Ford’s business in Romania falls under EUR 1 bln

Ford Romania, the country’s second largest carmaker, which owns a car factory in Craiova, had a turnover of EUR 912 million last year, 17% lower compared to 2013, according to its financial statements submitted to the Finance Ministry. Ford, which is also Romania’s third largest exporter, lowered its car production in Craiova by almost a quarter, to 53,000 units, reports local Ziarul Financiar. Ford produces the B-Max compact model in Romania. The model’s sales have declined in Europe, and the drop continued in the first five months of 2015, when Ford only assembled 21,700 B-Max cars, 18% fewer than in the same period of 2014. Ford also reduced its EcoBoost engine production in Romania last year, by some 14%, to 155,000 units, as it moved some of the production to Wales. However, Ford Romania recorded a 37% increase in car sales in the local market, reaching almost 7,000 units sold. Ford beat the 21% market growth last year. The company ended the year with a net profit of EUR 6 million, down by almost 70% compared to 2014. It had 3,140 employees, 300 less compared to 2013. editor@romania-insider.com