Geelong Advertiser - Rebecca Tucker, August 30th, 2008
EIGHT companies have thrown their support behind the Ford workers who will soon lose their jobs, signing up to the Geelong Advertiser's Jobs Drive campaign.
The employers' interest is a boost to the hundreds of Geelong manufacturing workers to be out of a job by 2010, starting in November.
Their support does not guarantee jobs for the workers but it gives them hope.
Among the eight employers are Target, Parcor, Diversitat, William Adams, McHarry's Buslines and Kempe Installation and Maintenance Services.
They contacted the newspaper in the wake of Ford's announcement last week of its plans to cull up to 350 workers between its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November.
The blow to the workers comes on top of 600 Ford Geelong job cuts from 2010 when six-cylinder engine production ends.
The company will first ask for volunteer redundancies but spokeswoman Sinead McAlary this week said it had yet to do so.
Ms McAlary said some employees had already shown interest in the redundancy packages.
The Advertiser is also taking employee details as part of its campaign and will pass them onto the interested employers who may be able to offer them work.
Ford puts front foot forward
Global Ford CEO backs Aussie Falcon "as far as I can see", but it may be front-drive
By JAMES STANFORD 26 August 2008 - Go Auto News
FORD Motor Company president and chief executive officer Alan Mulally has confirmed the long-term production future of the Falcon large car in Australia, but has signalled that the next-generation model could be very different to the current one.
Speaking to a select group of media in Melbourne today after meeting with prime minister Kevin Rudd and industry minister Kim Carr yesterday, Mr Mulally said Ford had not yet decided whether its next large-car architecture, upon which the Falcon will be based, would be rear-wheel drive.
Ford is committed to developing one global platform for its large sedans, such as the Falcon in Australia and the Taurus in the US, and earlier this year global product chief Derrick Kuzak confirmed that a RWD large-car development plan was underway.
However, Mr Mulally yesterday revealed that the RWD program was in doubt when he was asked whether fuel economy concerns could see it be replaced with a front-drive or all-wheel drive architecture.
“We haven’t decided that yet, but you are absolutely touching on the essence of it,” he said.
“Rear-wheel drive has some unique capabilities, but it will be yet to be determined whether we keep our unique rear-wheel drive or whether the bigger sedans will need to (be) all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive.”
Asked whether he had a preference for front or rear-wheel drive, Mr Mulally said: “No thoughts yet, it will be driven by what the customer wants and values and especially the fuel economy and the performance.”After answering a series of questions about whether future Falcons would be RWD, Mr Mulally remarked: “You guys are obsessed with this front and rear-wheel drive.”
Then he added: “The front-wheel drive and all-wheel drives are pretty spectacular and they are going to continue to get better.” The FoMoCo chief insisted that Ford Australia’s product development centre would still have an important role to play in future large cars, even if they did not have the RWD basis that resonates so strongly among Australian car consumers and enthusiasts.
“It is the same product development centre whether it is rear-wheel drive or... that is just the piece of technology. We are going to be using our capabilities worldwide in small, medium and large vehicles no matter what – whether they are front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive,” he said.“
"As far as I can see, the expertise we have here in Australia we will utilise for as far as I can see into the future.”Mr Mulally said there would continue to be a market for large cars such as the Falcon, even though sales were declining and small cars were becoming more of a focus for Ford.
“There will be a great market for them,” he said. “I think there will always be a Falcon size, I think there will always be an F150 (pick-up) size, I think there will be a Navigator (large SUV) size. Our best estimate of the market is that it will be about 60 per cent small, 25 per cent medium and about 15 per cent large, but each one of them are really important markets,” he said.
When asked about export potential for the Falcon, Mr Mulally indicated it could be sold around the world, but did not specify whether such a vehicle would be a Falcon or simply a Falcon equivalent that could be produced in the US.“I think the Falcon is a dynamite vehicle first of all and there is going to be a significant market worldwide for the Falcon,” he said.“Right now, the Falcon is for Australia.
We also have an equivalent of the Falcon in the United States and around the world. Now, this leads us to the Ford plan going forward because clearly the real strategy of Ford is to bring together the intellectual capability, the assets of Ford worldwide.“
So part of our plan, we call it One Ford, is to leverage these assets so that over time we will have world-class vehicles in every market segment size including the larger vehicles, so that over time they will become global platforms and then the possibilities are endless because you get the scale up you get the volume up.”
Asked again about actual Falcon exports and when such a program might begin, Mr Mulally indicated that Ford may not necessarily export the Falcon but merely the engineering knowledge behind it – as is currently the case of the T6 Ranger ute being developed in Victoria.
“We aren’t going to go that far to say specifically when, but I think the story if you can capture it is that Ford is moving towards global platforms, the leadership clearly for large vehicles, and for the Ranger and now for the Focus is now going to be out of Australia which is great,” he said.
As if the prospect of a front-wheel drive Falcon was not enough for Australian car enthusiasts, Mr Mulally also indicated that Ford’s powertrain priorities centred on smaller boosted engines – such as those being built under the new EcoBoost program – moreso than V8s. “As you know, there is a lot of opportunity to improve (the) internal combustion engine, especially with turbocharging and especially with direct fuel-injection, so I think we are going to continue to see V8s move to V6s, to V4s,” he said.
“You know, our EcoBoost strategy is to get them across all the vehicles to get the 20 to 25 per cent improvement in miles per gallon and also the 15 per cent reduction in CO2 and get them across all the vehicles as quickly as we can. And then you add that with the weight reduction and aerodynamics and the capability that it brings.
“The market will decide what (powertrain) it really values, but clearly it has to have a chance of using enabling technologies such as turbocharging, direct fuel-injection – these engines are phenomenal engines because as you know you get more torque at lower rpms whether it is manual or automatic, the driving experience with these things is even more exciting and I think the number one consideration right now is fuel prices and fuel economy.
“So I think we are going to continue to move to smaller engines, but we are not going to lose anything out of the performance.”
By JAMES STANFORD 26 August 2008 - Go Auto News
FORD Motor Company president and chief executive officer Alan Mulally has confirmed the long-term production future of the Falcon large car in Australia, but has signalled that the next-generation model could be very different to the current one.
Speaking to a select group of media in Melbourne today after meeting with prime minister Kevin Rudd and industry minister Kim Carr yesterday, Mr Mulally said Ford had not yet decided whether its next large-car architecture, upon which the Falcon will be based, would be rear-wheel drive.
