Ford Australia celebrates 50 years at Broadmeadows
September 8, 2009 by Matt Brogan
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.
Also known as the birthplace of the Falcon, the plant saw the first XK Falcon roll of its production line in June 1960, launching the longest continuous model line 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 tiny Anglia to the huge 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.”
Print it: 
Gee I cant wait for the 4 cylinder front wheel drive falcoon anniversary model
Good news Mike, they go into production in 2012, but they won’t be four cylinder, they will be a six that can shut down two or three cylinders. FWD will have a new torque control computer by the way.
@Mike & Carfanatic, Someone is a tad un-informed hey?
2011 Falcon 4cyl will be RWD with ~170-200kw & ~320-340Nm… Get your facts right (will show up the 3.0 SIDI Holden offerings).
If the Germans can make large 4cyl cars with excellent fuel economy & ample power, why can’t Ford?
Dan.
@ Dan, I was joking you idiot, just Google what I typed and you’ll find I was not serious. Mullally hinted at FWD or AWD for 2013 but hasn’t confirmed it, although Ford Australia Engineers have been to Germany to see how they do things so I would expect Mullally’s hint will be factual. I threw in the bit about the engine just to see how many people have a rant.
You almost took the bait.
Oh and one more thing Dan, 2011 is when the 2.7 Diesel arrives for the Territory, the 2.0 turbocharged four destined for the Falcon may not be until 2013.
it’s called humour
something often sadly lacking in ford fan boys
clearly no one said ford couldn’t do it
but does anyone actually want them too?
It’ll be a sad day for the good old falcon
even sadder if they wind up with a volvo platform under them like the mondeo
and i agree a 2011 falcon will be competitive with todays holden
Carfanatic, you have a wicked sense of humour! That joke was a classic!
LOL, I couldn’t help myself, Mike presented me with an opportunity and I took it.
careful the ford fan boys will stone us
Ford engineered a one off six speed manual Falcon for the occassion. To ensure it would be around for the 100th Anniversay, it was engineered to not have driveline shunt, was rustproofed properly (several Territory’s skipped the rust proofing to allow the Falcon through), had clearcoat in the enginebay ($20 extra value) and all engine parts were painted as a novelty. Finally the car will never be serviced by a Ford dealer, to ensure it runs reliably for many years to come.
A Ford spokesperson said they had no plans to release such a car to the public, as expectations for all future Falcons would be set too high.
I don’t get it??? On topic, good effort Ford, although could have put more effort into the cake, did everyone only get one cubic centimetre each?
According to one supposed “insider” on this site [who said he was going for a test drive of a falcon with the coyote V8 engine; but didn't comeback with anything] Geelong is the Home of the Falcon not Broadmeadows..
Tom. To spell it out. Ford have to ask themselves after the cake is eaten, if there aren’t some lessons to be learn’t from their past and their present, so they have a reason to expect to be celebrating 100 in Australia.
Things like raising quality, rebuilding the dealer network and developing a company culture that takes as much pride in building their future reputation and progress as they seem to take in looking repeatedly at their past.
The “good old days” of Ford are just that. Old.
Dan
Congratluations Ford Oz,been hearing since 1995 about front drive falcon,heard the same rumours back then.I’d like to meet the dude how was the first to say the Taurus was going to be a replacement for the falcon,wonder how his carrer is going.
Good article.
Wishing ford Australia the very best in upcoming years.