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The ceremony in Craiova was organized by the McGuireWoods Romania team and participants included the Chairman and CEO Ford of Europe Stephen T. Odell, Executive Vice President Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs Ford Motor Company John Fleming, Romanian President H.E. Traian Basescu, Great Britain Ambassador H.E. Martin Harris, high-level representatives of the central and local Romanian administration, representative MPs and Ford Motor Company senior executives.
Ford also confirmed it is starting to build a second engine in Craiova – a 1.5-litre petrol engine – which will go into volume production early in 2013.
Romanian President Basescu also became the first official customer for the all-new Ford B-MAX, now rolling off the line at the new factory.
“This is a great day for Ford Motor Company, our Craiova manufacturing facility, and for Romania,” said Odell. “This is a world-class facility building two of Ford’s most advanced products – the Ford B-MAX and the 2012 International Engine of the Year, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – to the highest quality levels for our customers.”
In total, Ford is investing more than €675 million (about $875 million) in its Craiova engine and vehicle manufacturing facility. Ford has invested more than €500 million (nearly $650 million) to modernize and upgrade the Craiova vehicle manufacturing plant.
“Volume vehicle and engine production at Craiova brings a new level of sophisticated manufacturing to Eastern Europe,” said Fleming. “Craiova is today one of the most competitive and modern production sites in Ford’s global manufacturing footprint and, indeed, in the global auto industry as a whole, with cutting-edge facilities like its class-leading paint shop.”
Vehicle production follows the start of engine production, which started last month, at the Craiova facility with start of production of Ford’s class-leading, 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – the 2012 International Engine of the Year.
“We have been a trusted advisor for Ford for over 5 years and have been honored to serve our client in the negotiations with the government, in the post privatization phase and now when we see this essential proof point that despite all global economic challenges Ford has kept the commitment to Romania. We are honored to have been part of the team that implemented this historic industrial investment in Romania and very much hope that Ford’s example will be followed by other clients in the years to come,” stated Nadia Crisan, Managing Director McGuireWoods Romania.
McGuireWoods Romania started to work with Ford in early 2007, in the context of the privatization process of the Craiova manufacturing facility that Ford acquired one year later. Our company continues to assist Ford on Government Relations and Public Affairs. Ms. Crisan has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Ford Romania since 2009.
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