24 Oct, 2012 3:21pm
Ford confirms it will close its Belgian plant in response to weak sales
Ford is planning to close the factory that makes the Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy in a bid to slash costs following weak sales across Europe.
The announcement follows “an emergency meeting” with senior staff and union officials earlier this week, and means that around 4,300 jobs will be cut at the Belgium factory.
Production of the three models will move to the firm’s plant in Valencia, Spain, which currently builds the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX MPVs.
Ford’s European operations have suffered losses of $1bn (£630m) so far in 2012, with sales down 10 per cent during the first half of the year to a 17-year low. A quarter of the firm’s sales come from Europe, but it uses only 65 per cent of its manufacturing capacity in the continent.
Ford Europe chairman and CEO Stephen Odell said: “The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Ford's business in Europe and to return to profitable growth.”
Ford would neither confirm nor deny that it is planning to close its factory in Southampton, which produces the Transit van.
http://www.autoexpre...gium-close-2014
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Ford Mondeo Factory In Belgium To Close In 2014
Started by
CoffeeDude
, Oct 30 2012 11:21 PM, 4 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 31 October 2012 - 08:55 AM
So the right hand drive new Mondeo might be further delayed to Malaysia (if ever), and possibly some cost structure would have changed, hopefully for the better.
#3
Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:49 AM
Hopefully Ford can now build more models in Thailand resulting in AFTA prices for the region. That would be great for the company and consumers. Who wouldn't want a cheaper Focus ST?
"Behind every great fortune there is a crime." ~ Mario Puzo (The Godfather)
#4
Posted 31 October 2012 - 04:30 PM
QUOTE (Breadman @ Oct 31 2012, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hopefully Ford can now build more models in Thailand resulting in AFTA prices for the region. That would be great for the company and consumers. Who wouldn't want a cheaper Focus ST?
bro...they won't build focus st in thailand...trust me...not ever...it's not a volume seller...that's why you don't see mercedes building SLs and SLKs in china or malaysia...its economically unfeasible...these plants that cater for a region is used to build volume sellers, focus, fiesta...maybe mondeo? Focus St is for enthusiasts, even if selling low price not many would buy it. Manual gearbox, think about it.
#5
Posted 31 October 2012 - 04:36 PM
QUOTE (chuakz @ Oct 31 2012, 04:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
bro...they won't build focus st in thailand...trust me...not ever...it's not a volume seller...that's why you don't see mercedes building SLs and SLKs in china or malaysia...its economically unfeasible...these plants that cater for a region is used to build volume sellers, focus, fiesta...maybe mondeo? Focus St is for enthusiasts, even if selling low price not many would buy it. Manual gearbox, think about it.
I didn't say they will.
"Behind every great fortune there is a crime." ~ Mario Puzo (The Godfather)