Ford is committed to developing one global platform for its large sedans, such as the Falcon in Australia and the Taurus in the US, and earlier this year global product chief Derrick Kuzak confirmed that a RWD large-car development plan was underway.
However, Mr Mulally yesterday revealed that the RWD program was in doubt when he was asked whether fuel economy concerns could see it be replaced with a front-drive or all-wheel drive architecture.
“We haven’t decided that yet, but you are absolutely touching on the essence of it,” he said.
“Rear-wheel drive has some unique capabilities, but it will be yet to be determined whether we keep our unique rear-wheel drive or whether the bigger sedans will need to (be) all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive.”
Asked whether he had a preference for front or rear-wheel drive, Mr Mulally said: “No thoughts yet, it will be driven by what the customer wants and values and especially the fuel economy and the performance.”After answering a series of questions about whether future Falcons would be RWD, Mr Mulally remarked: “You guys are obsessed with this front and rear-wheel drive.”
Then he added: “The front-wheel drive and all-wheel drives are pretty spectacular and they are going to continue to get better.” The FoMoCo chief insisted that Ford Australia’s product development centre would still have an important role to play in future large cars, even if they did not have the RWD basis that resonates so strongly among Australian car consumers and enthusiasts.
“It is the same product development centre whether it is rear-wheel drive or... that is just the piece of technology. We are going to be using our capabilities worldwide in small, medium and large vehicles no matter what – whether they are front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive,” he said.“
"As far as I can see, the expertise we have here in Australia we will utilise for as far as I can see into the future.”Mr Mulally said there would continue to be a market for large cars such as the Falcon, even though sales were declining and small cars were becoming more of a focus for Ford.
“There will be a great market for them,” he said. “I think there will always be a Falcon size, I think there will always be an F150 (pick-up) size, I think there will be a Navigator (large SUV) size. Our best estimate of the market is that it will be about 60 per cent small, 25 per cent medium and about 15 per cent large, but each one of them are really important markets,” he said.
When asked about export potential for the Falcon, Mr Mulally indicated it could be sold around the world, but did not specify whether such a vehicle would be a Falcon or simply a Falcon equivalent that could be produced in the US.“I think the Falcon is a dynamite vehicle first of all and there is going to be a significant market worldwide for the Falcon,” he said.“Right now, the Falcon is for Australia.
We also have an equivalent of the Falcon in the United States and around the world. Now, this leads us to the Ford plan going forward because clearly the real strategy of Ford is to bring together the intellectual capability, the assets of Ford worldwide.“
So part of our plan, we call it One Ford, is to leverage these assets so that over time we will have world-class vehicles in every market segment size including the larger vehicles, so that over time they will become global platforms and then the possibilities are endless because you get the scale up you get the volume up.”
Asked again about actual Falcon exports and when such a program might begin, Mr Mulally indicated that Ford may not necessarily export the Falcon but merely the engineering knowledge behind it – as is currently the case of the T6 Ranger ute being developed in Victoria.
“We aren’t going to go that far to say specifically when, but I think the story if you can capture it is that Ford is moving towards global platforms, the leadership clearly for large vehicles, and for the Ranger and now for the Focus is now going to be out of Australia which is great,” he said.
As if the prospect of a front-wheel drive Falcon was not enough for Australian car enthusiasts, Mr Mulally also indicated that Ford’s powertrain priorities centred on smaller boosted engines – such as those being built under the new EcoBoost program – moreso than V8s. “As you know, there is a lot of opportunity to improve (the) internal combustion engine, especially with turbocharging and especially with direct fuel-injection, so I think we are going to continue to see V8s move to V6s, to V4s,” he said.
“You know, our EcoBoost strategy is to get them across all the vehicles to get the 20 to 25 per cent improvement in miles per gallon and also the 15 per cent reduction in CO2 and get them across all the vehicles as quickly as we can. And then you add that with the weight reduction and aerodynamics and the capability that it brings.
“The market will decide what (powertrain) it really values, but clearly it has to have a chance of using enabling technologies such as turbocharging, direct fuel-injection – these engines are phenomenal engines because as you know you get more torque at lower rpms whether it is manual or automatic, the driving experience with these things is even more exciting and I think the number one consideration right now is fuel prices and fuel economy.
“So I think we are going to continue to move to smaller engines, but we are not going to lose anything out of the performance.”
Ford demands extra assistance to compete
The Age- August 26, 2008 - 5:40AM
Ford Australia has put new pressure on the federal government for more financial assistance to remain competitive if tariffs on imported cars are halved beyond 2010.
Ford's international chief executive, Alan Mulally, has met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Industry Minister Kim Carr, days after Ford Australia announced it would cut up to 350 manufacturing jobs because of flat large-car sales, Fairfax newspapers have reported.
It is believed Mr Mulally told Mr Rudd in a 45-minute meeting that any move to cut tariffs from 10 per cent to 5 per cent in 2010, as recommended in former Victorian premier Steve Bracks' review of the car industry, would require extra "transitional assistance", Fairfax said.
The meeting was described as "very positive" by a Ford spokesman.
"There was discussion about the fact that the market has become increasingly competitive and that, for us to be able to continue to maintain our level of competitiveness in Australia, we need to work with the government on future transitional assistance programs," the spokesman said.
There was no explicit threat from Ford to pull out of Australia, the spokesman said.
"Mr Mulally reiterated the significant investment that Ford has made in Australia over the past 82-plus years, including recent significant investments such as the development of the all-new Falcon and the fact that Australia is the global engineering lead of the corporation's next global light pick-up truck," he said.
"That re-emphasised our commitment to Australia and that it is an ongoing commitment."
Neither Mr Rudd nor Mr Carr commented after the talks
Ford Australia has put new pressure on the federal government for more financial assistance to remain competitive if tariffs on imported cars are halved beyond 2010.
Ford's international chief executive, Alan Mulally, has met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Industry Minister Kim Carr, days after Ford Australia announced it would cut up to 350 manufacturing jobs because of flat large-car sales, Fairfax newspapers have reported.
It is believed Mr Mulally told Mr Rudd in a 45-minute meeting that any move to cut tariffs from 10 per cent to 5 per cent in 2010, as recommended in former Victorian premier Steve Bracks' review of the car industry, would require extra "transitional assistance", Fairfax said.
The meeting was described as "very positive" by a Ford spokesman.
