Ford Broadmeadows Celebrates 50 Years

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – September 8, 2009: Past and present employees recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Ford Australia's Broadmeadows Assembly Plant.

As part of the celebrations Ford held a week long celebration which culminated in a lunchtime sausage sizzle and display of historical photos and vehicles built over the last five decades. The 10 longest-serving Ford employees in Australia were on hand to cut an enormous birthday cake surrounded by their peers, family, friends and various Ford car clubs.

When the Broadmeadows Assembly Plant opened in August 1959, it was the largest post World War II manufacturing facility in Victoria. Today, as the plant celebrates its 50th anniversary, it remains at the heart of Ford Australia's operations.

Also known as the birthplace of the Falcon, the plant saw the first XK Falcon roll of its production line in June 1960, launching the longest continuous model line in Australian motoring history.

In its first year of operation, the facility assembled 45,022 vehicles. It was also one of the world's most diverse assembly operations, building 41 different models of vehicles including seven tractor models, six types of trucks and 18 passenger models ranging from the tiny anglia to the huge American Fairlane Ranch Wagon.

In 2009, the plant continues to produce some of Australia's most popular vehicles, including Falcon sedan, Falcon Ute and Territory. Ford recently announced an additional $230 million investment for the vehicles produced at Broadmeadows, which are xpected to increase their appeal and drive additional volume through the plant.

"The Broadmeadows plant has been a well loved icon in Australia's auto industry," said Ford Australia's president and CEO Marin Burela.

"Our exciting range of new engines to make Falcon and Territory cleaner and greener will improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, while continuing to deliver comparable levels of performance. These significant changes will attract new customers to the Ford brand, which will ensure the Broadmeadows plant remains a strong part of our future in Australia."