Research and development at the Ford plant in Broadmeadows will be a “major factor of Australia’s post-2016 footprint”, according to a company spokeswoman.
She made the comment on the eve of a fact-finding tour of Ford and Toyota by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, who had visited GM Holden the week before.
Mr Macfarlane said he wanted to see Ford continue to operate in Australia in the long term.
The federal government has instigated an urgent Productivity Commission review. “The final report will be released next year, but I hope to see a draft by Christmas,” the minister said.
Ford Australia has announced it will close local vehicle production at Broadmeadows and Geelong by the end of 2016.
But Mr Macfarlane indicated he wanted to convince Ford to change its mind on its car-making future in Australia, expressing his wish to see Australian vehicle manufacturing continue for the next 100 years.