"There was discussion about the fact that the market has become increasingly competitive and that, for us to be able to continue to maintain our level of competitiveness in Australia, we need to work with the government on future transitional assistance programs," the spokesman said.
There was no explicit threat from Ford to pull out of Australia, the spokesman said.
"Mr Mulally reiterated the significant investment that Ford has made in Australia over the past 82-plus years, including recent significant investments such as the development of the all-new Falcon and the fact that Australia is the global engineering lead of the corporation's next global light pick-up truck," he said.
"That re-emphasised our commitment to Australia and that it is an ongoing commitment."
Neither Mr Rudd nor Mr Carr commented after the talks
Ford job losses to have flow-on effect
Geelong Advertiser - Rebecca Tucker, August 27th, 2008
GEELONG is facing disaster as the automotive industry prepares for the fallout of Ford's latest job cuts, according to the manufacturing union.
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union car division federal secretary Ian Jones spent yesterday in talks to gauge the full impact of Ford's decision.
"It would be fair to say every automotive distributor in Geelong will be affected by this," Mr Jones said.
He did not want to panic companies but "manufacturing businesses are already running pretty close to the wind in terms of their profit margins".
"Most don't have a profit margin," he said.
On Friday, Ford announced between 300 and 350 jobs would be slashed at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November, with car production to be cut by 15 per cent.
By 2010, more than half of Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will be out of work after the company's announcement last year of its plan to axe 600 jobs when its six-cylinder engine production ends.
Mr Jones said the flow-on effect would not only hit suppliers, but the education sector could eventually feel the pain.
"The TAFE sector provides training and education on a large scale to the automotive industry so that will feel the effects," he said.
Mr Jones urged the Federal Government to implement the recommendations from a report by former Victorian premier Steve Bracks on the automotive industry.
The union supports much of the report's findings, but does not agree with Mr Bracks' call to reduce the passenger motor vehicle tariff from 10 per cent to 5 per cent by 2010.
Other recommended industry reforms include doubling of the green car innovation fund to $1 billion and establishment of a $2.5 billion automotive transition scheme that would provide subsidies to car manufacturers until 2020.
GEELONG is facing disaster as the automotive industry prepares for the fallout of Ford's latest job cuts, according to the manufacturing union.
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union car division federal secretary Ian Jones spent yesterday in talks to gauge the full impact of Ford's decision.
"It would be fair to say every automotive distributor in Geelong will be affected by this," Mr Jones said.
He did not want to panic companies but "manufacturing businesses are already running pretty close to the wind in terms of their profit margins".
"Most don't have a profit margin," he said.
On Friday, Ford announced between 300 and 350 jobs would be slashed at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November, with car production to be cut by 15 per cent.
By 2010, more than half of Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will be out of work after the company's announcement last year of its plan to axe 600 jobs when its six-cylinder engine production ends.
Mr Jones said the flow-on effect would not only hit suppliers, but the education sector could eventually feel the pain.
"The TAFE sector provides training and education on a large scale to the automotive industry so that will feel the effects," he said.
Mr Jones urged the Federal Government to implement the recommendations from a report by former Victorian premier Steve Bracks on the automotive industry.
The union supports much of the report's findings, but does not agree with Mr Bracks' call to reduce the passenger motor vehicle tariff from 10 per cent to 5 per cent by 2010.
Other recommended industry reforms include doubling of the green car innovation fund to $1 billion and establishment of a $2.5 billion automotive transition scheme that would provide subsidies to car manufacturers until 2020.
Ford move puts pressure on Rudd
The Age - Katharine Murphy, Ian Porter and Ben Schneiders, August 23, 2008
KEVIN Rudd is under intense pressure to ditch a critical recommendation of the Bracks car industry review after Ford confirmed that up to 350 jobs will be axed in Victoria, and the Australian chief quit his post.
The Prime Minister will meet Ford's American president and chief executive lan Mulally in Canberra on Monday and will be urged to ignore the Bracks recommendation to halve the automotive tariff by 2010.
After confirming the looming job losses at Broadmeadows and Geelong yesterday, Ford Australia president Bill Osborne added to the sense of disquiet in the sector by announcing he had resigned after just six months.
Mr Osborne will be in Canberra with Mr Mulally on Monday for talks with Mr Rudd and Industry Minister Kim Carr, but will finish as Ford's Australian chief next month.
With Cabinet poised to consider its response to the Bracks review, the car makers and unions are urging the Government to maintain protection for the sector and increase taxpayer support.
The Government's decision on tariffs will be a key test of its economic credentials, and Australia has trade commitments with other nations that require continued liberalisation.
But Ford's move to cut production by up to 25% would have a disastrous effect on the car parts sector, unions and industry groups warned yesterday, with one estimate that overall job losses could be in the thousands.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union vehicle secretary Ian Jones said many suppliers were already close to going out of business with three unnamed businesses "in very serious strife" because of the "collapse of automotive manufacturing".
Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers chief executive Anna Greco said Ford's decision would put "even more pressure" on the parts sector where many companies were "teetering on the brink".
"When your industry is already under incredible pressure, every additional pressure ends up making more and more businesses marginal," she said.
AMWU national secretary Dave Oliver said flow-on effects from the jobs lost at Ford's Broadmeadows and Geelong plants would be large.
"The general rule of thumb, for one job lost in a car plant there's a knock-on effect of maybe six or seven (times that amount)," he said. "So … it's going to have a significant impact."
Mr Oliver called for an immediate meeting of government, industry and unions to implement the recommendations from the Bracks report, apart from the proposed cuts to tariffs from the current 10%.
"There should be a freeze on tariffs, we said all along why would Australia proceed to reduce our tariffs at a time when the rest of the world isn't," Mr Oliver said.
Unions put a question mark over Holden as well, but the company said it had no announcements.
Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary has said rising fuel prices and changing consumer preferences had caused a decline in demand for large cars. She said production of the four-cylinder Focus would start by 2011 as Ford changed direction.
Mr Osborne said he still had "100% confidence" in Ford Australia's future.
"Since I've come on board, we have launched, and gotten approval for, a different business plan for Ford Australia over the next five years," he said.
"We're now positioning ourselves to be a regional, if not global, player … so we have to set our sights in terms of quality and cost on the best in the industry."
KEVIN Rudd is under intense pressure to ditch a critical recommendation of the Bracks car industry review after Ford confirmed that up to 350 jobs will be axed in Victoria, and the Australian chief quit his post.
