Question:1. What is the effect of the decline of Ford Australia’s productivity on its cost efficiency, production, and profit? Discuss.PLEASE ANSWER Ford to shut down Australian production by 2016Published time: May 23, 2013 09:50The Ford Motor Company has decided to wind down production in Australia after 85 years. Thecar maker says the closure of two plants and the loss of 1200 jobs is because of production losses andthe small market."Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia for the longer term," said Chief Executive of FordAustralia Bob Graziano. "Our locally-made products continue to be unprofitable, while our importedproducts continue to be profitable."Analysts estimate the company has approximately $580 million in losses in the last fiscal year,and profit fell by 72 percent. Ford's decision in Australia follows effort to also close shop in Europe.Graziano told reporters Australian production was no longer sustainable, as it was double thecosts of Europe and quadruple the costs in Asia. The average hourly manufacturing salary in Australia in2011 was $46.29, slightly lower than in Germany but 30 percent higher than the US and Japan, andnearly 75 percent higher than Brazil, according to US Department of Labor data.This could be a warning for other foreign auto makers- Toyota and General Motors - which bothcurrently plan to keep operations running.The Australian government already highly subsidizes the car industry through a $5.4 billion fund,$34 million of which is allocated to Ford Australia.Two plants in Melbourne and Geelong in the state of Victoria will be closed by 2016, givingworkers 3 years notice, and offering a government rescue support package of $39 million.Australia's auto industry directly employs 45,000 people across the country, and another250,000 indirectly, according to the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers.Australia's population in 2012 was 22.8 million, a small market to sustain both local productionand sales.Car registrations in Australia decreased to 93,423 in April of 2013, down 1,531 from March,indicating a drop in sales.Metals and and plastics industries, two of Australia's core, are expected to feel the impact of theplant closure.There has been speculation that the Carbon tax is a driving factor behind Ford's decision to haltproduction.Victoria Premier Denis Napthine, though confident of recovery, blames the carbon tax for hiking upproduction and manufacturing costs. The government has proposed to ditch the tax this comingDecember, but will not likely alter Ford's decision to pack up and leave for cheaper labor and moreprofitable production.

Answered: 1. What is the effect of the decline of…

1. What is the effect of the decline of Ford Australia’s productivity on its cost efficiency, production, and profit? Discuss.

Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)

