Vic: Ford Australia chief says choose tariffs or ruin

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2001
Vic: Ford Australia chief says choose tariffs or ruin

Ford Australia president GEOFF POLITES says Australia must reconsider its position
on tariff protection for the car industry or face possible ruin.

Federal governments have reduced tariffs from 57.5 per cent in 1985 to their current
level of 15 per cent and they are projected to drop to 10 per cent by the year 2005.

Mr POLITES says we have to adopt a more realistic approach.

He's told industry groups that as protection has been progressively dismantled over
the last 15 years, the share of the industry held by the domestically produced vehicles
has declined.

He says that means a potential risk for the continuation of manufacturing in Australia.

AAP RTV db/clr/maur/jn

KEYWORD: FORD (MELBOURNE)

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