The Recesssion Bites...........

[graham John]

24 October 2012 Last updated at 11:22
confirms plans to close Belgium factory









Ford warned last month that it would be cutting jobs in Europe amid falling demand for motor vehicles
US car giant Ford says it has started consultations on closing its factory at Genk in Belgium with the loss of 4,300 jobs to cut costs.
The company is looking to close the factory - which makes the Mondeo and S-MAX minivan - in 2014.
Unions held talks with the company on Wednesday morning.
The move follows a warning from Ford last month that it would be cutting jobs in Europe amid falling demand for motor vehicles.
Ford said its European operations could suffer losses of $1bn (£630m) this year.
Stephen Odell, chairman and chief executive of Ford Europe, said: "The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Ford's business in Europe and to return to profitable growth."
He added that the company understood the impact the potential action would have on the workforce and those connected to them and said that, if the restructuring plan was confirmed, it would will put in place measures and support to lessen the impact for those affected.
As well as Belgium, Ford has plants in Germany, Spain and the UK where it employs 15,000 workers.
Ford's sales fell almost 10% in Europe during the first half of 2012, to its lowest level in 17 years.
The company wants to reduce labour costs and improve plant utilisation in Europe. The region accounts for 25% of Ford's sales, but industry watchers say it uses less than 65% of its capacity there.
Union representative Luc Prenen said that Ford would transfer production of the new versions of the Mondeo and S-MAX marques to its plant in Valencia in Spain.
The Genk plant was expecting to start producing the new Mondeo in October next year.

cheeRS

[grum]

do you ever tell us any good news on here you DOOM MONGERER ...............


and on another note, theres a printer inkjet cartridge factory closing soon cos people don't photocopy anything anymore !!!!!!!!!!

[john foster]

Southampton transit factory to close too....

[rwdrs]

That's because the British won't put up enough of a fight. I bet Ford won't close a plant in Germany, too much hassle. If you want to keep the plant at Soton, bombard your local MP with e-mails and letters to the commons and Ford of Europe.

[graham John]

• Ford's Southampton factory, which employs about 500 people, could close, the BBC understands.

The US carmaker is expected to make an announcement about the factory, which makes Transit vans, on Thursday after a management and union meeting.
The company, which is restructuring its European operations, would not confirm or deny the reports.
Labour MP John Denham, for Southampton Itchen, said it would be "devastating" if the factory shuts.
'Falling sales'
He said: "Huge numbers of families would be affected. It would also be very bad for the UK motor industry.
"Obviously, we hope it's not true but it would be devastating if it closed, there are hundreds of jobs that depend directly on the plant and many others in the local economy.
"Southampton is the only place that still makes complete Ford vehicles of any type in the UK."

The Transit used to be everywhere. White van man's transport of choice.
Southampton took a real pride in the fact that for 45 years they were produced here, six million made in Britain and transported through the docks to destinations around the world.
But a fall in sales of a fifth saw the number of shifts reduced. MPs sought assurances that that factory would keep going in the face of cheaper production lines in other parts of Europe.

While other parts of the British motor industry are booming it looks like the city that was known for producing RJ Mitchell's Spitfire aircraft will now lose its last iconic production line.

• Conservative MP Caroline Nokes, for Romsey, said: "I've always had concerns for the future of the factory and it now looks like there will be an announcement tomorrow indicating that it's going to close.

"Most of the UK motor manufacturing sector is doing well but unfortunately there's a history of falling sales of Transit vans, I think we've got to do all we can to get these 500 people other jobs within the city."
Southampton City Council's Labour leader, Richard Williams, says the suggestion comes completely out of the blue.



cheeRS

[turbospud]

is it not more to do with the transit being expensive rubbish,vauxhall plant increased its workforce recently to meet demand for the vivaro

[rwdrs]

Conservative MP Caroline Nokes, for Romsey, said: "I've always had concerns for the future of the factory and it now looks like there will be an announcement tomorrow indicating that it's going to close.

Well do something about it then, not just "worry about it", get on to your mate Dave in Westiminster.

"Most of the UK motor manufacturing sector is doing well but unfortunately there's a history of falling sales of Transit vans, I think we've got to do all we can to get these 500 people other jobs within the city."
cheeRS

Nope, stop the bloody thing closing down, and save the jobs! This is just what I mean, oh dear let's just lay down and accept it
Do what they would do in Germany and make Ford pay, i.e. pay the cost of finding jobs for the redundant, after giving them a healthy golden handshake.

[driverace]

Why not do what the Germans do and bring the price of the Transit vans down ,I just got 8K off a new Merc car

[RUDDY]

Well I would say this to Ford

Three times I have been to my local Ford dealer to spend £23k on a new Ranger, sat in the office ready to place a deposit, no stock in the country of the model and colour so could I wait until March next year ?? No

Option two, secondhand Ranger advertised at a Ford main agent, called for further details, "sorry the sales staff are busy can they call you ? " ......3 days later no call

So I say **** you Ford, I"ll keep my money in the bank

[RSSRED]

Hear what your saying. Went to look at a kuga at our local ford dealer , cut a long story short gave up and bought a nissan.

[NORTH YORKS RS SPARES]

The bloody 20% VAT didnt help

I want a new sport van as mine is near 5 years old now , But i arnt paying £3400 in VAT that i cant claim back so the covement can pay some polish blokes rent in a £2000 per month house in central london

The sooner they sort the outragious costs in this country the sooner people will atart spending again , and the sooner people start spending the soon unemployment will go down again

Its hardly rocket ecience

[RS1800]

Well I would say this to Ford

Three times I have been to my local Ford dealer to spend £23k on a new Ranger, sat in the office ready to place a deposit, no stock in the country of the model and colour so could I wait until March next year ?? No

Option two, secondhand Ranger advertised at a Ford main agent, called for further details, "sorry the sales staff are busy can they call you ? " ......3 days later no call

So I say **** you Ford, I"ll keep my money in the bank

Toyota

[mk1gaz]

You would pay money for a Ranger or Kuga !!!! ...........

[kas750]

In my opinion Ford lost there way many years ago..Ford cars are high priced,suffer high depreciation and have a network of dealers that generally have an indifferent attitude to service and sales.
They have also suffered as a "brand" compared to prestigious marques in recent times.Fords models are a direct comparison to brands like kia.Except the fords are overpriced and with a worse warranty and reliability record.

[rsdc1]

I recently spotted a "tidy" S max on a forecourt, I know I know it's sad but I thought it would be better than the zafira my missus made me buy...
The price was written in very small numerals and when I got close enough to read it, I was actually stunned. There was a merc c class next to it, same age, £4500 cheaper...
What's going on, since when was ford a prestige marque?