Lexi Webster
Ford Motor Company of Australia, founded in 1925, has had a long history in Australia. The company has designed, engineered, and imported award-winning and best-selling cars, SUVs, and trucks, with a focus on providing services, experiences, and software that will continue to power the freedom of movement for Australians. Ford Australia started by assembling Model Ts and has since expanded its operations to include various models such as the Falcon, which was produced from 1960 to 2016 and became embedded in Australian culture. However, in 2016, Ford Australia ceased its local manufacturing operations, marking the end of an era for the company in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding | 1925 |
| Founder | Henry Ford |
| Headquarters | Geelong, Victoria |
| First Products | Model T cars assembled from complete knock-down (CKD) kits provided by Ford of Canada |
| End of Production in Australia | 2016 |
| Number of Years in Operation in Australia | 88-90 years |
| Number of Workers Retained in Australia after End of Production | 1300 |
| Current Role | Designs, engineers, and imports cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans |
| Number of Employees | 1500 |
| Number of Locations | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
Ford Australia's history
Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Limited, known by its trading name Ford Australia, is the Australian subsidiary of the United States-based automaker Ford Motor Company. Ford Australia was founded in 1925 as an Australian outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada.
The first Ford car arrived in Australia in 1904, just a year after the formation of the Ford Motor Company. However, the local story of Ford began in October 1909 when R.J. Durance and his wife, Ivy, came from Canada to Port Melbourne to open an Australian branch. They brought fully assembled Fords and demonstrated them to the towns of the Australian bush.
Ford Australia's first products were Model T cars assembled from complete knock-down (CKD) kits provided by Ford of Canada. The first Australian-built Ford was a Model T launched on 1 July 1925 in a disused Geelong wool storage warehouse while construction was in progress of a factory several miles away, in an area later renamed Norlane. The first Model T was introduced in the United States in 1908, and Tarrant Motor and Engineering Co in Melbourne signed up to be the first of many agents selling the car in Australia the next year. During the construction of the Geelong plant, Holden's Motor Body Builders Ltd (now known as Holden) assembled and supplied vehicle bodies for Ford Australia.
In 1928, the factory switched to the Model A, which was followed in 1932 by the Ford V8. In 1934, the company released a coupé utility based on the US Model A Ford "Closed Cab Pickup Truck". During World War II, Ford Australia ceased producing cars and converted its production facilities to support the war effort. After the war, Ford recommenced assembly of imported Ford models, including the UK-sourced Pilot and a range of British cars, including the Prefect, Anglia, Consul, Zephyr, and Zodiac. Ford also assembled the Canadian Ford V8.
In 1956, Ford Australia purchased 162 hectares in Broadmeadows, and the original Geelong factory became an engine plant. The Falcon, originally a US model, was introduced in Australia in 1960 and adapted to Australian requirements and road conditions. From 1972 to 2016, Ford Falcons were fully Australian-designed. The company also produced the Territory SUV, which ended production in 2016.
In 1993, the Falcon was the top-selling vehicle in Australia, and Ford was the number one passenger car seller. However, in 1994, Ford's Homebush factory in New South Wales closed, and production of the locally made Ford Capri ceased. In 2002, the Ford Laser was replaced by the Ford Focus. In 2007, Ford announced it would close the Geelong engine plant in 2010, but those plans were later cancelled with a $21 million upgrade to the plant.
In 2016, Ford Australia announced it would close its Australian manufacturing plants, ending its 88-year history of car manufacturing in the country. Since then, Ford Australia has fully imported cars and trucks for the Asia/Pacific region and has been designated as one of Ford's five full-service Regional Product Development Centres for the Asia Pacific and African regions. Ford Australia continues to be a key product development hub for Ford, with a local design and engineering team leading the development of vehicles sold in approximately 180 markets globally.
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Ford's Geelong factory
Ford Motor Company of Australia, a subsidiary of the United States-based Ford Motor Company, was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925. The Geelong factory has played a significant role in the history of Ford in Australia, with the first Australian-assembled Model T rolling off the production line in the same year.
The Geelong plant was established in a rented wool-store on the edge of the city centre, with construction beginning on a larger factory several miles away in an area later renamed Norlane. During the construction of the main factory, the Geelong plant operated out of the wool store, with the first Australian-built Ford Model T being launched on 1 July 1925.
Over the years, the Geelong factory produced various Ford models, including the Falcon, which was produced from 1960 to 2016 and was at one point the top-selling vehicle in Australia. In addition to car manufacturing, the Geelong plant also contributed to the war effort during World War II, ceasing car production to focus on military production.
In later years, Ford Australia faced financial struggles, with losses amounting to millions of dollars. In 2016, Ford announced the closure of its Australian manufacturing plants, including the Geelong factory, bringing an end to 90 years of manufacturing in the country. The final Falcon ute rolled off the Geelong production line in July 2016, marking the end of an era. Despite the closure of the Geelong factory, Ford Australia continues to have a presence in the country, focusing on product development and vehicle testing.
