Following the failure of a voluntary redundancy programme at its Victorian manufacturing plants, Ford will now force 250 workers out of their jobs, reported Drive.com.au.
The company, which is phasing out local manufacture, first announced job cuts at the plants in February with workers leaving between June and December. Since only 50 workers opted for a voluntary redundancy package, 250 more will be ordered to leave.
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Demand for Ford’s locally-manufactured Falcon vehicles has been falling steadily since May 2013 when it first made public the plan to shut its car making facilities in Australia by October 2016. The job cuts have been announced to match production to the falling demand.
In November, Ford will release its final Australian Falcon and Territory [SUV] modes. Following the launch, it expects sales to rise so there should be no need for further dismissals until production ends.
Ford, which already sources many models from overseas plants, mainly in Thailand, will sell only imported cars in Australia after manufacturing ends.
Its global design and engineering centre will continue R&D activities in Australia, employing 1,100.
