Fords $AU100 Million Dollar Government Gift Equates to 400 LOST JOBS

In January this year we wrote – The Cost of Keeping Auto Makers Local – as sales of Australian made large cars – GM Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon – dramatically dropped the auto makers stood in line for serious government financial assistance. GM’s Commodore 15-year run as Australia’s best-selling vehicle was ended abruptly in 2011 by the Japanese manufactured Mazda3, while Ford Falcon sales plummeted to fewer than 19,000 units in 2011.

In May we questioned the validety of Australian Government subsidies granted to the nations 2 big auto makers – General Motors & Ford – The Cost of Keeping General Motors ‘Holden’ Local, And asking the question: So Exactly How Much Does it Cost to Keep Auto Makers in Australia? At the time, the Australian Government answered the question by handing General Motors Holden more than $AU275 Million to help keep auto manufacturing in Australia.

Ford Australia in the last few days has shockingly announced the loss of 440 jobs in it’s Victorian plants.

In the case of Ford, the Australian Government granted the company $AU103 million in subsidies with the promise of  plant – Geelong – upgrades and the longevity of Fords large sedan the Ford Falcon. Right about now the Federal Government, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard must be wondering if they’d simply thrown good money after bad, with Ford announcing that it will shed 440 jobs?  :: Read the rest of this entry »