Ford announce extension to Geelong plant beyond 2010

[A-TEK]

just reported on ch7 news:

Ford announce extension to Geelong plant beyond 2010?

not much else was said :

[King Nothing]

Very interesting news....

Anyone got any lins? I'm trying to find some now.

[King Nothing]

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/...2581_news.html

BREAKING NEWS FORD Australia has flagged a major announcement this morning at its Geelong manufacturing plant.

Click here for our breaking news feed and live blog.

Speculation from within Ford suggests the Geelong engine plant will continue operations until at least 2013. It presently manufactures the straight six motor for the Ford Territory.

Ford sources also suggest the Geelong stamping plant will manufactures opanels for new Focus and Fiesta models as well as other panels including a new bonnet for a updated Territory to be marketed by Ford.

Ford Australia President Marin Burela, Victorian Premier John Brumby, and the Federal Industry Minister Senator Kim Carr will all be on hand for what is expected to be good news for the car giant's Geelong operations.

There have been suggestions that the global financial crisis could signal a change of direction for Ford, while Prime Minister Kevin Rudd earlier this month announced a $6.2 billion rescue package for the local car industry

Brumby and Carr wouldn't be there if it was a bad announcement. They are there for photo opps for good news.

[Polyal]

Nice, now lets see what GMH have to say over the next few weeks.

[SumoDog68]

Speculation from within Ford suggests the Geelong engine plant will continue operations until at least 2013. It presently manufactures the straight six motor for the Ford Territory.

That is how much they know.Who makes straight six for Falcon?

[King Nothing]

From the live blog, geelong advertiser reporter speaking

Jess:
We've heard from a reputable source moments ago that the Premier will announce the Geelong engine plant will remain open.

Jess: One source said the latest gas-powered six cylinder engine had been developed to the extent that its power would equal that of the unleaded engine.

[King Nothing]

THE I6 IS GOING EURO IV!!!

BREAKING NEWS FORD Australia will upgrade its Geelong engine plant to Euro4 emission standard, safeguarding the plant's operations until at least 2013.

Click here for our breaking news feed and live blog.

Ford management has told Geelong staff this morning the plant ugrade will raise its straight-six engine emission standards to world level.

It is expected to safeguard the manufacture of Falcon and Territory models for the foreseeable future.

The announcement to staff was made ahead of a formal press cnference about to get under way at the North Geelong plant.

Ford Australia President Marin Burela, Victorian Premier John Brumby, and the Federal Industry Minister Senator Kim Carr will all be on hand for the conference.

There have been suggestions that the global financial crisis could signal a change of direction for Ford, while Prime Minister Kevin Rudd earlier this month announced a $6.2 billion rescue package for the local car industry.

[Cobra]

That is brilliant news!

[4Vman]

Great news for Ford and Local manufacturing.
I suspect though this is largely governed by the position of our $dollar V $USD.. and is vulnerable to a change in position/direction again before 2010..
I wonder what effect Euro 4 will have on the I6 and its design/performance?

[King Nothing]

Maybe all alloy block? A decent LPG system looks certain.

[Cobra]

Surely they would need direct injection? So, how is this change of direction going to be compatible with less than 2 years until Euro 4 is Mandatory, and no development yet to make it euro 4, and all of the engine development engineers having moved on for obvious reasons?

[ST]

Wow, that is awesome news! Long live the i6.

Maybe we will still see a 500hp i6 Typhoon!

[Rob]

Long live the I6!!!

[lostdude]

awesome...... the I6 Lives On : : :

[RG]

WOOOOHOOOOOO

There's no V6 for Falcon, No V6 for Falcon :

Great to see Ford keeping the I6 and I'm sure all those at the Geelong plant will be partying and having a great day and a big night. : : :

[King Nothing]

11:51 Jess: Marin Burela has taken the stage


11:52 Jess: He is welcoming the other politicians and community leaders

11:53 Jess: He said today is a very important day for the people of Geelong and the motor company.

He said today is a good news story instead of bad news, which is usually the case for the automotive industry.

[King Nothing]

11:55 Jess:
He said today was about being globally competitive as well as environmentally responsible.

[Rob]

LOL someone commented "Long live the I6/4.0L" on Geelong advertiser just after I did

[King Nothing]

11:55 Geelong Advertiser: Federal Government has just issued a press release claiming this announcement will save 1300 jobs - 400 at Ford and 900 in associated industries.

