Sydney  - Ford Motor Co announced Friday it would make its Focus small car in Asia rather than Australia.

A year ago the US carmaker announced it would take on 300 staff at its Melbourne plant to produce 40,000 Focus cars a year for the local market and for export to New Zealand and South Africa.

Ford's move would have brought Australia back to small-car manufacturing a decade after the end of local production for Ford's Laser and Toyota Motor Corp's Corolla.

Ford said it would instead put money into improving the fuel efficiency of its thirsty Falcon and Territory models. (dpa)