Ford "accelerates" transformation of Australian operations

On the new car front, Ford says the Focus, Ranger and Fiesta are already making up about 80 percent of their sales mix so far in 2014. This is not good news for the Falcon, and may bring about an earlier end to the iconic nameplate, as well as an earlier than scheduled closure of manufacturing operations, as some pundits have suggested.

"Ford is absolutely committed to serving our customers with world-class vehicles with advanced technologies and innovative features," said Bob Graziano, President and CEO, Ford of Australia. "We plan to continue this momentum by refreshing our entire lineup by 2017, including the launches of the new Focus, Mondeo, Falcon, Mustang, Transit and Everest by next year."

New Salaried Positions
To support the new product launches, expanded range and growth plans, Ford will hire approximately 20 marketing and sales professionals. In February, the company also began recruiting university graduates for full-time positions expected to begin in 2015, as part of what they call a "complete product development enterprise" to be in place by 2017.

"As the industry transitions, we expect to become the country's largest auto employer by 2018 - something we take great pride in considering this will include about 1,500 highly skilled employees across professions such as engineering and design," said Graziano.

Manufacturing Employees
For those manufacturing staff facing redundancy, Ford says that "separation" packages are competitive, and will include career and financial planning resources. Ford has also contributed $10 million towards the government Innovation and Investment Funds for the Victorian Governments' Geelong Region and Melbourne's North Innovation and Investment Funds with the first round of projects to be announced soon.

"Helping employees transition to the next phases of their careers and lives is a critical priority for Ford," said Graziano.

The company already has helped 20 employees move into roles in the company not impacted by the manufacturing transition or new jobs outside the company. Plans are being finalized for a number of additional employees to transition to new roles.

Ford also is working with Automotive Skills Australia - a training organisation funded by the Federal Government - to prepare employees for new opportunities. The company will build on this initiative by hosting jobs' fairs at our facilities in Geelong in March and Broadmeadows in April for those seeking to move to new careers.

Suppliers
Ford continues to support a more orderly industry transition, including introducing suppliers to new business opportunities within the company's global operations. The "match-making" strategy already has led to nine Australian companies earning business with Ford's regional and global product operations.

"We have seen firsthand for many years the dedication and innovation of Australia's auto suppliers," said Graziano. "We are pleased to work with them to expand their expertise on a global scale."

Ford seeks to identify even more of these opportunities by hosting a Ford Suppler Trade Fair at The Pier in Geelong March 12-13.

Dealers
Ford is promoting a healthier, more profitable and more viable dealer network by expanding their lineup of vehicles, focusing on what "customers want and value". Amongst the first of these was the EcoSport, launched in December 2013, followed by the Transit Custom in February. The two-tonne van version of the transit will follow later this year.

Ford say they're on track to launch the refreshed Falcon and Territory later this year, while the new Mondeo, Focus and Mustang will launch in 2015.