11:56 Jess:
He said he is committed to keeping Ford in Geelong and keeping Ford in Australia.

[King Nothing]

11:56 Jess: He said his committment goes further than machines and tools but is about being focused and responsible in terms of Ford's role in the community.

11:57 Jess: He is now talking about Ford's community role with Geelong.

11:57 Geelong Advertiser: FORD'S GEELONG ENGINE PLANT TO STAY OPEN


Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research,
welcomes today's announcement that Ford will continue operating its Geelong
engine plant.



"This announcement saves 1,300 jobs – 400 at Ford and up to 900 among its
suppliers. It is great news for the workers involved, for the Geelong community and
for Australia's automotive industry.

[Cobra]

Wow... A local Geelong boy takes charge or Ford Australia and within a couple of months we get our I6 back. Coincidence? I think so yes... but, none the less it's still a good one. I'm sure Marin Burela fought hard to get our I6 back and had a bit of luck going his way.

[King Nothing]

11:57 Geelong Advertiser: "Ford workers and their families will be rejoicing today, and the Federal Government
would like to congratulate Ford on making an optimistic and forward-looking
investment decision.



"Ford will continue to play an important role in the Geelong region and in Victoria's
manufacturing future.





11:57 Geelong Advertiser: "$21 million will be invested in plant and equipment and further investment will go
towards engineering the inline-6 engine to meet the stringent Euro IV environmental
standard.



"This is also good news for parts makers. The inline-6 is a unique Australian engine
that uses components from suppliers in Geelong and across the country.




11:58 Jess:
He said that despite the significant issues the automotive industry is facing, it is important for companies like Ford to find a way to go forward.


11:58 Geelong Advertiser: "All three Australian-based motor vehicle producers will now be making engines to
meet the new Euro IV standards when they are introduced into Australia in 2010

"The Ford news reinforces the Federal Government's optimism about the future of
the automotive industry, after last week's launch of the Government's $6.2 billion
New Car Plan for a Greener Future.

"The plan gives the industry confidence to invest for the long term, and to make the
kinds of decisions Ford has announced today.



11:58 Geelong Advertiser: "The new car plan is about creating high-wage, high-skilled jobs. The plan will help
this cornerstone industry weather the current economic storm and emerge stronger,
more innovative and greener," Senator Carr said.

[XR4568]

I like the bloke already...

[King Nothing]

11:58 Jess: ''Our role and our focus over the last months have been to look for ways to make our business viable,'' he said.


11:59 Jess: Mr Burela said it wasn't long ago that he spoke to the community about closure plans but they are not closing the Geelong engine plant. They will invest $21m to build the engine into the future.

12:00 Jess: He said Ford has special people and a great engine.

[Mondie]

Well thats a welcome suprise, long live the I6 :

[King Nothing]

Full story

Ford Geelong engine plant wins a lifeline (+ live blog)


November 20th, 2008


Ford's Geelong plant
Share this article
Digg this Post to del.icio.us Post to Stumble Upon Post to Facebook

online pollShould courts be televised
BREAKING NEWS FORD will continue operating its Geelong engine plant, saving 1300 jobs – 400 at Ford and up to 900 among its suppliers.

Click here for our breaking news feed and live blog.

"$21 million will be invested in plant and equipment and further investment will go towards engineering the inline-6 engine to meet the stringent Euro IV environmental standard,'' Federal Industry Minister Senator Kim Carr saiod this morning.

The inline-6 is a unique Australian engine that uses components from suppliers in Geelong and across the country.

All three Australian-based motor vehicle producers will now be making engines to meet the new Euro IV standards when they are introduced into Australia in 2010,'' Senator Carr said.




Ford will invest the $21 million continued use post-2010, as well as invest in considerable engineering development of the I6 engine to ensure compliance with stringent Euro IV emissions standards.

This adds to the $200 million that the company has previously invested in facilities and product development in Geelong since 2006 and will supplement the company's ongoing Geelong-based stamping, R&D and Proving Ground facilities, the company said in a statement just issued.

"This decision is good news, not only for our employees in Geelong, our suppliers and the surrounding community, but also for the many fans of our I6 engine, which will now be re-engineered to achieve Euro IV emissions standards," said Ford Australia president and CEO Marin Burela.

Ford said that in addition to direct employment benefits for the Geelong region, retaining the engine plant was expected to provide an on-flow of business to local service providers. Australian component suppliers would also benefit due to the continued requirement for a number of engine components, including intake manifolds, engine pistons, gaskets and bearings.

