ALCOA’S Geelong workers might be gearing up for another 300 Christmas job losses but in the US the aluminium-maker’s F150 pick-up trucks with Ford began running of the production line this week.
Ford, which cut 300 jobs at Geelong and Broadmeadows this year and plans to axe another 500 in the next two years, hopes to bolster its fortunes with the new lightweight pick-up – the highest-selling vehicle in North America.
While the Australian fortunes of both multinationals are on the skids, presenting significant fallout for Geelong’s economy, their deal to make aluminium F-150s in the US has been hailed as ground-breaking.
At 300kg lighter than the normal steel-framed model, the new F-150 is tipped to propel sales because of its greatly enhanced fuel efficiency.
Ford unveiled the all-aluminium F-150 at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. Alcoa is spending $US575 million to expand production plants in Iowa and Tennessee to meet demand under long-term auto contracts with Ford.
Reports have also pointed to Alcoa competitor Novelis commissioning two new automotive sheet lines in New York and China.
But the aluminium company has told the Independent the new lightweight cars deal will have no ramifications for Australia.
Alcoa laid off 500 workers mid-year when its closed its Point Henry smelter. Another round of jobs cuts are expected before Christmas.
Alcoa has said aluminium use is now moving mass market vehicles, with the company’s Randall Scheps describing the latest move as “the tip of the iceberg”.
“We can certainly say that every year is going to be big for aluminium for the foreseeable future,” he said earlier this year.
