Ford Motor Company is investing 600 million euros ($644 million) in Saarlouis Vehicle Assembly Operations in Germany. This plant is where the company will assemble the next generation of the Focus. The announcement comes just two weeks after General Motors announced it was selling Opel, it's German brand, to French automaker PSA Group (the parent company of Peugeot and Citroen).
Ford's new German plant will receive updated production equipment and tooling, logistical support, and energy supply projects. The facility will also get new press systems that will allow steel to be processed directly into car body parts, which will help to support a lightweight body.
Not only will it be built there, but the next-gen Focus compact will be designed and engineered at Merkenich Technical Center, which is located just a few hours north of the new Saarlouis facility in Cologne, Germany.
According to Ford, this investment will also add new energy supply systems that will reduce the plant's carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent.
Ford Motor Company employs 25,000 people in Germany. That's more than anywhere else in Europe. The Saarlouis facility will account for 6,000 of those positions.
NAFA Fleet Management Association
http://www.nafa.org/