"This is the first step in a broad product investment strategy to reduce emissions and deliver improved fuel economy across our locally built vehicle line-up, including Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory."

Ford said it believed the Federal Government's new Green Car Innovation Fund provided a framework for the company to investigate an additional range of environmentally-oriented product investment initiatives which, when combined with emissions improvements to the popular I6 engine, wouldl increase future competitiveness.

"Our I6 engine continues to receive rave reviews for its performance, fuel economy and quietness. Keeping this engine in our product line-up will allow us to maintain our competitive edge and provide a distinct advantage over our direct competition," said Mr Burela.

"When added to our other proposed future product actions, we will offer consumers a range of choices that will allow them to continue enjoying all the benefits of Australia’s only locally manufactured vehicle to achieve a 5-star safety rating, along with continued fuel economy improvements and reduced emissions."

[Gadgetman]

Our engine plant will NOT CLOSE in 2010. It will remain open and continue producing our iconic and popular I6 engine. Importantly, the I6 engine will now be engineered for Euro 4 compatibility.



At 11am this morning, I was joined by Premier John Brumby, our Federal Minister for Industry, Senator Kim Carr, and Ian Jones and Dave Oliver from our Unions, to announce this decision to our powertrain employees.



There will also be a media conference today with our Government and Union guests, to announce the decision publicly, so you can expect to see coverage of the announcement in the media throughout the day and in the days ahead.



This decision is a major change in direction for Ford Australia. In order to implement it, we will invest $21 million in plant and equipment in the engine plant for continued use post-2010. We will also invest in considerable engineering development of the I6 engine to ensure compliance with the stringent Euro 4 tailpipe emissions standards.



This adds to the $200 million we have previously invested in facilities and product development in Geelong since 2006 and will supplement our ongoing Geelong-based stamping, R&D and Proving Ground facilities.



I hope you'll agree that this decision is great news for our manufacturing and product development teams, particularly those based in Geelong, as it is you who will both engineer and produce the Euro 4 compatible I6 engine.



It is also great news for a number of Australian component suppliers who will be called upon to continue providing parts such as intake manifolds, engine hardware, gaskets and bearings.



It is great news for the city of Geelong, which will receive direct employment benefits and will also benefit from an on-flow of business to local service providers.



Finally, it is great news for the multitude of fans of our I6 engine, which continues to receive rave reviews for its performance, fuel economy and quietness. Keeping this engine in our line-up will allow us to maintain a competitive edge and provide a point of difference over our direct competition.



Today's announcement is about investment. It is about securing jobs in Australia, particularly in Geelong, and it is also about taking the first step towards enhancing the environmental sustainability of our business.



Now, I have no doubt that some of you may ask what has changed from July 2007 when we announced a different strategy.



Since that time we have continued to evaluate our business. We have continued to monitor consumer trends. We have continued to search for new engineering innovations that bring efficiency and increase our technology capabilities.



And we have done all that with definite goals in mind – to increase our scope of operations, to become more relevant to Australian consumers and, perhaps most importantly of all, to find ways to best utilise the investment, facilities and intellectual capital resources we have at Ford Australia.



With those goals firmly in mind, our engineering and manufacturing teams have worked hard to apply new technology and engineering expertise to create a solution that would result in the development of a competitive, environmentally-responsible and investment-efficient engine.



Today's announcement is the outcome of that work. It is the outcome of new technology that allows us to engineer our I6 engine for Euro 4 more efficiently and affordably than was possible before.



It is also just the first step in a broader investment strategy to reduce emissions and deliver improved fuel economy across our locally built line-up, including Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory.



We are currently investigating an additional range of environmentally-oriented product investment initiatives which, when combined with emissions improvements to the popular petrol I6 engine, will increase our future competitiveness.



Together, they will also provide Australian consumers with a range of choices that will allow them to continue enjoying all the benefits of Australia's only 5-star safety vehicle along with improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.

[Cobra]

So I wonder whether we will keep the ZF tranmission as well? Their contract is up very soon, but now since we're going to have the I6 for the forseeable future, it would be a shame, and possibly silly to have to lose the ZF and engineer a different (and possibly inferior) transmission to fit behind the I6.

[tapeworm]

This thing would be so sweet with direct injection Woot!

[GS608]

**** Yeah

Long Live The I6