Ford of Europe’s plant in Cologne-Niehl has built the two millionth vehicle in the Fiesta/Fusion series.
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The two millionth vehicle made on Thursday was a red Fiesta ST destined for Great Britain. Around 74% of the 2m vehicles built were Fiestas.
Cologne last year set a production record of 412,688 vehicles, beating 2005’s also-record tally of 403,000.
Almost 90% of output is exported to 52 countries – the five largest markets Britain, Germany, Italy, France and Russia.
More far-flung markets include Madagascar, Azerbaijan, Gibraltar, Hong Kong and Mozambique while the Pacific island of Tahiti is considered the furthest from Cologne.
Of the two million Fiestas and Fusions built since 2002, 1.25m were left-hand drive.
The start of production of the latest series began in February 2002 after a EUR410m investment to modernise the plant and develop a neighbouring supplier park.
Increased efficiencies have boosted daily production from 1,200 units in 2002 to 1,950 today.
The Ford-Werke plant employs 4,200 staff and another 13,200 are at other company facilities in the city.
