What was the last Australian made Ford?
The last Australian-made Ford was the Falcon FG X XR6 Sprint, produced on 7 October 2016 at Ford Australia’s Broadmeadows plant in Victoria. This moment marked the end of Ford’s local manufacturing after more than 90 years in Australia.
What makes this moment significant
Ford Australia announced the end of local manufacturing in 2016, ending a long era of Australian-built Falcons and Territorys. The FG X XR6 Sprint became the symbolic final car from a long-running local production line, with broader implications for Australian industry and manufacturing policy.
The final Falcon: key details
Below are the essential facts about the last Australian-made Ford to roll off the line.
- The final car was a Falcon FG X XR6 Sprint sedan.
- Produced on 7 October 2016 at Ford’s Broadmeadows Assembly Plant, Victoria.
- Part of Ford Australia’s Falcon lineup, a flagship locally built model for many decades.
- Symbolized the end of Ford’s vehicle manufacturing in Australia, with the company continuing to import vehicles rather than assemble them locally.
- Placed in a broader context of Ford’s global restructuring and shifts in manufacturing strategy during the mid-2010s.
The FG X XR6 Sprint’s production marked a transition point for Australian automotive manufacturing: from a long-standing local industry to a model-support and service ecosystem centered on imported vehicles and regional distribution.
Why Ford stopped manufacturing in Australia
Ford cited sustained economic pressures, high production costs, and a long-running global strategy that favored regional importation over local assembly. The decision reflected a broader industry trend in Australia, where several manufacturers closed local plants in the 2010s, shifting to import-only operations while maintaining regional design and engineering roles.
Broader context and impact
The end of local production affected workers, supply chains, and regional economies connected to the plants at Broadmeadows (Melbourne) and, earlier, in Geelong. While manufacturing ceased, Ford Australia continued to support the market through imported vehicles, parts, and after-sales service, and the company maintained engineering and design activities in the region for certain programs.
Summary
In summary, the last Australian-made Ford was the Falcon FG X XR6 Sprint, produced on 7 October 2016 at the Broadmeadows plant in Victoria. This event closed Ford’s Canadian-era-style local manufacturing in Australia and underscored a shift toward import-based operations, marking a defining transition for Australia’s automotive landscape.
