Ford plans to bring new small model for production in Romania, moves production for future Fiesta model to Cologne

Carmaker Ford's recently announced shift of all production for its future generation Fiesta model to Cologne in Germany will not affect the company's commitment to Romania, where a second, more compact model could be added to production, its representatives have announced. “Ford is keeping its firm commitment to the Craiova factory, where it has invested over USD 1 billion in the vehicle and engine production,” according to Ford Romania. The carmaker has long-term projects for the Craiova factory, and the management is currently seeking for opportunities to produce a second small class model at the Romanian factory, according to Ford. In Romania, Ford manufactures the B-Max model. The carmaker manufactures 370 B-Max cars a day and around 1,000 engines in its Craiova factory. Ford halted the production of B-Max cars at its local for several days in March and April. The measure aimed to adjust the production to match demand on the market. Ford recently announced the end of successful negotiations with German workers unions, announcing a third shift for the engines factory in Cologne, as well as new flexible working hours and flexible work days will allow plant to efficiently match production to demand. The move will also create 500 new engineer jobs at the Cologne plant, which will become the single source for European production of the next-generation of the small Ford Fiesta car. editor@romania-insider.com