The Prime Minister will meet Ford's American president and chief executive lan Mulally in Canberra on Monday and will be urged to ignore the Bracks recommendation to halve the automotive tariff by 2010.
After confirming the looming job losses at Broadmeadows and Geelong yesterday, Ford Australia president Bill Osborne added to the sense of disquiet in the sector by announcing he had resigned after just six months.
Mr Osborne will be in Canberra with Mr Mulally on Monday for talks with Mr Rudd and Industry Minister Kim Carr, but will finish as Ford's Australian chief next month.
With Cabinet poised to consider its response to the Bracks review, the car makers and unions are urging the Government to maintain protection for the sector and increase taxpayer support.
The Government's decision on tariffs will be a key test of its economic credentials, and Australia has trade commitments with other nations that require continued liberalisation.
But Ford's move to cut production by up to 25% would have a disastrous effect on the car parts sector, unions and industry groups warned yesterday, with one estimate that overall job losses could be in the thousands.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union vehicle secretary Ian Jones said many suppliers were already close to going out of business with three unnamed businesses "in very serious strife" because of the "collapse of automotive manufacturing".
Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers chief executive Anna Greco said Ford's decision would put "even more pressure" on the parts sector where many companies were "teetering on the brink".
"When your industry is already under incredible pressure, every additional pressure ends up making more and more businesses marginal," she said.
AMWU national secretary Dave Oliver said flow-on effects from the jobs lost at Ford's Broadmeadows and Geelong plants would be large.
"The general rule of thumb, for one job lost in a car plant there's a knock-on effect of maybe six or seven (times that amount)," he said. "So … it's going to have a significant impact."
Mr Oliver called for an immediate meeting of government, industry and unions to implement the recommendations from the Bracks report, apart from the proposed cuts to tariffs from the current 10%.
"There should be a freeze on tariffs, we said all along why would Australia proceed to reduce our tariffs at a time when the rest of the world isn't," Mr Oliver said.
Unions put a question mark over Holden as well, but the company said it had no announcements.
Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary has said rising fuel prices and changing consumer preferences had caused a decline in demand for large cars. She said production of the four-cylinder Focus would start by 2011 as Ford changed direction.
Mr Osborne said he still had "100% confidence" in Ford Australia's future.
"Since I've come on board, we have launched, and gotten approval for, a different business plan for Ford Australia over the next five years," he said.
"We're now positioning ourselves to be a regional, if not global, player … so we have to set our sights in terms of quality and cost on the best in the industry."
Help us find them work
Geelong Advertiser - August 23rd, 2008
TODAY the Geelong Advertiser launches a major campaign to help find jobs for each and every retrenched Ford worker who wishes to remain in the workforce.
We encourage any Ford employee looking for new employment to contact us and we will, through the pages of the newspaper, lobby the wider business community to give them a job.
We will create and manage a register of Ford workers, hand over our column space to profile their unique talents and showcase their abilities to potential employers.
In essence, we will be their champion.
And your business can be their champion, too.
We want to involve the entire business community in this positive response to undeniably bad news.
How can you help?
What ideas will you bring to the table?
How can you make a difference and provide a way forward for the families of Ford workers fearing the worst.
We know the city is undergoing a transformation in its workforce. Our blue collars are becoming whiter. The rumble of the factories is being deafened by the sounds of tapping keyboards and many in our skilled workforce are struggling to keep pace.
Geelong Advertiser editor Peter Judd said the newspaper was committed to the campaign for the greater good of the Geelong community.
"This is a time for Geelong to work together to help those Ford families fearing for their secure futures," Mr Judd said.
"We, as a newspaper, can play a vital role in promoting the skills and attributes of these skilled tradesmen and women as we seek to find them meaningful employment in Geelong.
"Yesterday's job losses announcement need not be all doom and gloom. If we, as a community can rally and find jobs for the Ford factory workers, then Geelong will emerge much stronger as a result."
TODAY the Geelong Advertiser launches a major campaign to help find jobs for each and every retrenched Ford worker who wishes to remain in the workforce.
We encourage any Ford employee looking for new employment to contact us and we will, through the pages of the newspaper, lobby the wider business community to give them a job.
We will create and manage a register of Ford workers, hand over our column space to profile their unique talents and showcase their abilities to potential employers.
In essence, we will be their champion.
And your business can be their champion, too.
We want to involve the entire business community in this positive response to undeniably bad news.
How can you help?
What ideas will you bring to the table?
How can you make a difference and provide a way forward for the families of Ford workers fearing the worst.
We know the city is undergoing a transformation in its workforce. Our blue collars are becoming whiter. The rumble of the factories is being deafened by the sounds of tapping keyboards and many in our skilled workforce are struggling to keep pace.
Geelong Advertiser editor Peter Judd said the newspaper was committed to the campaign for the greater good of the Geelong community.
"This is a time for Geelong to work together to help those Ford families fearing for their secure futures," Mr Judd said.
"We, as a newspaper, can play a vital role in promoting the skills and attributes of these skilled tradesmen and women as we seek to find them meaningful employment in Geelong.
"Yesterday's job losses announcement need not be all doom and gloom. If we, as a community can rally and find jobs for the Ford factory workers, then Geelong will emerge much stronger as a result."
Shattered workers digest grim news
Geelong Advertiser, Britt Smith - August 23rd, 2008
MORALE among workers at Ford Australia's Geelong factory was at an all-time low yesterday after the announcement of more job cuts.
Shattered staff said their futures with the company had never been so uncertain as they digested the grim news handed down in late-morning meetings.
"It's a waiting game," administrator Geoff Guy said after he heard the company would slash production by up to 25 per cent before the end of year. "People are sad and disappointed, some just shrug their shoulders and think, 'there is nothing we can do about it'.
"We have been through crap before, but there has always been a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully things will pick up here again with the production of a small car."
Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said the company planned to hire about 300 staff when it started production of the Ford Focus in 2011.
That will add another 40,000 units back into production, she said.
Senior steward Brendan Sexton believes there's a chance of stabilising local jobs, but only with Federal Government assistance.
"We are hoping (Ford's) fortunes can be turned around. That's the only positive I can take out of it," he said
But few workers shared in the positive outlook.
Instead, those who commented to waiting media turned their thoughts to the disastrous affects on their personal lives.
"I have four mouths to feed and a mortgage," an engine plant electrician said.
