Posted on 10/24/2012 9:23:54 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Ford’s vehicle manufacturing in Britain is at risk of coming to an end after more than a century following the US car maker’s decision to shrink its European production operations.
Ford’s vehicle manufacturing in Britain is at risk of coming to an end after more than a century following the US car maker’s decision to shrink its European production operations.
It is understood that Ford’s Southampton plant has been earmarked for closure risking 500 jobs as part of a broader consolidation process prompted by the negative impact of the eurozone debt crisis on the industry.
In a statement Stephen Odell, chairman and chief executive of Ford’s business in Europe said the region-wide review was necessary for the company’s future.
“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,” he said.
The company said its manufacturing consolidation plans were driven by a more than 20pc fall in total vehicle demand in Western Europe since 2007.
“New vehicle sales in the region have reached a nearly 20-year low this year and are expected to remain flat or fall further next year,” it said.
A spokeswoman for the company would not comment on the future of Ford’s manufacturing in Britain but said more details on the review would be outlined on Thursday.
Ford employs a total of 11,500 in Britain, excluding Ford Financial and Ford Retail which takes the total to 15,000.
As well as Southampton, the company has three other manufacturing plants in Britain. It produces petrol engines in Bridgend, South Wales, where 2,000 people are employed; diesel engines in Dagenham, where 4,000 are employed; and gear boxes in Halewood, where 800 are employed in a joint venture with Getrag
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Ford is bleeding money in Europe.
ALso announced closure of Belgium Genk plant today:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2012/10/24/ford-belgian-plant-closing-money-losing/1654421/
In related news, new car sales in Portugal are down 40%, but the government has a genius solution - increase tax on car ownership.
Ford will not stand by and let it continue either. Ford intends to succeed. If I am wrong, somebody let me know.
It's not that easy in EUSSR. Permission is necessary from the commissars.
Ford has been working for many moons to shut down production.
yitbos
Don't know if that is worse than the government employment plan ordering up 12,000 electric cars, made in the government factory, at taxpayer expense.
yitbos
I thought they made Transits at the Southampton plant, not whatever it is in that picture.
From wiki...
In 2009, with the new Kocaeli, Turkey, plant in full production, Ford resultantly halved production at Southampton and reduced the workforce to just over 500
A Ford Transit -
That’s not what the Transits I see around here look like. They seem to be selling pretty well around here. They seem to have a lot of competition in Europe, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot in that class in the US.
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