Ford’s Melbourne, Australia, office announced earlier today that it will be cutting 450 jobs in response to weak sales and the global economic crunch. Today’s announced reductions, which will take place by the end of the calendar year, bring the total to about 1,400 job losses at Ford in Australia during the last 15 months.
The cuts are in Ford’s manufacturing and office staff, who will be offered buyouts similar to the numerous cuts Ford has made in North America in the last couple of years.
There have been many rumors that Ford’s North American operations would pull research and development and, potentially, products from its Australian outfit. Ford has several products that are unique to Australia and only a handful of other markets.
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10/16, 1:30 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Ford’s retarded. I was just looking at their Australian offerings and my goodness, there are turbo diesels, turbo inline 6s, direct injection everywhere, 6 speed manuals available on just about everything, 6 speed autos- it’s like some vast undiscovered treasure trove or automotive candy store. And they want to pull R&D out of there? Hell, I say give ‘em our sh*tbox lineup and we’ll take theirs. I’m sure I can drive from the right seat; I’ll just close the other eye when I’ve had one too many.
10/16, 6:06 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
“I come from a land down under
where 450 jobs were set a sunder
Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover.”
10/16, 7:10 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I hope they cut the guy that designed the “thing” in the picture. Sorry, I wouldn’t even give that a second look.
10/17, 4:00 AM
posted by:
V2
The ‘economic downturn’ is the excuse to all the problems in the world right now but the reason ford is having problems is becasue their cars are s**t………….plain and simple, their targeted audience are families and rednecks………….really hope fords dies in this country….and holden too. Really don’t see what purpose they serve.
10/17, 7:14 AM
posted by:
bghewy
That thing that you would not give a second look to is one of the Top selling vehicles in Australia. It has a greater payload than a F-150 and a **** load better fuel economy. Other comments made by people here i could not agree more with, like the fact that the Ford Australia product lineup is awesome, we have a range of vehicles from Europe along with the locally made Falcon rear wheel drive and territory SUV.
Ford US needs to open its eyes, if they dont give the rear wheel drive development to Ford Australia then they can give up. GM has realised what Australians can do on tight budgets, so should Ford.
10/17, 8:45 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
^^^^^^^^^^^yep. I totally agree.
10/21, 2:27 AM
posted by:
falcodore
The american car companies have been so insular for decadesand always thought they made the best cars in the world (never knew the rest of the world existed). Now ford know australia make great products and they are thiking of killing it off! No wonder they’re in the toilet