Photo: Ford Australia
Earlier today, Ford Australia has stopped production of the Falcon full-size sedan and Territory mid-size crossover. The last cars built in Australia at Broadmeadows Assembly are painted blue and silver, respectively, and for what it’s worth, they mark the wind-up of 91 years of manufacturing for the Blue Oval in The Oz.
Even though manufacturing is over, Ford Australia won’t disappear per se. Instead of giving up the ghost, Broadmeadows will be the place where the automaker will open its Asia Pacific Product Development Center. In the company’s words, “We'll continue to remain in Australia for the long haul.”
By that, Ford Australia means that the design, engineering, dealership, and servicing arms will continue operations. With no direct replacement in sight for the Falcon FG X, the Mondeo and Mustang will have to suffice. In the Territory’s case, the pickup truck-based Everest is an indirect replacement, at least until the Edge mid-size crossover arrives in Australia sometime in 2018.
If, however, you’re not enticed by the Mondeo, Mustang, and Edge, Ford Australia offers you the chance to own one of the last four vehicles made by the Blue Oval in The Land Down Under. The silver-painted Territory and blue-painted Falcon XR6 will be joined by the final Ute (XR6 Turbo finished in Smoke and equipped with a 6-speed manual) and the final Falcon XR6 Turbo Sprint (finished in Winter White and matched with an automatic transmission). Registrations for the auction can be made on Ford’s website.
As Broadmeadows and Geelong shut down, 600 manufacturing workers have lost their jobs. Both manufacturing sites are slated for sale after the decommissioning process comes to a closure, but Ford Australia hasn’t commented on their future use. October 7, 2016, will be remembered as a sad day for Australia and Ford alike, but life moves on and us, the people, should make the best of it, with or without locally produced Ford vehicles.
By that, Ford Australia means that the design, engineering, dealership, and servicing arms will continue operations. With no direct replacement in sight for the Falcon FG X, the Mondeo and Mustang will have to suffice. In the Territory’s case, the pickup truck-based Everest is an indirect replacement, at least until the Edge mid-size crossover arrives in Australia sometime in 2018.
If, however, you’re not enticed by the Mondeo, Mustang, and Edge, Ford Australia offers you the chance to own one of the last four vehicles made by the Blue Oval in The Land Down Under. The silver-painted Territory and blue-painted Falcon XR6 will be joined by the final Ute (XR6 Turbo finished in Smoke and equipped with a 6-speed manual) and the final Falcon XR6 Turbo Sprint (finished in Winter White and matched with an automatic transmission). Registrations for the auction can be made on Ford’s website.
As Broadmeadows and Geelong shut down, 600 manufacturing workers have lost their jobs. Both manufacturing sites are slated for sale after the decommissioning process comes to a closure, but Ford Australia hasn’t commented on their future use. October 7, 2016, will be remembered as a sad day for Australia and Ford alike, but life moves on and us, the people, should make the best of it, with or without locally produced Ford vehicles.
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