Ford Australia will be backed by the Rudd and Brumby governments to undertake a $20 million expansion at its Geelong casting plant, and boost its design and engineering capacity for its Ford Territory, creating 50 new jobs and securing jobs for 100 workers.
The Victorian Premier John Brumby, Commonwealth Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister, Senator Kim Carr and Victorian Industry and Trade Minister Jacinta Allan today joined Ford Australia to announce details of a $20 million project to modernise the Geelong casting plant to boost production, cut greenhouse emissions and save water.
The project involves a major upgrade to the Geelong casting plant that will enable Ford to manufacture one million brake rotor components each year under a new agreement with Bosch Chassis Systems. “Today’s announcement is great news for local jobs.”
Production of brake rotors will be in addition to the plant’s casting of engine blocks for the Ford Falcon and Ford Territory. It will also manufacture engine blocks for Ford’s new Euro 4 compliant I6 petrol engine which will be machined and assembled in the Ford Geelong engine plant.
“Today’s announcement is great news for local jobs, great news for the automotive industry and is about locking-in the future prosperity of Geelong for generations to come,” Mr Brumby said.
“Victoria is the engine room of Australia’s automotive industry – our sector is worth $15 billion and employees 35,000 – and the Victorian Government is committed to its long-term future.
“That’s why our Government is proud to support Ford in this new investment. It will increase the Geelong casting plant’s workforce by 50 per cent and deliver a significant boost to the automotive supply chain which relies on a productive, sustainable production here at the Geelong plant.
“The casting plant upgrade is great news for the environment too – it will save four million litres of drinking water each year with Ford to use recycled and storm water, increase the use of recycled metal and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2700 tonnes annually.”
The Victorian Government is providing significant support towards the Ford casting plant upgrade.
Senator Carr said the Rudd Government would separately provide $11.8 million for further design and engineering for the Euro IV Territory – available in petrol and diesel from 2011.
“Time and time again our automotive industry has shown its tremendous resilience in a period when the global industry is doing it extremely tough,” Senator Carr said.
“The plant upgrade will secure additional work that was going to move offshore, ensuring vital automotive manufacturing jobs and skills remain in Geelong.
“Government funding for the Territory engine technology will lead to increased volume at the plant.
“As a result, the plant will become a leading national facility using new technologies to increase energy efficiency and minimise waste.”
Senator Carr said the Rudd Government’s $6.2 billion New Car Plan was providing the industry with the certainty it needs to invest in the vehicle technologies of tomorrow.
“Certainty makes announcements like this upgrade possible,” he said.
“The Government will continue to work with Ford and the wider automotive industry to develop a modern, innovative sector supporting high-skill, high-wage jobs.”
Territory engine funding is from the Automotive Competitiveness and Investment Scheme.
Ms Allan said the Victorian Government was committed to retaining Victoria’s reputation as the hub of Australia’s automotive sector.
“The Brumby Labor Government will continue supporting jobs in Victoria’s automotive sector with the ongoing rollout of initiatives such as the Victorian Automotive Manufacturing Action Plan and the $50 million Industry Transition Fund,” she said.