The Ford Focus is currently manufactured in Saarlouis in a three-shift operation. The production of the Ford C-Max was also incorporated this year by the Saarlouis factory. Bernhard Mattes, CEO of Ford-Werke GmbH, confirmed that \u201cmanufacturing at Ford\u2019s German locations is known for its efficiency and performance. Commitments from both sides have enabled the sites and their workforces to gain long-term prospects\u201d. The Cologne-based manufacture of the Ford Fiesta vehicle remains the only European production site for Europe\u2019s best-selling small car.<\/p>\n
Employees are also making a contribution: from 2017 they will be forgoing special payments and special leave due as a result of a company anniversary. In return, the company does not expect to make any cuts to current levels of pay; even new employees will not be subject to wage cuts.
\nIn order to strengthen the German sites for the coming years, the company is also stepping up its product development endeavours. In 2014 alone, 500 additional employees are being appointed in this area, primarily being achieved by transferring temporary staff to the permanent workforce. The agreement expressly states that \u201cthis process will be continued in subsequent years\u201d. In addition, on an annual basis there are to be \u201cat least 150 young skilled workers transferred to permanent employment per year\u201d.
\nThe measures agreed are expected to enable the company to save 400 million US dollars during the period of the agreement from 2017 to 2021.
\nThis development also puts an end to speculations that the Ford Fiesta might in the future be produced more cheaply in Romania. The next generation of Ford Fiestas will not be from abroad, but from Cologne: jobs at the German sites are safe until the end of 2021.<\/p>\n
Ford-Werke GmbH is a German automobile manufacturer based in Cologne. The company employees a total staff of 29,000 across its sites in Cologne, Saarlouis and Genk (Belgium). Since being founded in Berlin in 1925, Ford has produced more than 40 million vehicles in Germany and Belgium. For further information on Ford products please visit<\/p>\n