Earlier this month, Ford announced that it will move production to three shifts at its Vsevolozhsk plant near St. Petersburg, Russia, recruiting and training 500 new employees in the process.
According to Gray Greenway, General Director of Ford Russia (officially Ford Motor Company ZAO), “The shift to a three shift production pattern is further evidence of the recovery in the Russian economy and increasing demand for both Focus and Mondeo.”
The new shift comes on the heels of the Ford Focus (once again) taking the title of the best-selling foreign-made car in Russia in 2010 — and that’s the previous-generation Focus, folks. The all-new global Focus that’s just now going on sale in Europe and North America will begin Russian production later in 2011.
The Motrolix Take
This is nothing but good news for Ford, but American/Canadian-blooded Blue Oval enthusiasts should keep in mind that the competitive landscape is quite different in Russia than it is in North America. Price is a much stronger factor in the Russian auto market than it is in nations with more acquired and established automotive tastes (read: Europe, U.S., Canada). And with Renault/Nissan brewing up some creative ways to bring cheap quality vehicles to Russian motorists, Ford shouldn’t rest on its laurels.
[expand]Ford St. Petersburg Plant Moves To Three Shift Operation to Meet Demand
Moscow, April 4, 2011 – Ford Motor Company today announced it will move to a three shift production pattern, effective today. Five hundred new employees were recruited and trained at Ford’s plant in Vsevolozhsk to fully staff all three shifts.
“The shift to a three shift production pattern is further evidence of the recovery in the Russian economy and increasing demand for both Focus and Mondeo,” said Gray Greenway, Ford Motor Company ZAO General Director.
With sales of over 67,000 units in 2010, the Ford Focus was once again the best selling foreign made car in Russia and continues to attract customers through its unbeatable combination of safety, technology and value. The Ford Mondeo with its outstanding EcoBoost engine and PowerShift transmission created new standards in it class and as a result became segment leader.
The Ford Focus currently being produced in Russia is the previous version to the all-new model which is just now going on sale in Europe and North America. The all-new Ford Focus goes into production in Russia later this year.
[/expand]
No Comments yet