Car Features

Ford Australia was established in 1925, expanding the Ford Motor Company’s global operations. A ‘History in the Making’ event was held in Melbourne in April 2025.

Although Ford Australia’s local manufacturing and assembly operations closed in October, 2016, the company still functions as a design and testing facility for Ford’s local and global products.

The Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Ltd was founded in Geelong, Victoria, on 1st April 1925, but the endeavour started in late 1923, when North American Ford executives visited Australia.

Two senior Ford executives were part of this six-person advanced party scouting Australian locations: Hubert Charles French and P W Grandjean, the then secretary of Ford of Canada. After their visit, Grandjean told Edsel Ford that, “The time is ripe to carry on a business in Australia with our own organisation”.

Grandjean believed the market deserved a cohesive Ford operation to serve the Australian public. Geelong won out because of its deep-water seaport, available land, access to nearby railways and good labour force.

When, in 1925, the Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Ltd opened in Geelong, Hubert French was the founding managing director. The original factory was in an old Dalgety Wool Store, but later moved to larger premises in Corio.

The first car to roll out of the Geelong factory was a legendary Model T Ford; the car that changed the landscape of affordable transportation for the masses. Known for its simple design and solid construction, the 1925 Australian Model T cost around 185 pounds, or approximately $18,542 in 2025 money.

In April, 2025, Andrew Birkic, president and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand, said:

“This is a significant milestone for the Ford Australia team, our dealers and Ford fans around the country.

“Just about every family in Australia has a Ford story and we love how Ford vehicles are such a part of the cultural landscape of the country,” he said.

The centenary event showcased a selection of Ford’s own Heritage Fleet, including the first 1960 XK Falcon, which was introduced in September 1960, as well as the first Ford 1934 groundbreaking coupe-ute.

Ford Australia’s coupe-utility was the result of a request in 1932 from a Gippsland farmer to Ford, requesting the company build a vehicle that could “Take my wife to church on Sunday and carry my pigs in the back on Monday”. HV has recorded the history of the ute here.

Ford’s relationship with Geelong runs deep, including a partnership with the Geelong Football Club that also celebrated its 100th year.

Geelong was home to Ford’s original stamping plant at Norlane, site of the current Research and Development Centre.  Not far away is the 900ha You Yangs Proving Ground at Lara, where Ford develops and tests vehicles. 

The Ford Heritage Vault

Ford fans can now embark on a nostalgic adventure through the Ford Heritage Vault, where thousands of Australian and global archival materials are held, including 2500 brochures and more than 19,000 digital items.

Ford’s Archives team, led by Ford Heritage brand manager, Ted Ryan and Senior Collections Archivist, Ciera Casteel, worked with local vendors to digitise thousands of images, brochures, documents and audiovisual materials to preserve and make this history available to the public.

“It has been a mammoth undertaking, but we’re continuing to add to the on-line archive with Australian-relevant documents, brochures and images,” Ryan said. “We want to ensure the collection is made accessible online for the general public, so everyone can re-live their favourite moments.” 

You can check out the Ford Heritage Vault at: Hop in the Driver’s Seat | Ford Heritage Vault

Among the images and brochures available there are engaging snapshots of vehicles that provide a walk down memory lane: the 1970s camping scene with the Falcon Overniter Link and the Ford LTD brochure, with a lofty comparison to a Stradivarius violin Link. Enjoy!

GT Nationals video

Almost coinciding with Ford Australia’s centenary was the 20th Ford Falcon GT Nationals event, held at the excellent MOVE facility in Shepparton. Falcon GT guru Howard Astill was there, of course and has kindly made a comprehensive video available for viewing:

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