Ford Australia yesterday announced 350 job cuts, today make that 351 (appropriate?) as Ford Australia President Bill Osborne announced his resignation.

Osborne has been in the top job barely six months since coming to Australia from Ford in Canada. According to Drive.com Osborne is leaving for personal reasons “The decision I made is a very personal one,“ said Osborne. “It in no way reflects dissatisfaction with Ford and doesn’t reflect a lack of ongoing confidence in the company.  I can’t tell you how difficult this decision is. This is a fantastic company. I retain 100 per cent confidence in Ford Australia.“ he said.

It’s been a tough year for Ford, their much hyped new Falcon has failed to excite the market and the companies recent round of job cuts and the wind back of it’s local motorsport programme has caused low morale among fans of the blue oval marque.

A spokesperson for Ford Australia said that a replacement for Osborne will be announced “in due course”.