Investment in Australian education instrumental to Ford’s global R&D success

This brings the total to $2.2 billion invested over the past seven years.

A core element of Ford's engineering strategy is developing education, with the manufacturer having launched a tertiary research program in 2013.

These projects are now up and running in eight universities around the country, supporting some of the best young minds Australia has to offer.

Speaking with CarAdvice at the Go Further 2020 event, Ford Asia Pacific product development vice president Trevor Worthington said that this continuing investment would help "encourage young Australians to become the next wave of world-class automotive engineers".

To further groom the next generation of Australian automotive engineers, Ford has partnered with First Australia to help support secondary school science and robotics programs.

First Australia is an elective science and mathematics program that introduces students to practical robotics applications and offers scholarships and other support for those continuing education in the field.

Despite manufacturing drawing to a close in October 2016, Ford's local research and development teams are being expanded.

The blue oval drawing on enthusiastic homegrown talent to continue Australia's world-leading R&D provides an excellent option for students wanting careers in the automotive field.

The Ranger ute and new Everest SUV were both developed in Australia for global markets.