"Everyone is a bit cranky, a bit shell shocked."
Some said they saw it coming.
Hopes of a stable future for the Blue Oval in Geelong were dashed earlier this year after the announcement that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ended in 2010. Now the feeling is even more sombre.
"It's a sad day for Geelong," one worker said.
"You may as well turn the lights off and go somewhere sunny."
MORALE among workers at Ford Australia's Geelong factory was at an all-time low yesterday after the announcement of more job cuts.
Shattered staff said their futures with the company had never been so uncertain as they digested the grim news handed down in late-morning meetings.
"It's a waiting game," administrator Geoff Guy said after he heard the company would slash production by up to 25 per cent before the end of year. "People are sad and disappointed, some just shrug their shoulders and think, 'there is nothing we can do about it'.
"We have been through crap before, but there has always been a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully things will pick up here again with the production of a small car."
Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said the company planned to hire about 300 staff when it started production of the Ford Focus in 2011.
That will add another 40,000 units back into production, she said.
Senior steward Brendan Sexton believes there's a chance of stabilising local jobs, but only with Federal Government assistance.
"We are hoping (Ford's) fortunes can be turned around. That's the only positive I can take out of it," he said
But few workers shared in the positive outlook.
Instead, those who commented to waiting media turned their thoughts to the disastrous affects on their personal lives.
"I have four mouths to feed and a mortgage," an engine plant electrician said.
"Everyone is a bit cranky, a bit shell shocked."
Some said they saw it coming.
Hopes of a stable future for the Blue Oval in Geelong were dashed earlier this year after the announcement that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ended in 2010. Now the feeling is even more sombre.
"It's a sad day for Geelong," one worker said.
"You may as well turn the lights off and go somewhere sunny."
Hundreds of Ford workers facing the axe
Geelong Advertiser, Rebecca Tucker - August 23rd, 2008
MORE than half Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will lose their jobs after the company yesterday announced it would slash production by up to 25 per cent.
The news sent shockwaves through the Geelong plant yesterday, still reeling from Ford Australia's decision in July last year to axe 600 jobs from Geelong when its six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010.
The latest cuts will be more immediate with Ford confirming between 300 and 350 jobs will be slashed at the Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November.
As the shock news filtered to staff, workers were also sent an email announcing Ford president Bill Osborne's resignation.
The email, which a worker showed the Geelong Advertiser at the plant, said Mr Osborne, previously the head of Ford Canada, had accepted a job in North America and that his decision was not related to yesterday's announcement.
Mr Osborne later said he would leave almost immediately to take a job that was not in the automotive industry and that his decision was personal.
Ford blamed fuel prices and other economic concerns for its decision to cut car production by 15 per cent, from 52 units an hour to 40. The cuts will reduce its car manufacture from 365 to 285 a day.
That was cold comfort to the Geelong workers who last night went home not knowing if they would have a job at Christmas time.
As the news hit the media, plant supervisors were meeting with workers to tell them the grim news.
Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary told the Geelong Advertiser she could not say how many Geelong jobs would be axed but said the losses would be voluntary and expected a 50 per cent split across both plants.
She said it was "a difficult day" for Ford but the company believed its future would be positive, with plans for a new engine in 2010 and production of the Focus to begin at Broadmeadows in 2011.
She denied staff had been kept in the dark about Ford's plans and said management addressed union representatives as soon as the decision was made this week.
Ms McAlary said Ford would continue to support Geelong and the news did not mean the death knell for the company, which has a historic base in the town.
She said Ford was committed to contributing to the Federal Government's $24 million Geelong Investment and Innovation Fund announced in time for last year's job cuts.
The Government on Thursday opened the final round of grants from the fund, which offers grants for projects to create new jobs and investment in the region, as Federal Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr was in Geelong to launch a $20 million innovative regions centre to be based at Waurn Ponds.
Former Premier Steve Bracks last week released his review of the automotive industry, recommending tariffs on imported cars be halved to 5 per cent by 2010, despite job loss fears.
MORE than half Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will lose their jobs after the company yesterday announced it would slash production by up to 25 per cent.
The news sent shockwaves through the Geelong plant yesterday, still reeling from Ford Australia's decision in July last year to axe 600 jobs from Geelong when its six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010.
The latest cuts will be more immediate with Ford confirming between 300 and 350 jobs will be slashed at the Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November.
As the shock news filtered to staff, workers were also sent an email announcing Ford president Bill Osborne's resignation.
The email, which a worker showed the Geelong Advertiser at the plant, said Mr Osborne, previously the head of Ford Canada, had accepted a job in North America and that his decision was not related to yesterday's announcement.
Mr Osborne later said he would leave almost immediately to take a job that was not in the automotive industry and that his decision was personal.
Ford blamed fuel prices and other economic concerns for its decision to cut car production by 15 per cent, from 52 units an hour to 40. The cuts will reduce its car manufacture from 365 to 285 a day.
That was cold comfort to the Geelong workers who last night went home not knowing if they would have a job at Christmas time.
As the news hit the media, plant supervisors were meeting with workers to tell them the grim news.
Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary told the Geelong Advertiser she could not say how many Geelong jobs would be axed but said the losses would be voluntary and expected a 50 per cent split across both plants.
She said it was "a difficult day" for Ford but the company believed its future would be positive, with plans for a new engine in 2010 and production of the Focus to begin at Broadmeadows in 2011.
She denied staff had been kept in the dark about Ford's plans and said management addressed union representatives as soon as the decision was made this week.
Ms McAlary said Ford would continue to support Geelong and the news did not mean the death knell for the company, which has a historic base in the town.
She said Ford was committed to contributing to the Federal Government's $24 million Geelong Investment and Innovation Fund announced in time for last year's job cuts.
The Government on Thursday opened the final round of grants from the fund, which offers grants for projects to create new jobs and investment in the region, as Federal Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr was in Geelong to launch a $20 million innovative regions centre to be based at Waurn Ponds.
Former Premier Steve Bracks last week released his review of the automotive industry, recommending tariffs on imported cars be halved to 5 per cent by 2010, despite job loss fears.
Ford Australia boss resigns suddenly
Richard Blackburn, drive.com.au, August 22, 2008
Ford Australia boss Bill Osborne has resigned suddenly, less than 24 hours after the company announced it would cut 350 jobs. Ford Australia has been dealt another blow with the shock resignation of its newly appointed president Bill Osborne after just six months in the role.
