Ford Shutting Down Australian Production after 90 Years

FordFordUnited States of America, 1903 > present92 models
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has announced that it will no longer build cars in Australia in 2016. It began produced Model TsFord Model TUnited States of America, 1908 > 19205 versions
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there in 1925. The company cites high production costs and falling sales as the reason for the pull out. The official end is scheduled for October 2016. Ford operates a vehicle assembly plant and engine production factory near Melbourne. 

"Our costs are double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia. The business case simply did not stack up. Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia," said Ford Australia CEO Bob Graziano.

While production operations will end, Ford will continue to export cars to Australia and sell them to its network of 200 dealers. 

Ford says that it will keep some jobs at its Melbourne design center, but many of the 1,000 jobs in research and development will likely be lost. 

There are still two remaining domestic Australian automakers - HoldenHoldenAustralia, 1856 > present29 models
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, a division of General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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, and ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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. 

Source: Automotive News Europe