A total of 3,000 vehicles will be produced by year-end, up to 30,000 next year, and an annual 300,000 when the factory reaches its full capacity. The total investment in the Craiova factory could amount to €775 million, of which the price of acquisition from the Romanian state represented €57 mln, for a 72.4 percent share package.
“It is true that this region has dropped, but it will bounce back faster, and when it does, I feel it will be very important to have the opportunity of having Transit Connect here, to be able to use it, if we need the production capacity of Ford Transit in Turkey,” John Fleming, President Ford Europe, told The Money Channel.
“I cannot estimate the net sales we are planning to have next year. It is difficult to estimate, because we do not know how the auto market will evolve. I do have expectations for Ford Craiova, but I cannot share these,” Fleming added.
Yesterday’s launch was the first public event attended by the new US Ambassador in Bucharest, Mark Gitenstein. “Ford’s presence here will be a powerful engine for growth in Romania’s economy, and in this Craiova community. It is a strong vote of confidence in Romania’s economic future,” Ambassador Gitenstein said.
