Ford seeks bigger role in developing future cars in Australia

Ford Australia is seeking a bigger role in developing cars of the future, even though its Autralia made Ford Falcon  faces an uncertain future.

However, analysts say the prospects for Ford's manufacturing operations in Australia seem bleak.

However, they say the success of a local research and development programme would help secure jobs even if the assembly plant were to go. Though much of the current development work is confidential, the 1,000-strong R&D team is credited with the development of the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50 that are now on sale.

Ford's R&D centre has several other projects on hand including an SUV spin-off. Ford Australia president Bob Graziano development jobs were not tied to manufacturing, or the under-performing Falcon.

Meanwhile, Ford's voice-activated SYNC in-car mobile connectivity system would be rolled out across all of its updated and new passenger models in Australia, and would likely feature in the locally made Falcon and Territory when both are refreshed in 2014.

SYNC connects compatible mobile phones via Bluetooth or USB. It fully integrates the key functions of the phone into the vehicle's display screen, automatically downloading its contacts and allows drivers to make and receive calls, listen to texts and play music with voice commands.