8th Edition

ISBN:9781305585126

Author:N. Gregory Mankiw

Publisher:N. Gregory Mankiw

Chapter14: Firms In Competitive Markets

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 4PA

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Title Case: Ford to Shutdown Australian Production by 2016 The Ford Motor Company has decided to wind down production in Australia after 85 years. The carmaker says the closure of two plants and the loss of 1,200 jobs are because of production losses and the small market. “Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia for the longer term,” said Chief Executive of Ford Australia Bob Graziano. “Our locally made products continue to be unprofitable, while our imported products continue to be profitable.” Analysts estimate the company has approximately $580 million in losses in the last fiscal year, and profit fell by 72 percent. Ford’s decision in Australia follows effort to also close shop in Europe. Graziano told reporters, Australian production was no longer sustainable as it was double the costs of Europe and quadruple the costs in Asia. The average hourly manufacturing salary in Australia in 2011 was $46.29, slightly lower than in Germany but 30 percent higher than the US and…
Title Case: Ford to Shutdown Australian Production by 2016 The Ford Motor Company has decided to wind down production in Australia after 85 years. The carmaker says the closure of two plants and the loss of 1,200 jobs are because of production losses and the small market. “Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia for the longer term,” said Chief Executive of Ford Australia Bob Graziano. “Our locally made products continue to be unprofitable, while our imported products continue to be profitable.” Analysts estimate the company has approximately $580 million in losses in the last fiscal year, and profit fell by 72 percent. Ford’s decision in Australia follows effort to also close shop in Europe. Graziano told reporters, Australian production was no longer sustainable as it was double the costs of Europe and quadruple the costs in Asia. The average hourly manufacturing salary in Australia in 2011 was $46.29, slightly lower than in Germany but 30 percent higher than the US and…
Title Case: Ford to Shutdown Australian Production by 2016 The Ford Motor Company has decided to wind down production in Australia after 85 years. The carmaker says the closure of two plants and the loss of 1,200 jobs are because of production losses and the small market. “Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia for the longer term,” said Chief Executive of Ford Australia Bob Graziano. “Our locally made products continue to be unprofitable, while our imported products continue to be profitable.” Analysts estimate the company has approximately $580 million in losses in the last fiscal year, and profit fell by 72 percent. Ford’s decision in Australia follows effort to also close shop in Europe. Graziano told reporters, Australian production was no longer sustainable as it was double the costs of Europe and quadruple the costs in Asia. The average hourly manufacturing salary in Australia in 2011 was $46.29, slightly lower than in Germany but 30 percent higher than the US and…
Title Case: Ford to Shutdown Australian Production by 2016 The Ford Motor Company has decided to wind down production in Australia after 85 years. The carmaker says the closure of two plants and the loss of 1,200 jobs are because of production losses and the small market. “Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia for the longer term,” said Chief Executive of Ford Australia Bob Graziano. “Our locally made products continue to be unprofitable, while our imported products continue to be profitable.” Analysts estimate the company has approximately $580 million in losses in the last fiscal year, and profit fell by 72 percent. Ford’s decision in Australia follows effort to also close shop in Europe. Graziano told reporters, Australian production was no longer sustainable as it was double the costs of Europe and quadruple the costs in Asia. The average hourly manufacturing salary in Australia in 2011 was $46.29, slightly lower than in Germany but 30 percent higher than the US and…
Title Case: Ford to Shutdown Australian Production by 2016 The Ford Motor Company has decided to wind down production in Australia after 85 years. The carmaker says the closure of two plants and the loss of 1,200 jobs are because of production losses and the small market. “Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia for the longer term,” said Chief Executive of Ford Australia Bob Graziano. “Our locally made products continue to be unprofitable, while our imported products continue to be profitable.” Analysts estimate the company has approximately $580 million in losses in the last fiscal year, and profit fell by 72 percent. Ford’s decision in Australia follows effort to also close shop in Europe. Graziano told reporters, Australian production was no longer sustainable as it was double the costs of Europe and quadruple the costs in Asia. The average hourly manufacturing salary in Australia in 2011 was $46.29, slightly lower than in Germany but 30 percent higher than the US and…
Case A: Jackie Brown Company.Suppose you are the economic advisor of Jackie Brown Company, a perfectly competitive company that is suffering economic losses due to unforeseen continuous drop in the market price. Jackie Brown is a price taker; hence it cannot influence the market price, nor could it change production technology in the short run. You are asked to decide whether the company should shut down its operations or to continue to operate at a loss. Jackie Brown is selling 50 units of output per day, at a price of $20 per unit. The cost of raw material, direct labor, energy, and other variable inputs is about $24000 monthly. Unfortunately, an estimate of Jackie Brown fixed costs is currently unavailable.So, what is your decision? Justify your answer.
1. A firm has three different production facilities, all of which produce the same product. Whilereviewing the firm’s cost data, Ron, a manager, discovered that one of the plants has a higher averagecost than the other plans and suggests closing this plant. Another manager, Jack, notes that the high-cost plant has high fixed costs but that the marginal cost in this plant is lower than in the other plants.He says that the high-cost plant should not be shut down but should expand its operations. Who isright? 2. Should a firm shut down if its weekly revenue is $1,000, its variable cost is $500, and its fixed cost is$800, of which $600 is avoidable if it shuts down? Explain.
Ike’s Bikes is a major manufacturer of bicycles. Currently, the company produces bikes using only one factory. However, it is considering expanding production to two or even three factories. The following table shows the company’s short-run average total cost (SRATC) each month for various levels of production if it uses one, two, or three factories. (Note: Q equals the total quantity of bikes produced by all factories.) Number of Factories Average Total Cost (Dollars per bike) Q = 100 Q = 200 Q = 300 Q = 400 Q = 500 Q = 600 1 360 200 160 240 400 720 2 540 300 160 160 300 540 3 720 400 240 160 200 360 Suppose Ike’s Bikes is currently producing 500 bikes per month in its only factory. Its short-run average total cost is per bike. Suppose Ike’s Bikes is expecting to produce 500 bikes per month for several years. In this case, in the long run, it would choose to produce bikes using . On the following graph, plot the three SRATC…