Ford of Europe today said it would ‘single source’ of the redesigned next generation Focus, to be launched in 2010, from its Saarlouis plant in Germany. The redesigned C-Max, on the same platform and also scheduled for a 2010 job one, will also be single sourced from Valencia, Spain, for all European markets and “potentially for markets outside Europe”.
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Saarlouis, opened in 1970 employs almost 6,000 and currently builds the C-Max and CC (coupe-convertible) versions of the current Focus line, according to Ford’s website. Valencia, opened in 1976 to build the original Fiesta, employs just over 6,000 building the Fiesta and Focus; the latest Ka was shifted to a joint venture plant operated in Poland with Fiat and shares the line there with the Italian automaker’s 500.
“We announced last March that Saarlouis would be the lead plant for the next-generation Focus – just as it is for the current Focus – but also we said we were looking at a possible opportunity for a second production plant for a derivative of the vehicle,” said Ford of Europe chairman and CEO John Fleming.
“Since then, we have continued to evaluate this possibility. We have however concluded that – in line with our global manufacturing strategy with its emphasis on maximising investment efficiency and utilisation of our manufacturing capacity and flexibility – we will single source the next-generation Focus from Saarlouis and single source the C-Max from Valencia. We can also confirm that Valencia will supply the needs of the European market and potentially markets outside Europe as well.”
Last March, the automaker announced further measures intended to bring its capacity in line with the industry-wide declining demand and sales. It adjusted its sourcing plans to meet future business needs, given that demand was unlikely to improve significantly in the European market for some considerable time.
“Our objective is to return to sustainable profitability as soon as we can,” said Fleming. “We’ve already shown that we will make the necessary decisions and do whatever is required to ensure that Ford of Europe emerges from the downturn as a leaner and stronger company, ready to take on the opportunities presented once the economic situation finally improves.”
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