Speculation is rife that Ford Australia is set to announce today the closure of its Broadmeadows and Geelong production plants.
The local car maker issued a statement at 9:15am today alerting the media to a press conference at 10:45am, in which Ford Australia president and CEO Bob Graziano will announce the company's 2012 financial results and "make an important business announcement".
Australia's major media outlets are reporting that the announcement will be confirmation of the embattled car maker's plans to wind down its local manufacturing operations as soon as 2016, spelling the end of production of the Falcon and Territory.
Acting Industry Minister Craig Emerson has just released a statement on the impending announcement:
"The Government is aware of reports that Ford is making a significant announcement about the future of its manufacturing operations.
"In these situations our top priority is ensuring workers and their families in regional communities are looked after.
"Workers need to be given every opportunity to find new jobs and regional economies and communities need to be assisted in securing new investment and employment opportunities.
"The Government will have more to say when Ford has made its announcement. But I can assure you making sure the company's workforce and regional communities are looked after will be our top priority."
Stay tuned for the latest news as it breaks.
