Ford Shuts Another Manufacturing Facility

This comes close of the closure of Ford manufacturing plant in Japan and in Indonesia where the American company sees "no reasonable path to profitability". The end to manufacturing plant in Australia will be replicated by GM Holden and Toyota Australia in 2017.

The manufacturing industry in Australia is witnessing a slow death sparking debate over the future of the economy and the role of the government in maintaining the ailing sectors.

Dave Smith, national vehicle division secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union said, the Ford workers have "handled themselves with magnificent dignity" on their last day of work at the plant.

Close to 600 Ford workers are set to lose their jobs on Friday, all in the state of Victoria, which is Ford's Australian headquarter's operations are handled.

The employment sector of Australian manufacturing sector has dropped significantly from 13.4 percent in 2005 to 7.8 percent in 2015. This has not changed with customers opting for overseas-made small cars and sports utility.

The taste for big cars and locally made vehicles - Ford and Holden are known for - by the Australian customer in the recent times has not helped the manufacturers.

Ford Australia chief executive Graeme Whickman said while it was a difficult day for the company, it was an honour to see the last Falcon XR6 manufactured in the Australian plant.

He went on to say that those last cars are not saleable will be put on show in museums and other such places in the country where Australians can come and see and enjoy.