VIC:Ford to cut 240 jobs, Toyota scales back

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2011
VIC:Ford to cut 240 jobs, Toyota scales back

MELBOURNE, April 14 AAP - Car giant Ford is to cut its workforce in Victoria by 240
after a slump in demand for larger cars, and competitor Toyota will reduce hours for manufacturing
staff in the wake of the Japanese earthquake disaster.

Workers at Ford's Geelong and Broadmeadows plants were told by management on Thursday
they would be redeployed "wherever possible" but voluntary redundancy packages would be
offered where alternative roles are not an option.

Ford Australia chief executive Bob Graziano said production would be cut from 260 to
209 cars per day from July ahead of new Australian-made models being launched over coming
months, including a new Territory, Falcon EcoLPI and Falcon EcoBoost.

The job losses are set to take effect from mid-July this year.

A Ford Australia spokeswoman said new opportunities were more likely for Geelong workers
where several operations were based.

At Toyota, effects of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan mean manufacturing
workers at its Altona plant will work a half-day shift from May 9.

Staff will be paid 75 per cent of their normal wages as the factory operates on a reduced
schedule of 50 per cent, while a similar outlook is expected in June.

The announcement will affect 3300 staff who produce the Camry, Hybrid Camry and Orion
models in Melbourne's west.

Toyota's manufacturing director Chris Harrod said the response was necessary to address
short-term supply issues caused by the disaster.

"We intend to resume 100 per cent vehicle production as quickly as possible," Mr Harrod said.

The company has promised to minimise delivery delays.

AAP ees/mn/dep

KEYWORD: CARS

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