Ford engine production at Cologne has fallen sharply because of reduced demand in the USA.
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Head of the plant’s works council, Dieter Hinkelmann, told German magazine auto motor und sport that he was concerned about the low volumes at the plant.
At its peak Cologne has shipped 680,000 engines to the US a year. This year that figure is expected to be 200,000 units at the most.
Ford spokesman Bernd Meier told news agency dpa that, of around 17,300 workers at Cologne, around 920 are engaged in engine production. Current industrial agreements mean that job cuts are ruled out before the spring of 2011. Nevertheless the number employed in engine production has fallen as people have been moved to other areas of the plant such as final vehicle assembly or transmission assembly.
Cologne produces four-litre engines for US models. In 2007 264,700 engines were built for that market.
Hinkelmann said he wanted assurances for workers in the engine plant. He also noted that 180 workers are currently producing several thousand engines for Aston Martin.
