Ford Broadmeadows Celebrates 50 Years
Home >
News >
Ford
17th September, 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.
In a major milestone of Australian motoring, the plant saw the first XK series Ford Falcon roll
of its production line in June 1960, launching the longest continuous model name 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 small Anglia to the
large 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 expected 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."
| 
