Ford Australia won't manufacture cars here for much longer,but that doesn't mean Aussies won't create cars locally-that will be built elsewhere.The future of Ford Australia is all about Asia.As the factories at Broadmeadows and Geelong wind down,there is no sign of any slacking among the 1000-plus engineers,designers and technicians who are doing future development for Ford.

In fact,a born-again Escort for China is a welcome boost for Ford and provides further proof of Australia's intergration into the global development plan.Its now become the 'home room' for a range of programs including a city car and compact SUV (i hate the term suv) for India,the Ranger range and now the Escort.

The Chinese compact was revealed at the 2013 Shanghai motor show,but only as a concept.Since then,the Australian development team has been responsible for getting it ready for production.It will eventually be built at a Changan-Ford joint-venture factory and the road ready model will be unveiled at this years Beijing motor show.

"The Escort is a project almost on the scale of the Ranger,"one Ford insider said.Getting details of the development work is almost impossible,as Ford Australia insists it is a supplier to other divisions of the company and its up to them to handle any press releases.

But the Australian 'home room' is now considered the go-to location for new vehicles in the Asia-pacific region,which require a focus on low production costs and robust engineering suitable for roads in developing countries.

Article was from muscle news.

I think its great that Aussie minds will help benefit motorists in other nations.its just a shame the cars won't be built here.