Ford says there are no guarantees the company will keep making cars in Australia until 2016. Source: AAP
FORD is rolling new car models into Australia earlier than expected, but says it might shut down local manufacturing earlier than initially planned.
Ford announced in 2013 that car making at its Broadmeadows and Geelong plants would close in October, 2016.
But the company has since cut 300 workers, citing a downturn in sales.
Ford Australia boss Bob Graziano said on Thursday the sales trend meant local production was not a certainty in the next two-and-a-half years.
However, that didn't mean Ford would close dealerships and stop selling cars.
"We'll continue to match our production with demand," he told reporters while visiting a Ford dealership in Melbourne.
"If you are looking for a guarantee, there are no guarantees. It is our intent to work to (October 2016)."
Since announcing its production closures, Ford says it has moved 20 out of more than 1000 manufacturing workers into new jobs in the company.
About 20 marketing professionals will also be hired to support Ford's plans for promoting local sales.
The company says it expects to be Australia's largest auto employer by 2018, including employing about 1500 skilled employees across fields such as engineering and design.
Nine Australian auto suppliers have found new business in Ford's global operations, too.
Mr Graziano stressed that the company was committed to launching its refreshed Falcon and Territory models later in 2014.
The Mustang will also be rolled into dealerships by 2015, a year earlier than expected, and the Mondeo will also make its Australian debut.
Mr Graziano said the new Mustang should attract its own drivers and not overlap with Falcon enthusiasts.
"It's a car, quite honestly, that I've had people ask me about since I arrived here three years ago," he said.
Victorian Manufacturing Minister David Hodgett said he was confident Ford would give its "best efforts" to stick with its manufacturing shutdown dates.
"Ford still expects to be Australia's largest automotive employer, which is great news for the Victorian economy," he said.
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