Ford to close its Australian plants in 2016

Ford has confirmed it will cease its manufacturing operations in Australia by October 2016 with the loss of 1200 jobs and the Falcon brand which has been a major name in automotive history in both Australia and NZ for over 50 years (see earlier post) will cease.
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Ford Australia President and CEO Bob Graziano said the company made a loss of A$141 million (NZ$169m) after tax in the last financial year, with a loss of A$600 million (NZ$720m) over the last five years.

Ford Australia employs more than 3,500 people at its manufacturing plants at Broadmeadows, in Melbourne's north, and Geelong. However, Mr Graziano said around 650 jobs would be lost in Broadmeadows, while 510 positions would go at Geelong, and there will still be a sales presence in Australia, which, one presumes, will simply sell assembled cars from its US parent.