Andrew Mathieson 30th May 2008 09:42:13 AM - Geelong Independent
GAS-fired power from Geelong-made car engines could save the jobs of Ford workers under a radical union plan.
Car manufacturing unions are scrambling to sell to industries the value of Ford’s six-cylinder engines as electricity generators.
The unions hope the new use for the engines will save some of the 600 jobs Geelong will lose when Ford closes its six-cylinder plant in 2010.
Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous told state parliament that excess heat from the engines – called cogeneration – should be used to “produce other forms of energy”. “These engines, which have traditionally gone into Ford cars, are suitable for conversion to a stationary product which, using gas and with the attachment of a generator, would be able to generate electricity,” he said.
Labor Upper House MP Evan Thornley was keen about the potential for saving the jobs of workers at the Geelong plant. “I believe there is an opportunity there for an industry to develop around that facility that will not only potentially continue the life of that facility for many years to come but potentially create a hub for a distributed co-generation industry,” he said.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary Ian Jones warned a cogeneration industry in Geelong was still an “embryonic concept”. “We’re looking at the possibilities for Geelong workers and Geelong manufacturing industry to continue to thrive,” he said. Mr Jones said it was still “far too early” to estimate how many Geelong jobs the union plan could save. Ford would no longer have any involvement in engine production after 2010 but its workers would have the expertise to “power things other than cars”, he said. “We think that the in-line six at Ford is one of the best engines in the world for static use,” he said. “It just seems, given this being the case and given we have one of the few manufacturing plants in the world that actually makes them, that seems it’s a bit silly to give it away.”
Ford counts $87.2m loss
Martin Watters
13May08
Car manufacturer vows to continue investment in Geelong plant despite poor financial result.
FORD Australia has announced its worst annual result in more than 15 years posting an $87.2 million loss.
But the car manufacturer's boss has committed to Geelong's operations.
Ford revealed net sales revenue of $3.3 billion from selling 108,071 vehicles in the 2007 fiscal year, with its market share dropping from 11.9 to 10.3 per cent.
The loss was the firm's worst result since 1991 and more than twice the $40-million loss it recorded in 2006.
Ford Australia president Bill Osborne wrote 2007 off as ``challenging'' and attributed ongoing company transitions for Ford selling almost 7000 fewer vehicles than the previous year.
These transitions included launching the new Falcon range, shifting production of its small Focus range to Australia by 2011 and putting its weight behind the new Mondeo, which has achieved success in Europe.
Mr Osborne also singled out Geelong's operations for ongoing investment, including the city's research and development centre and Lara's proving ground.
``We continued to make significant investments in our facilities that will help secure the long-term future of Ford in Australia,'' he said.
``These will further establish our business as a centre of automotive design and engineering excellence in the development of class-leading vehicles for Australia and overseas markets.''
The stalwart Falcon came second in the family car segment in the 2007 calendar year, while Ford's highly successful Territory remained top dog in the SUV stakes.
Almost one in four SUVs sold last year in Australia was a Territory.
Despite offering a wide range of vehicles, Mr Osborne said Ford was still looking to the once dominant Falcon to turn things around.
``The arrival of the all-new FG Falcon in May will further boost our showroom appeal,'' he said.
``Combined with the strategic decisions we are implementing to produce small cars in Australia and access to global engine technologies, our strong vehicle line-up sees Ford better positioned than ever before to maximise opportunities associated with changing consumer buying patterns.''
13May08
Car manufacturer vows to continue investment in Geelong plant despite poor financial result.
FORD Australia has announced its worst annual result in more than 15 years posting an $87.2 million loss.
But the car manufacturer's boss has committed to Geelong's operations.
Ford revealed net sales revenue of $3.3 billion from selling 108,071 vehicles in the 2007 fiscal year, with its market share dropping from 11.9 to 10.3 per cent.
The loss was the firm's worst result since 1991 and more than twice the $40-million loss it recorded in 2006.
Ford Australia president Bill Osborne wrote 2007 off as ``challenging'' and attributed ongoing company transitions for Ford selling almost 7000 fewer vehicles than the previous year.
These transitions included launching the new Falcon range, shifting production of its small Focus range to Australia by 2011 and putting its weight behind the new Mondeo, which has achieved success in Europe.
Mr Osborne also singled out Geelong's operations for ongoing investment, including the city's research and development centre and Lara's proving ground.
``We continued to make significant investments in our facilities that will help secure the long-term future of Ford in Australia,'' he said.
``These will further establish our business as a centre of automotive design and engineering excellence in the development of class-leading vehicles for Australia and overseas markets.''
The stalwart Falcon came second in the family car segment in the 2007 calendar year, while Ford's highly successful Territory remained top dog in the SUV stakes.
Almost one in four SUVs sold last year in Australia was a Territory.
Despite offering a wide range of vehicles, Mr Osborne said Ford was still looking to the once dominant Falcon to turn things around.
``The arrival of the all-new FG Falcon in May will further boost our showroom appeal,'' he said.
``Combined with the strategic decisions we are implementing to produce small cars in Australia and access to global engine technologies, our strong vehicle line-up sees Ford better positioned than ever before to maximise opportunities associated with changing consumer buying patterns.''
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