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Ford Falcons
Ford Motor Company of Australia, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925. The company has designed, engineered, and imported best-selling cars, SUVs, and trucks. Ford Australia is a key product development hub for Ford, with a local team leading the development of vehicles sold in approximately 180 markets globally.
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by Ford Australia from 1960 to 2016. The Falcon marque began to realise its potential when, in 1964, Ford introduced the Mustang, another sporty compact car. The success of the Volkswagen and other compacts, along with the Arab oil embargo, proved how forward-thinking the original Falcon designers were. The Falcon family of vehicles included everything from sedans to vans to innovative small trucks. The Falcon truck, called the Ranchero, began its life in 1957 as part of the Fairlane lineup. In 1960, the design was drastically restyled to align with the Falcon design family.
In 1993, the Falcon was the top-selling vehicle in Australia. However, in 2013, Ford Australia announced the end of local production of the Falcon and its Territory crossover SUV by October 2016. The final Ford Falcon, a blue XR6, rolled off the production line on 7 October 2016, ending Ford's 88-year history in Australia.
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Ford's manufacturing plants
Ford Motor Company of Australia, also known as Ford Australia, was founded in 1925 as an Australian outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada. It is a subsidiary of the United States-based automaker Ford Motor Company.
Ford Australia's headquarters were established in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925. In 1926, the company set up an assembly plant in the Largs Bay industrial area, near Port Adelaide, which closed in 1965.
Ford Australia's manufacturing plants played a significant role in the country's automotive industry for decades. During World War II, Ford Australia halted car production and converted its facilities to support the war effort. After the war, the company resumed assembly operations, initially producing the UK-sourced Pilot and a range of British cars, including the Prefect, Anglia, Consul, Zephyr, and Zodiac.
Over the years, Ford Australia designed, engineered, and imported award-winning and best-selling vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and trucks. The Ford Laser, for instance, was produced at the Flemington plant in Sydney from 1981 until the plant's closure in 1994. The Laser was later replaced by the Ford Focus in 2002.
Ford Australia also had a significant presence in Broadmeadows (Campbellfield) and Geelong, with engine and panel stamping plants. However, in 2016, Ford announced the closure of these manufacturing plants, ending its long history of vehicle production in Australia. The last Australian-built Ford rolled off the production line that year, impacting hundreds of jobs.
Despite ceasing local manufacturing, Ford Australia continues to operate in the country, importing and distributing vehicles for the Asia/Pacific region. The company remains a key product development hub for Ford, with a passionate team of engineers, designers, and specialists working across Victoria.
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Ford's future in Australia
Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Limited, also known as Ford Australia, is a subsidiary of the United States-based Ford Motor Company. Founded in 1925, Ford Australia has had a long history in the country, spanning over 90 years. However, in 2016, Ford ceased its local manufacturing operations, marking the end of an era for the company in Australia.
Ford Australia's journey began in 1925 when it started assembling Model T cars in the country. Over the years, Ford introduced new models, including the Falcon, which became a significant part of the company's identity in Australia. The Falcon was adapted to meet Australian requirements and road conditions, and it was the top-selling vehicle in the country in 1993.
In addition to the Falcon, Ford Australia also introduced other models such as the Territory SUV, which was Australia's first homegrown SUV. Ford's manufacturing plants were located in Geelong and Broadmeadows, and the company played a significant role in the country's automotive industry, employing thousands of workers.
However, in 2013, Ford Australia announced that it would be ending its local manufacturing operations, and the last Australian-made Ford car rolled off the assembly line in 2016. This decision was made due to financial losses and the increasing challenges faced by the automotive industry in Australia. The closure of Ford's manufacturing plants resulted in job losses and had a significant impact on the wider manufacturing sector.
Despite the end of local manufacturing, Ford Australia continues to have a presence in the country. The company has transitioned towards innovation and design, focusing on providing services, experiences, and software to power the freedom of movement for Australians. Ford Australia is also engaged in partnerships and sponsorships, such as with the Geelong Football Club and Basketball Australia. Additionally, Ford remains committed to the Asia-Pacific and African regions, with Australia serving as a key product development hub.
Looking forward, Ford Australia aims to build on its legacy and strive for a better world for future generations. The company plans to leverage its talented team of engineers, designers, and specialists to continue developing award-winning and best-selling vehicles for global markets. Ford's future in Australia is focused on innovation and design, and creating a world with fewer obstacles and more freedom for its customers.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Limited is a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925.
Ford Australia has designed and engineered several cars, SUVs, and trucks, including the Ford Falcon, Ford Territory, Ford Laser, Ford Focus, and Ford Fiesta.
Ford Motor Company of Australia was incorporated in 1925, and it started manufacturing Model T cars and Fordson tractors in Geelong, Victoria.
No, Ford Australia announced the end of local manufacturing in 2013, and the last Ford car to be made in Australia rolled off the assembly line in 2016.
