Introducing the first Ford Transit Connect made in Romania

The first commercial shipment of newly-assembled Transit Connects from Craiova is destined for Ford dealers in Romania. Mid-term, Ford expects to export the majority of Craiova Transit Connect production, primarily to Central and Eastern Europe.

The first Transit Connect off the line was donated to Craiova Municipal Hospital.

At the car launch event, John Fleming, chairman and CEO of Ford Europe, said the manufacturing facility in Craiova meets the standards of any production plant in the world.

"Today marks another step in the evolution of the Craiova Plant, and demonstrates that we are keeping our promise to transform Craiova into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. We are here today to open an exciting new chapter in the relationship between Ford and Romania. This plant in Romania is comparable with any other production plant around the world" said John Fleming.

In 1935, Ford acquired a land plot in Floreasca where it built a modern production plant equipped with the first operational assembly line in Eastern Europe. Around 2,500 cars and trucks would roll of the assembly line annually.

Fords output in Romania

At Craiova, Ford will assemble 1,000-2,000 Transit Connect, shipped from a plant in Turkey as CKD collections (Complete Knock Down). Toward the end of the first quarter 2010, the light commercial vehicle will be fully manufactured in Romania.

“In 2009, the plant will put out around 1,000 – 2,000 vehicles. We do have to take into account the 50% decline in the automotive industry. If the economy recovers, we will increase the production output. In the first quarter next year, Transit Connect will be fully assembled in Romania”, said the chairman of Ford Europe.

At full capacity, Craiova will be able to produce up to 300,000 vehicles and 300,000 engines annually and provide employment for approximately 7,000 people from current 3,900. Over 380 different training courses have been put in place for employees to date that costs around 12 million euros, said Dionisio del Campos, said Ford’s country manager for Romania.

Fords strategy for the Romanian production plant

The second vehicle to be produced in Craiova after Transit Connect will be a small car, which is scheduled to go into production in the near future.

As announced earlier this year, Craiova will also build a small displacement, advanced EcoBoost petrol engine. The new engine will reduce fuel consumption by 30%.

“We are very confident in the future of the production plant. A new small-class class car and an EcoBoost engine will go into production. The production plant in Craiova will be the first to assemble the new small car – which is not the Fiesta or the Ka”, said Fleming.

“Once the modernization of the plant is completed and we are running Craiova at full capacity, we will have met our commitment to invest 675 million euros in this new manufacturing facility," said. Fleming.

Ford Motor Company acquired Automobile Craiova plant in March 2008.

European Investment Bank approved in May this year, a 400-mn euro loan for Ford Romania, of a total 750 million euro financial aid to European car manufacturers, in order to stimulate production of eco-friendly and energy-efficient cars.

Ford Motor Company holds 97% in Automobile Craiova, after increasing equity position in an initial public offering for which the US-based auto company paid 1.11 million lei.