By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
IT’S “business as usual” for Nissan’s casting plant in Dandenong despite the announced car-making closures of Ford, Holden and Toyota.
Nissan Motor (Australia) spokesman Peter Fadeyev made the proclamation last Tuesday, a day after Toyota announced it would stop making cars in Australia by 2017.
“You could say we’re the last one standing,” Mr Fadeyev said, though noting Ford and Holden would retain a domestic engineering and car-design presence.
Nissan Casting Australia’s Dandenong plant employs 143 full-time staff and 21 casual staff, with annual sales of more than $65 million.
Its immediate outlook was “steady and plentiful”, Mr Fadeyev said.
The plant produces more than 2 million cast-metal components and after-sales accessory components a year for Nissan plants across the world.
Mr Fadeyev said the plant’s future was unaffected by the looming closure of Alcoa’s aluminium smelter in Point Henry, despite relying heavily on the supply of raw aluminium.
Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus said Nissan’s ongoing commitment would help attract more investment.
“This is an important vote of confidence for the skills of our local workers and Dandenong’s industry reputation.”
He blamed the government’s inaction for the loss of “thousands of Australian jobs in the automotive industry”, with 200,000 more jobs that indirectly rely on the car industry being at risk.
“We must ensure Greater Dandenong remains an important manufacturing hub for Melbourne by supporting the companies we have and developing innovative industries.”
