large format retail, multi-story commercial office space, a 100-room hotel and a service station with truck stop.

Once complete, the developers forecast Assembly will generate 5000 jobs.

The site was purchased in 2019 by developer Pelligra Group for $82.1 million.

Pelligra also acquired Ford’s two sites an hour south in Geelong, and GM Holden’s site at Elizabeth (SA), which shut down in late 2017.

Pelligra’s partner in the $500 million Assembly project is real estate fund manager Qualitas, while property developer Citinova is managing the project.

Ford purchased the site in 1956 and the factory opened in 1959 ahead of the first XK Falcon rolling off the line in 1960. The site also became the company’s national HQ in 1961.

Various Falcon iterations and generations flowed continuously from the plant for the next 56 years, making it one of the world’s longest running auto nameplates.

Other models built there included the long-wheelbase Fairlane and LTD, the Capri sports car and the Territory SUV.

Ford retains a presence next door to Assembly via its regional R&D headquarters and a design studio. It also retains R&D facilities in Geelong and, a few kilometres north, the You Yangs proving ground at Lara.

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