Pressemelding -
Ford stopper midlertidig sin produksjon av kjøretøy og motorer i Europa for å forhindre ytterligere spredning av koronaviruset
Ford stopper midlertidig sin produksjon av kjøretøy og motorer på sine fabrikker på det europeiske fastlandet for å bidra til redusert spredning av koronaviruset. Dette starter fra torsdag 19. mars og er ventet å vare i noen uker.
Engelsk versjon her:
Ford is temporarily suspending vehicle and engine production at its manufacturing sites in continental Europe in response to the growing impact of the Coronavirus. Effective from Thursday, March 19, it is expected that this action will continue for a number of weeks.
The action follows the World Health Organization’s designation of Europe as the new epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic with the number of reported cases growing significantly in recent days and expected to continue to rise rapidly. Ford’s decision to temporarily halt production also will contribute towards the efforts to contain the virus spread.
“While the impact of coronavirus at our facilities so far has been limited thankfully, its effects on our employees, dealers, suppliers and customers, as well as European society as a whole, is unprecedented,” said Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe. “Due to the dramatic impact this ongoing crisis is having on the European market and the supplier industry – together with the recent actions by countries to restrict all but essential travel and personal contact – we are temporarily halting production at our main continental Europe manufacturing sites.”
Component supplies to Ford manufacturing sites in Europe have been increasingly interrupted, while sales of vehicles across the industry have declined with dealerships required to temporarily close their sales operations in some countries. However, the servicing of vehicles is regarded as an important societal need and Ford dealerships are continuing to provide essential maintenance and service across the continent.
The Ford vehicle manufacturing sites in Cologne and Saarlouis in Germany, together with the Craiova facility in Romania, will temporarily halt production from Thursday, March 19. Ford’s Valencia assembly and engine facility in Spain already temporarily halted production from Monday, March 16, after three workers were confirmed with coronavirus over the past weekend. Only essential work, such as maintenance and security, will continue onsite.
Impacted employees in Europe are being contacted by their supervisors with more information about their specific site details.
While it is hoped this action will only be required for a short period, the exact duration depends on a number of factors. These include the spread of the coronavirus; national government and European Union restrictions on movement, including across borders; the supplier industry’s ability to supply components; and the return of customers to dealerships, many of which are now closed as part of the measures taken at a national level.
The measures announced today follow actions announced last week requiring all employees to work remotely unless they are performing a business-critical job that requires being onsite. The working remotely policy will continue, until further notice, in a continued effort to help contain the virus. Precautionary measures are being taken to protect the safety of the small number of employees who are unable to work from home.
“It is at difficult times like these when we must stand united and put people first,” added Rowley. “We at Ford will play our part in the weeks ahead to help get through this crisis, reduce its spread and alleviate its effects wherever we can.”
Kontakter:
John Gardiner
+49 1520 934 1079
Rella Bernardes
+49 171 975 1593
Emner
Om Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company er et global selskap med hovedkontor i Dearborn, Michigan, USA. Selskapet utvikler og produserer en rekke kjøretøy som inkluderer personbiler, SUVer, nyttekjøretøy, lastebiler, elektrifiserte kjøretøy og Lincoln luksusbiler.Konsernet leverer også finansielle tjenester gjennom Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford Motor Company har som mål å ha en ledende rolle innen elektrifisering, selvkjørende biler og mobilitetsløsninger. Ford har 190 000 ansatte over hele verden. For mer informasjon om Ford, produktene og Ford Motor Credit Company, vennligst se www.corporate.ford.com
Ford Europa er ansvarlig for å produsere, selge og vedlikeholde Ford kjøretøy i 50 markeder og har ca.46.000 ansatte ved sine heleide anlegg. De har rundt 61.000 ansatte når fellesforetak og ikke-konsoliderte virksomheter er inkludert. I tillegg til Ford Motor Credit Company inkluderer Ford Europas virksomhet Ford Servicemarked og 19 produksjonsenheter (hvorav 12 er heleide og 7 er ukonsoliderte joint venture fasiliteter.). Den første Ford-bilen ble sendt til Europa i 1903 – samme år som Ford Motor Company ble etablert. Produksjon i Europa startet i 1911.
Ford Motor Norge er en bilprodusent og mobilitetsselskap som importerer biler og deler for salg gjennom et forhandlernettverk på 82 salgs- og servicepunkter. Den første Ford-bilen kom til Norge allerede i 1906, trolig gjennom firmaet E.C. Gjestvang i Oslo. Lenge var det kun private forhandlere som importerte Ford til Norge via Danmark. Først i 1960 ble Ford Motor Norge etablert etter sterkt engasjement fra blant annet Trygve Lie, FNs første generalsekretær og norsk ambassadør i Washington.
