Ford’s European unit and the Spanish UGT union on Wednesday signed an agreement securing vehicle assembly at the automaker’s Almussafes, Valencia, plant until 2013.
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Ford said it would introduce up to three new small and medium segment models into the plant and that the factory would build at least 350,000 vehicles a year on three shifts. It is also investing EUR425m at Almussafes to support the deal.
The Valencia UGT union has, in turn, committed to assist the company in achieving labour costs savings required to keep the plant cost-competitive with the rest of the European vehicle manufacturing industry.
As the formal document signing in the coastal city of Valencia this morning, Ford of Europe president and CEO, John Fleming, said: “With the signing of this agreement today, I am pleased to be able to dispel any uncertainties about the future of the Valencia plant. I have always said it was one of our most efficient and flexible plants in Europe.”
UFT representative Gonzalo Pino added: “We are pleased that the company has shown faith in the Valencia workforce by committing itself to this programme of investment and new model introductions.”
Fleming also visited Valencia community president Francisco Camps today. Afterwards, he said: “Mr Camps told me how important Ford was to the Valencia region. I had the opportunity to say how pleased Ford Motor Company was with the outstanding co-operation and support we receive from the Valencia community government as well as from the central Spanish government.”