Osborne, who previously headed up Ford of Canada, will leave the company almost immediately to take up a role outside the automotive industry in North America.
"The decision I made is a very personal one," said Osborne. "It in no way reflects dissatisfaction with Ford and doesn’t reflect a lack of ongoing confidence in the company. I can’t tell you how difficult this decision is. This is a fantastic company. I retain 100 per cent confidence in Ford Australia."
The shock announcement came less than 24 hours after Ford announced it would cut 350 workers from its Broadmeadows and Geelong plants and scale back production of its all-new FG Falcon due to soft sales and the worsening economic climate.
Osborne will head back to the US to take up a position as CEO of "an independent company", something he says has been a lifelong dream. “An opportunity has come my way sooner than I expected. I felt I had to take that opportunity now," said Osborne, who will leave the automotive industry after 31 years. "It’s just unfortunate that it comes at a time of great challenges in the industry but in no way reflects those challenges." Osborne says he is "quite saddened to be leaving Ford of Australia" but says there is a "good strong team in place and strong future". In a brief statement issued this afternoon Ford Motor Company executive vice president of Asia
Pacific and Africa, John Parker, says a replacement for Osborne will be announced “in due course”. "Bill has made significant contributions during his career with Ford Motor Company, and we wish him and his family all the best with his future endeavour," Parker says in the statement. "Ford Australia will continue to play a vital role in the future success of Ford Motor Company and within the Asia Pacific and Africa region, with greater input and alignment across all areas of the business, particularly product development, information technology, purchasing and marketing and sales," he says.
Osborne came to Ford at a difficult time for the company, which has been battered by poor sales of its bread and butter cars, the Ford Falcon and Territory.
Sales of large Australian-made cars have struggled in recent years due to a number of factors. The strong Australian dollar and implementation of a free trade agreement has made imported vehicles more attractive.
More recently, rising fuel prices has encouraged buyers into smaller, more effecient vehicles. Osborne's imminent resignation is the latest in a string of changes at the top of Ford and Holden.
Holden has had three managing directors in the last two years.
Ford Australia boss Bill Osborne has resigned suddenly, less than 24 hours after the company announced it would cut 350 jobs. Ford Australia has been dealt another blow with the shock resignation of its newly appointed president Bill Osborne after just six months in the role.
Osborne, who previously headed up Ford of Canada, will leave the company almost immediately to take up a role outside the automotive industry in North America.
"The decision I made is a very personal one," said Osborne. "It in no way reflects dissatisfaction with Ford and doesn’t reflect a lack of ongoing confidence in the company. I can’t tell you how difficult this decision is. This is a fantastic company. I retain 100 per cent confidence in Ford Australia."
The shock announcement came less than 24 hours after Ford announced it would cut 350 workers from its Broadmeadows and Geelong plants and scale back production of its all-new FG Falcon due to soft sales and the worsening economic climate.
Osborne will head back to the US to take up a position as CEO of "an independent company", something he says has been a lifelong dream. “An opportunity has come my way sooner than I expected. I felt I had to take that opportunity now," said Osborne, who will leave the automotive industry after 31 years. "It’s just unfortunate that it comes at a time of great challenges in the industry but in no way reflects those challenges." Osborne says he is "quite saddened to be leaving Ford of Australia" but says there is a "good strong team in place and strong future". In a brief statement issued this afternoon Ford Motor Company executive vice president of Asia
Pacific and Africa, John Parker, says a replacement for Osborne will be announced “in due course”. "Bill has made significant contributions during his career with Ford Motor Company, and we wish him and his family all the best with his future endeavour," Parker says in the statement. "Ford Australia will continue to play a vital role in the future success of Ford Motor Company and within the Asia Pacific and Africa region, with greater input and alignment across all areas of the business, particularly product development, information technology, purchasing and marketing and sales," he says.
Osborne came to Ford at a difficult time for the company, which has been battered by poor sales of its bread and butter cars, the Ford Falcon and Territory.
Sales of large Australian-made cars have struggled in recent years due to a number of factors. The strong Australian dollar and implementation of a free trade agreement has made imported vehicles more attractive.
More recently, rising fuel prices has encouraged buyers into smaller, more effecient vehicles. Osborne's imminent resignation is the latest in a string of changes at the top of Ford and Holden.
Holden has had three managing directors in the last two years.
Ford cuts could cost 2000 jobs: union
Ewin Hannan August 22, 2008
TWO thousand jobs could be lost in the automotive components sector as a result of Ford Australia¿s decision to cut 350 positions from its Victorian plants.
Unions warned today that for every job removed at Ford, six to seven could be lost across the industry. Ford blamed economic conditions, rising petrol prices and changing consumer demand for the fresh round of redundancies at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants from November.
The cuts follows Ford's announcement earlier this year that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010. Dave Oliver, national secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, said workers were concerned about the ramifications of Ford’s decision. “”The rule of thumb that’s applied is for that every one direct job you lose in the car plant, there’s another six or seven lost in services and indirect jobs in the auto components sectors,’’ he told The Australian Online.
Mr Oliver said the recent review by former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks found there were ‘’significant stresses and strains in the auto component industry’’. “”We’re worried that today’s announcement may tip some companies over or put them right to the edge,’’ he said. “”That’s why it’s important that Kevin Rudd doesn’t sit around for too long on the recommendations contained in the Bracks report.
"They need to be making decisions sooner rather than later particularly the backend about creating the environment which would attract investment, and give some certainty for potential investors. ”At the same time, (the Government) should reject the notion about reducing tariffs further from 10 to five per cent. Today’s another good example of the pressures that are on the industry and it makes no senses to us that if you would move to reduce the tariffs at a time when the industry is going on to transition’’.
Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr said he expected further job losses.
``We know that the industry is facing these acute challenges and I can't say with any certainty that there won't be further announcements in regard to job losses,'' he told Sky News. Senator
Carr continued to insist that tariff levels were a secondary issue, blaming the Howard government for a decade of inaction.
TWO thousand jobs could be lost in the automotive components sector as a result of Ford Australia¿s decision to cut 350 positions from its Victorian plants.
Unions warned today that for every job removed at Ford, six to seven could be lost across the industry. Ford blamed economic conditions, rising petrol prices and changing consumer demand for the fresh round of redundancies at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants from November.
