Ford Risks Fine over Low Producivity at Craiova Factory

Ford could be fined between €2,9 million and €14 million for falling short of Craiova plant output target. In the privatisation contract signed in September 2007 Ford Romania committed to manufacture 250,000 cars in Craiova this year, a target impossible to achieve considering that only 3,000 Transit Connects were built there in the first four months of the year, and that the Ford B-Max will enter volume production only in 2012.
The company could expect a fine of €2,9 million if it will build over 225 thousand units but less than 250 thousand, a fine of €5,7 million if its annual output will be lower than 225 thousand units and €14 million if it will be lower than 200 thousand.
However a spokesman from Ford Europe told local newswire Ziarul Financiar that talks with the Romanian Government are progressing and he said to be confident there will be a new contract addendum soon.