Ford Australia has built its last Falcon ute, bringing an iconic chapter of the nation's automotive history to an end.

The final FG X utility reached the end of the production line at the brand's Broadmeadows plant on Friday, more than 55 years after the original Falcon ute was introduced in 1961.

Ford staff held a private ceremony to mark the occasion, which was not open to customers, members of the public or media.

The last ute, a Windsor white XR6 model fitted with a manual transmission, will be kept within the company as part of a small collection of historic vehicles.

Ford introduced the original "Coupe Utility" designed by Lew Bandt in 1934.

But Ford fanatics keen to get their hands on a piece of history will be able to bid for the second-last model built. The final Ford ute sold to the public will be a grey XR6 Turbo manual model set to be auctioned for charity.

The brand recently donated the first of its final run of V8-powered Falcon XR8 Sprint sedans to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, which sold the car to Sydney enthusiast David Pearce for $92,500.

Ford's first Australian ute went on sale in 1934 following a customer's request for a practical machine with more refinement than conventional commercial vehicles.

End of an era: Ford has built its last Falcon Ute. Photo: Supplied

Then-Ford Australia chief Hubert French received a letter from the wife of a Gippsland farmer asking for a dual-role vehicle "to go to church on Sunday and a truck to take the pigs to market on Monday". The concept has since been a mainstay of Australian roads, with Ford producing more than 467,000 Falcon utes across the last six decades.

Sales of car-based Fords and Holden utes have been overshadowed in recent years by rugged four-wheel-drive pick-up utilities such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux that are ultimately more capable but less car-like to drive than the comparatively refined, locally-made utes. The iconic Australian models built by Ford and Holden still have a cult following, particularly from enthusiasts who appreciate the affordable performance offered by turbocharged and V8 variants.

Ford will continue to sell the Thai-built, Australian developed Ranger ute for the forseeable future.

The blue oval will shutter its Victorian factory on October 7, when the last Falcon sedan and Territory SUV leave its production line. Holden will stop production of the Cruze sedan and hatch on the same day, before Holden and Toyota stop final production of Australian Commodore and Camry/Aurion models in 2017.

Ford Australia has built its final Falcon Ute. Photo: Supplied Ford's ongoing Ranger is designed in Australia, built in Thailand and sold in about 200 markets. Photo: Supplied Ford Australia has built its final Falcon Ute. Photo: Supplied

Interested in buying Ford Falcon Ute? Visit our Ford showroom for more information.