GEELONG\u2019S former Ford factory could play a vital role in restarting Australia\u2019s car manufacturing industry with electric vehicles (EVs), according to the author of new research from The Australia Institute.<\/p>\n
The report, \u201cRebuilding Vehicle Manufacturing in Australia: Industrial Opportunities in an Electrified Future\u201d, states Australia is uniquely blessed with advantages to attract and retain EV manufacturing and rebuild the nation\u2019s car-making capacity, but this will not be met without major federal government intervention.<\/p>\n
Dr Mark Dean from The Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute, who authored the report, said it made sense for Australian EVs to be built at an existing but modified site such as the Ford plant in Norlane or the former Holden plant in Elizabeth, South Australia, where most of the capital equipment was left in place when it closed in 2017.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just that the major manufacturing machinery still sits in place at Elizabeth and Geelong, it\u2019s that these are former major manufacturing plants that influenced the development of local component suppliers, related services industries and even training and qualifications institutions \u2013 TAFE, for example, which has always been the primary provider of education to manufacturing workers in these regions,\u201d Dr Dean said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith public support for retooling, reinvestment in new technologies and reskilling local workers \u2013 within the space of two to three years, an all-EV manufacturing facility could emerge on the former Ford car making site.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key is that government support in the form of an active, interventionist federal industry policy is essential to capturing the value in these assets and putting it to active use.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said despite Ford\u2019s closure, Geelong\u2019s historic development was still there.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a major urban centre near to Melbourne\u2019s port, meaning it is in proximity to an export facility, as well as a rail line that connects Geelong to the docks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn recent years, government services have headquartered themselves there, meaning there is a great deal of knowledge being generated by its local industries, particularly around new digital technologies and advanced forms of manufacturing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are all strengths that would not exist without Geelong\u2019s automotive industry history, and therefore they can quickly rally around new investments in automaking, if government invests in the skills system and the city\u2019s infrastructure too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sales of plug-in EVs tripled over the past year, from 6,900 in 2020 to 20,665 in 2021, and Electric Vehicle Council chief executive officer Behyad Jafari said the boost in sales was being driven by positive policy change at a state level.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe desperately need the federal government to introduce Australian EV rebates alongside fuel efficiency standards, just like other developed nations. If we get these changes, you\u2019ll see sales figures really rocket ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a wealthy, car-loving, early-adapting nation, Australia should be an electric vehicle leader. If we were, we could restart a thriving manufacturing industry supporting thousands of quality jobs. But we need to build rapidly on this current momentum.\u201d<\/p>\n
Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said she and Labor would \u201calways fight for manufacturing\u201d in the Geelong region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no reason why we can\u2019t manufacture EV components here in the Geelong region. We have a proud record of car manufacturing on which to build.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn Albanese Labor Government will deliver the nation\u2019s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy. This will encourage Australian manufacturing of electric vehicle car components, especially batteries, and possibly cars themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GEELONG\u2019S former Ford factory could play a vital role in restarting Australia\u2019s car manufacturing industry with electric vehicles (EVs), according to the author of new research from The Australia Institute. The report, \u201cRebuilding Vehicle Manufacturing in Australia: Industrial Opportunities in an Electrified Future\u201d, states Australia is uniquely blessed with advantages to attract and retain EV […]<\/p>\n