The cuts follows Ford's announcement earlier this year that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010. Dave Oliver, national secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, said workers were concerned about the ramifications of Ford’s decision. “”The rule of thumb that’s applied is for that every one direct job you lose in the car plant, there’s another six or seven lost in services and indirect jobs in the auto components sectors,’’ he told The Australian Online.
Mr Oliver said the recent review by former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks found there were ‘’significant stresses and strains in the auto component industry’’. “”We’re worried that today’s announcement may tip some companies over or put them right to the edge,’’ he said. “”That’s why it’s important that Kevin Rudd doesn’t sit around for too long on the recommendations contained in the Bracks report.
"They need to be making decisions sooner rather than later particularly the backend about creating the environment which would attract investment, and give some certainty for potential investors. ”At the same time, (the Government) should reject the notion about reducing tariffs further from 10 to five per cent. Today’s another good example of the pressures that are on the industry and it makes no senses to us that if you would move to reduce the tariffs at a time when the industry is going on to transition’’.
Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr said he expected further job losses.
``We know that the industry is facing these acute challenges and I can't say with any certainty that there won't be further announcements in regard to job losses,'' he told Sky News. Senator
Carr continued to insist that tariff levels were a secondary issue, blaming the Howard government for a decade of inaction.
Ford to slash 350 jobs
Geelong Advertiser - August 22nd, 2008
BREAKING NEWS - Ford Australia is set to slash up to 350 jobs at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in response to lagging sales of six-cylinder cars.
The redundancies will affect workers at the two factories in mid-November. Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said changing consumer preferences, rising fuel prices and economic factors had caused a decline in the large car segment. As a result, the company will reduce the speed of its production line by 20 to 25 per cent, slashing car production from 52 units an hour to 40. This will mean about 285 cars will be produced a day, compared to the current 365, Ms McAlary said.
Management at Ford's Geelong plant is holding ``rushed'' meetings this morning as staff await a formal announcement about its latest job cuts, a worker has said.
Maintenance worker Robert Lock told the Geelong Advertiser news of the sackings filtered through the Norlane factory late yesterday but some learned of the redundancies through the media.
``We heard yesterday afternoon from one of our bosses and last night on TV about Broadmeadows losing so many jobs, and again this morning. But there's been no official confirmation from management. They are holding rushed meetings this morning,'' he said.
``My managers haven't told us as yet. There are rolling meetings going on throughout the day. I am not sure when we will be told.''
Ford said the sackings were in response to a lagging large car market and, as a result, the company will reduce the speed of its production line by 20 to 25 per cent, slashing car production from 52 units an hour to 40. Up to 350 jobs will be cut from both factories before the end of this year.
Mr Lock, an employee of 37 years, said morale at Norlane was ``very low''.
``It's a tough road to hoe, a lot of people are worried. Most are aged between mid-40s and 20, they have mortgages and young families. A lot are worried about where the money is going to come from,'' he said.
``They will first call for voluntary redundancies and if they don't get the numbers I think they will start tapping people on the shoulder. It's an inevitable thing."
``We could see it coming. We closely watch the sales figures.''
Mr Lock said staff were yesterday warned via email to expect more down days where production would stop and workers were paid 50 per cent of their daily wage to stay at home.
Ms McAlary said the job losses would be voluntary and evenly split between the Geelong and Broadmeadows plants. Ford anticipated the whole car industry would experience a downturn for the rest of the year. ``We expect the total industry to soften for the second half of this year,'' she told AAP. ``It started in July and we anticipate that we'll see more of these actions across the industry for the rest of this year. But Ms McAlary said the company planned to hire about 300 staff when it started production of the Ford Focus in 2011. That will add another 40,000 units back into production, she said. ``What we've said previously is that to cater for that we'll have to hire approximately 300 (staff) but unfortunately the action we have to take now is to manage the business in the interim.'' Ms McAlary said Ford would work with the union in line with the agreement with employees to manage the redundancies.
The new cuts follows Ford's announcement earlier this year that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010.
The decision comes at a turbulent time for Australia's automotive industry. Holden has already axed 1100 jobs in Melbourne and Adelaide.
BREAKING NEWS - Ford Australia is set to slash up to 350 jobs at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in response to lagging sales of six-cylinder cars.
The redundancies will affect workers at the two factories in mid-November. Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said changing consumer preferences, rising fuel prices and economic factors had caused a decline in the large car segment. As a result, the company will reduce the speed of its production line by 20 to 25 per cent, slashing car production from 52 units an hour to 40. This will mean about 285 cars will be produced a day, compared to the current 365, Ms McAlary said.
Management at Ford's Geelong plant is holding ``rushed'' meetings this morning as staff await a formal announcement about its latest job cuts, a worker has said.
Maintenance worker Robert Lock told the Geelong Advertiser news of the sackings filtered through the Norlane factory late yesterday but some learned of the redundancies through the media.
``We heard yesterday afternoon from one of our bosses and last night on TV about Broadmeadows losing so many jobs, and again this morning. But there's been no official confirmation from management. They are holding rushed meetings this morning,'' he said.
``My managers haven't told us as yet. There are rolling meetings going on throughout the day. I am not sure when we will be told.''
Ford said the sackings were in response to a lagging large car market and, as a result, the company will reduce the speed of its production line by 20 to 25 per cent, slashing car production from 52 units an hour to 40. Up to 350 jobs will be cut from both factories before the end of this year.
Mr Lock, an employee of 37 years, said morale at Norlane was ``very low''.
``It's a tough road to hoe, a lot of people are worried. Most are aged between mid-40s and 20, they have mortgages and young families. A lot are worried about where the money is going to come from,'' he said.
``They will first call for voluntary redundancies and if they don't get the numbers I think they will start tapping people on the shoulder. It's an inevitable thing."
``We could see it coming. We closely watch the sales figures.''
Mr Lock said staff were yesterday warned via email to expect more down days where production would stop and workers were paid 50 per cent of their daily wage to stay at home.
Ms McAlary said the job losses would be voluntary and evenly split between the Geelong and Broadmeadows plants. Ford anticipated the whole car industry would experience a downturn for the rest of the year. ``We expect the total industry to soften for the second half of this year,'' she told AAP. ``It started in July and we anticipate that we'll see more of these actions across the industry for the rest of this year. But Ms McAlary said the company planned to hire about 300 staff when it started production of the Ford Focus in 2011. That will add another 40,000 units back into production, she said. ``What we've said previously is that to cater for that we'll have to hire approximately 300 (staff) but unfortunately the action we have to take now is to manage the business in the interim.'' Ms McAlary said Ford would work with the union in line with the agreement with employees to manage the redundancies.
