Toyota has announced plans to close its Altona plant on October 3, leaving 2600 workers unemployed.
The car maker's engine and manufacturing staff were summoned to a meeting at 4.15pm on Tuesday.
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Bitter-sweet launch for new Camry
Toyota launches the its new Camry at the Altona factory, the last car to be made in Australia.
The company released a statement at 5pm, saying the closure of the Altona plant and the consolidation of its corporate offices and would see the number of employees reduce from 3900 to approximately 1300.Â
The company plans to make 6100 more cars at Altona before it shuts shop, including 26,600 vehicles for the domestic market and and 34,400 vehicles for export.
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All corporate functions will move from Sydney to Melbourne by January 1, 2018.Â
The head office will remain in Port Melbourne, while the Altona factory will be used as a training centre.
Do you know more? Email scoop@theage.com.au
Toyota announced in 2014 that it would no longer make cars in Melbourne beyond 2017.
At the time, then-Toyota Australia chief Max Yasuda said the company had done everything it could to transform its business.
"But the reality is that there are too many factors beyond our control that make it unviable to build cars in Australia," Mr Yasuda said.
Toyota was the last local car maker to announce its exit from manufacturing in Australia.
Ford – the country's first major car marker – shut down its factories in Melbourne and Geelong in October 2016, leaving 600 workers unemployed.
Toyota's full statement:
Toyota Australia has today announced that Tuesday 3 October 2017 will be its final day of vehicle production at its Altona manufacturing plant.
As part of the shutdown process, the plant will stop building Aurion vehicles in August, Camry Hybrid vehicles in September and Camry Petrol vehicles in October.
The company will continue operating both AM and PM shifts until the final closure date. This will ensure the total volume production of 61,000 vehicles for the year, made up of 26,600 domestic and 34,400 exports, is met.Â
Toyota Australia President Dave Buttner reinforced the company's commitment to supporting employees throughout the transition period and beyond.
"Our priority over the remaining months is to continue to support our employees in every way possible so that they are well prepared for the future," Mr Buttner said.Â
"We remain extremely proud of our rich manufacturing history which spans over 50 years. Our employees are committed to producing vehicles of the highest quality as we work towards our goal of 'last car = best global car'."
As part of Toyota Australia's transition to a national sales and distribution company, the consolidation of all corporate functions from Sydney to Melbourne will take effect by 1 January 2018.Â
As a result of this consolidation and closure of manufacturing, the number of employees will reduce from 3900 people to approximately 1300.Â
The head office will continue to be based in Port Melbourne and most of the Altona manufacturing site will be retained for new and relocated functions.
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