Ford Craiova Factory launched, thursday, the production of the new SUV for Europe market, in order to cover, according to the company, the growing demand of the customers in this segment.

The event was attended by President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Mihai Tudose, US Ambassador to Romania, Hans Klemm, among others. and a number of local officials.

Ford of Europe said on Thursday that the company had invested about 200 million euros in Craiova for the production of the new model. and will employ another 1,700 people, so at the end of the year the factory in Dolj County will have 3,900 employees.

The SUV to be produced in Craiova will be sold on 56 markets across four continents. The facelift version of EcoSport brings with it a much more sophisticated interior. a powerful and efficient Ford EcoBlue 1.5-liter diesel engine, the Intelligent All Wheel Drive and a ST-Line sports version.

Instead of continuing its import from the Ford factory in Chennai, India, the decision to build the new EcoSport in Europe will help Ford to rise to the growing demands of customers in this segment. “EcoSport is the new example of how Ford builds operations based on the benefits of its own game. – implicitly based on world-class SUVs, “said Steven Armstrong, Group Vice President and President of Ford Motor Company Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “With the growing demand for EcoSport and generally for SUVs in this category, it is the right time to relocate production in Europe and to raise ourselves to the demands of our customers”.

John Oldham, president of Ford Romania, said the Craiova plant is the only production site of the new EcoSport that will be sold in the EU market. President Iohannis said that, by launching the new model, the Romanian automotive industry is creating a strong reputation. “We started this journey, almost 10 years ago, and we grew up step by step, from the start, until the Craiova plant plays an important role in Ford Europe. Until a while ago, our factory has produced one of the most complex vehicles in our range, the unmistakable B Max with its non-contact design. We continue to produce proudly the 1.10-liter EcoSport gasoline engine with advanced technology. an engine that equips one of five cars that Ford sells in Europe and the only one to win the title of the International Engine of the Year for seven consecutive years. Today, Craiova becomes the only production site of the new EcoSport, which will sell, across Europe, a product that competes in one of the fastest-growing segments on the SUV market. I strongly believe that Craiova is the ideal home for EcoSport because here we have an excellent factory, excellent products and people, “said Oldham.

Present at this event, as a guest of honor, President Klaus Iohannis spoke of an opportunity for Romania’s economic development, an opportunity that should not be missed. On the other hand, President Iohannis believes that with the launch of the new EcoSport model, the automotive industry in our country creates a stronger reputation in the European car market, especially as the recent results are very promising.

”For example, in the post-crisis period, the annual growth rate of our automotive industry was about 15%, and we are currently ranked 11th in Europe after annual car production. Through your work and all those working in this area. the Romanian automotive industry accounted for about 13% of GDP last year and a quarter of Romania’s total exports, a very large sector and very important for our economy. By expanding and modernizing the Ford plant in Craiova, another 1,700 new jobs are created, which is a good achievement for the local and regional economy, “the country’s president.

The second generation of the EcoSport, assembled for the first time at the Ford Craiova Factory, is the most important novelty of the American builder. Moreover, EcoSport follows a launch calendar similar to Dacia Duster – official presentation in Frankfurt. launching in production and delivery to dealers so that the end of the year – the beginning of next year will begin deliveries to customers. Prime Minister Mihai Tudose said that Ford’s development plans in Romania show that Romania is a favorable environment for investments

The head of the Government has highlighted the importance of the automotive industry for the Romanian economy. both in terms of its share in GDP and social development, by creating new jobs both directly and through the economic engagement effect. “25-27 years ago, the presence in Romania of a name like Ford seemed a utopia. Two years ago, when Andrew planned to make a new model at the Ford Craiova Factory, I admit I was skeptical. Today, we live a unique moment of joy. I am delighted that this great event of Craiova, Romania, Ford, is also a statement, practically of one of the largest companies. that Romania is a good environment for doing business, a good environment for making quality products, a place where you can build, where you can develop, a place where a Ford-size company did not come in an adventure, came to make something stable, has come to stay, “said Tudose.

SUV sales on the 20 markets where Ford is present increased last year by 27% and gathered a quarter of total car registrations. Ford SUVs have increased sales by 30% in 2016 and rising by 27% in the first eight months of 2017. SUVs will also bring more jobs. By the end of the year, Ford wants 1,700 new positions at the Ford Craiova Factory, totaling 3900 jobs in vehicle production and engine manufacturing. The total investment since its inception (March 2008) exceeds one billion euros. The Craiova plant will be the only EcoSport production source for Europe (except for Russia). The plant will deliver the Ford SUV on very diverse markets such as the UK, New Caledonia (Oceania), Turkmenistan (Central Asia) or South Africa. Besides the new EcoSport, the Ford Craiova team will continue to produce the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost engine, the only winner of the title “The International Engine of the Year” for four consecutive years.

President Klaus Iohannis made a drive in Craiova with the new Ford EcoSport SUV. After the drivetest he confessed that it is a good car that will surely sell. “I gave a circuit break with the new Ford EcoSport car, a very good car and for this class it seemed to me that it has excellent equipment. the behavior is very good, I think it will sell well, “said Iohannis. Asked if he would buy a car produced in Craiova, given that former President Traian Basescu did so,. Iohannis replied, “We will study the matter,” mentioning that he will consult with the First Lady.

“Ford Motor Company has invested $ 1.5 billion in community development around the world. The company promotes Ford’s vision of improving people’s lives by encouraging social mobility from 1949 to the present. in Romania has invested over half a million euros in various social and health projects”