The new cuts follows Ford's announcement earlier this year that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010.
The decision comes at a turbulent time for Australia's automotive industry. Holden has already axed 1100 jobs in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Falcon hopes ride on 5-star safety rating
Geelong Advertiser - Britt Smith, August 7th, 2008
FORD Australia hopes a new five-star safety rating for its latest Falcon will help secure the company's future in Geelong, its president said yesterday.
The FG Falcon sedan range, which is partly manufactured at Ford's Norlane plant, achieved the top score in the latest round of the Australian New Car Assessment Program.
It is the first Australian-built car to be awarded a five-star rating.
The achievement comes little more than a year after Ford announced the closure of its Norlane engine assembly plant, costing 600 jobs.
The blue oval has previously said it would try to absorb the employees who will lose their jobs, and the federal and state governments responded with a $24 million assistance package.
Yesterday Ford Australia's president Bill Osborne said the company was "working on a plan for a better future".
"It's unfortunate that we are in a situation where we couldn't afford to continue operations in Geelong with such small volumes." he told the Geelong Advertiser.
"Our goal is not to abandon Geelong, our goal is to try to create a more viable Ford for Australia so we can create more long-term security for all our employees.
"So we just ask them for their patience and to keep hanging in there with us."
The FG Falcon's shell and engines are assembled in Geelong, but after the closure, new V6 engines for its locally produced models will be imported.
Mr Osborne said the Falcon had a great future in Australia and while the large car segment had dramatically declined, Ford's performance remained strong.
He commended Geelong's contribution to the five-star rating, and hoped staff were proud of the achievement.
The Falcon was awarded 34.6 points out of a possible 37, marginally ahead of European luxury cars including the Volvo V70, Audi A6 and the Mercedes C-Class.
Local rival Holden VE Commodore received a four-star rating.
ANCAP conducted more than 5000 simulated and 426 physical crash tests, examining safety features including airbags, electronic stability, braking, driver fatigue warnings and a reverse sensing system.
FORD Australia hopes a new five-star safety rating for its latest Falcon will help secure the company's future in Geelong, its president said yesterday.
The FG Falcon sedan range, which is partly manufactured at Ford's Norlane plant, achieved the top score in the latest round of the Australian New Car Assessment Program.
It is the first Australian-built car to be awarded a five-star rating.
The achievement comes little more than a year after Ford announced the closure of its Norlane engine assembly plant, costing 600 jobs.
The blue oval has previously said it would try to absorb the employees who will lose their jobs, and the federal and state governments responded with a $24 million assistance package.
Yesterday Ford Australia's president Bill Osborne said the company was "working on a plan for a better future".
"It's unfortunate that we are in a situation where we couldn't afford to continue operations in Geelong with such small volumes." he told the Geelong Advertiser.
"Our goal is not to abandon Geelong, our goal is to try to create a more viable Ford for Australia so we can create more long-term security for all our employees.
"So we just ask them for their patience and to keep hanging in there with us."
The FG Falcon's shell and engines are assembled in Geelong, but after the closure, new V6 engines for its locally produced models will be imported.
Mr Osborne said the Falcon had a great future in Australia and while the large car segment had dramatically declined, Ford's performance remained strong.
He commended Geelong's contribution to the five-star rating, and hoped staff were proud of the achievement.
The Falcon was awarded 34.6 points out of a possible 37, marginally ahead of European luxury cars including the Volvo V70, Audi A6 and the Mercedes C-Class.
Local rival Holden VE Commodore received a four-star rating.
ANCAP conducted more than 5000 simulated and 426 physical crash tests, examining safety features including airbags, electronic stability, braking, driver fatigue warnings and a reverse sensing system.
Engine Room Lacking
Ford's engineering flaw shocks union
Geelong Advertiser - Kerri-Ann Hobbs, August 6th, 2008
FORD'S new Falcon, complete with new V6 engine, will be ready by 2010 despite an engineering hiccup that means the motor doesn't fit the vehicle.
The blue circle's flagship vehicle's sizing problem was not unusual and was part of the engineering process, according to Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary.
But unions have questioned whether the set-back will mean some of the 600-odd staff at the company's Geelong engine plant would need to work past the 2010 dismissal date in order to fix the glitch.
"There is nothing outside the usual engineering development process," Ms McAlary said.
"The engine is being developed and there is nothing unusual outside the normal process.
"The program is proceeding as planned."
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) car division federal secretary Ian Jones said he was shocked to learn the engine was too big for the motor well, preventing the bonnet from closing.
"We haven't been able to confirm what people will be required to stay on."
"As I understand it there is an issue in respect to funding the engineering."
"It may mean that they (Ford) have to hang on to their current engine."
In July 2007, Ford Australia announced its Norlane engine plant was to close in two years, with 600 job cuts, but 60 people from the defunct casting plant could be redeployed to other roles.
Meanwhile Ford Australia is today expected to officially announce that safety regulators have given the new Falcon a five-star rating - the highest safety ranking in the competitive family car market.
Geelong Advertiser - Kerri-Ann Hobbs, August 6th, 2008
FORD'S new Falcon, complete with new V6 engine, will be ready by 2010 despite an engineering hiccup that means the motor doesn't fit the vehicle.
The blue circle's flagship vehicle's sizing problem was not unusual and was part of the engineering process, according to Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary.
But unions have questioned whether the set-back will mean some of the 600-odd staff at the company's Geelong engine plant would need to work past the 2010 dismissal date in order to fix the glitch.
"There is nothing outside the usual engineering development process," Ms McAlary said.
"The engine is being developed and there is nothing unusual outside the normal process.
"The program is proceeding as planned."
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) car division federal secretary Ian Jones said he was shocked to learn the engine was too big for the motor well, preventing the bonnet from closing.
"We haven't been able to confirm what people will be required to stay on."
"As I understand it there is an issue in respect to funding the engineering."
"It may mean that they (Ford) have to hang on to their current engine."
In July 2007, Ford Australia announced its Norlane engine plant was to close in two years, with 600 job cuts, but 60 people from the defunct casting plant could be redeployed to other roles.
Meanwhile Ford Australia is today expected to officially announce that safety regulators have given the new Falcon a five-star rating - the highest safety ranking in the competitive family car market.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
