chrism697
23-07-2007, 11:58 AM
some good news
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/ford-shifts-focus-to-new-car/2007/07/23/1185042989026.html
Ford hopes to redeploy some of its Geelong workers set to lose their jobs with the closure of the city's engine plant when it starts manufacturing the next-generation Focus model in Melbourne's north.
Announcing the $180 million investment at the car maker's Broadmeadows plant this morning, Ford chief Tom Gorman said it would create 300 jobs and another 1000 associated jobs in the supply and component industry from 2011.
Mr Gorman said the investment demonstrated that Ford was in Australia for the long term and that workers at Geelong, who last week learned of the company's plans to close its engine plant in 2010, would be offered positions as part of the new project.
However, Australian Metal Workers' Union national secretary Dave Oliver said after the announcement that he did not believe the Geelong workers would be redeployed at Broadmeadows.
Premier Steve Bracks, who attended the announcement, praised Ford and its commitment to staying in Australia for the long term.
Speaking at the facility in Melbourne's north-west this morning, Australian Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said the decision represented a "major coup for Australia".
"When production starts in 2010 it will be the first locally made small vehicle in more than a decade," Mr Macfarlane said.
"The announcement is welcome news for Ford workers, the Australian automotive industry and of course, Ford Australia. It will help secure Ford's operations in Australia and will also have flow-through benefits for the supply chain, through increased sales by Australian auto component manufacturers," he said.
The Australian and Victorian Governments will contribute $20 million each to support production of the model.
Ford expects to produce more than 230,000 of the vehicles at Broadmeadows over six years from 2010.
Mr Macfarlane said the Focus, which produces lower emissions than other models, would be the "greenest" car ever manufactured in Australia.
"With surging demand for small cars in Australia, the time is right for production of a small car to return to Australia's automotive manufacturing mix," he said.
Last week, Ford refused to rule out further job cuts, as it confirmed it would close its Geelong engine plant in 2010, resulting in the direct loss of 600 positions.
Thousands of other jobs in the components industry are also at risk because of the knock-on effect of the closure of the 81-year-old engine plant.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/ford-shifts-focus-to-new-car/2007/07/23/1185042989026.html
Ford hopes to redeploy some of its Geelong workers set to lose their jobs with the closure of the city's engine plant when it starts manufacturing the next-generation Focus model in Melbourne's north.
Announcing the $180 million investment at the car maker's Broadmeadows plant this morning, Ford chief Tom Gorman said it would create 300 jobs and another 1000 associated jobs in the supply and component industry from 2011.
Mr Gorman said the investment demonstrated that Ford was in Australia for the long term and that workers at Geelong, who last week learned of the company's plans to close its engine plant in 2010, would be offered positions as part of the new project.
However, Australian Metal Workers' Union national secretary Dave Oliver said after the announcement that he did not believe the Geelong workers would be redeployed at Broadmeadows.
Premier Steve Bracks, who attended the announcement, praised Ford and its commitment to staying in Australia for the long term.
Speaking at the facility in Melbourne's north-west this morning, Australian Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said the decision represented a "major coup for Australia".
"When production starts in 2010 it will be the first locally made small vehicle in more than a decade," Mr Macfarlane said.
"The announcement is welcome news for Ford workers, the Australian automotive industry and of course, Ford Australia. It will help secure Ford's operations in Australia and will also have flow-through benefits for the supply chain, through increased sales by Australian auto component manufacturers," he said.
The Australian and Victorian Governments will contribute $20 million each to support production of the model.
Ford expects to produce more than 230,000 of the vehicles at Broadmeadows over six years from 2010.
Mr Macfarlane said the Focus, which produces lower emissions than other models, would be the "greenest" car ever manufactured in Australia.
"With surging demand for small cars in Australia, the time is right for production of a small car to return to Australia's automotive manufacturing mix," he said.
Last week, Ford refused to rule out further job cuts, as it confirmed it would close its Geelong engine plant in 2010, resulting in the direct loss of 600 positions.
Thousands of other jobs in the components industry are also at risk because of the knock-on effect of the closure of the 81-year-old engine plant.