Future of Geelong Ford workers at stake

The future of 600 workers at Ford's Geelong engine plant will be high on the agenda today (July 12) in a meeting between Ford management and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.

The plant builds six-cylinder engines for the Ford Falcon.

But speculation Ford may axe engine production there and move to an imported V6 engine for the Falcon beyond 2010 has the company on the back foot.

The AMWU's vehicle division representative, Ian Jones, said any move to kill off engine production at Geelong would have a significant impact on the workers, the city and the region.

Mr Jones had heard the speculation "for some time," he said.

"Normally, before they make these decisions they have discussions with us."

In a bid to stem the fallout, Ford has moved to reassure its Geelong engine workers that their jobs are safe.

Company spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said the workers were aware of the speculation.

"We confirmed for them, as we have done previously, that we are studying a whole range of alternatives across our entire business," Ms McAlary said.

"If and when any decisions are made that may effect them in any way, we would communicate with them at an appropriate time."

But Ms McAlary would not confirm if the in-line six-cylinder engine production was on the chopping block.

"Everything is under study at the moment," she said.

"Just because we're studying something doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen."

Mr Jones said manufacturing the new V6 at Geelong would be preferred.

But given the Ford Motor Company's depressed financial situation in Detroit, it may not have the financial capacity to endorse and back V6 production here, he said.

Despite the Geelong concerns, Ford is expected to announce within weeks that it will add a third model to its Broadmeadows production line.

Ms McAlary confirmed the company was looking at ways to better use plant capacity to get it up to 100 per cent "but nothing has been decided."

Ford can build up to 120,000 vehicles a year at Broadmeadows but is currently building only 80,000 Falcons and Territorys.

The Herald Sun understands the company may opt to build "completely knocked down" kits of another Ford vehicle from overseas.

Mr Jones said the CKD option for Broadmeadows would be welcome news for the workforce, "but it doesn't help Geelong."