COLOGNE, Germany, 30 April 2020 – Ford confirmed today that it intends to restart initial production at most of its main continental European vehicle and engine plants from May 4.
Manufacturing will resume on May 4 in a phased approach at Saarlouis Vehicle Assembly Operations and Cologne Assembly Operations and Engine Plant in Germany; Valencia Vehicle Assembly Operations in Spain; and Craiova Vehicle Assembly Operations and Engine Plant in Romania.
Production will restart at Valencia Engine Plant in Spain on May 18, while the resumption date for Ford’s Dagenham and Bridgend Engine Plants in the United Kingdom will be confirmed at a later date.
Production will start at a low level, prioritizing sold customer vehicle orders from dealers, and will gradually be ramped up over the next few months before full production is resumed. The production plans take into account supplier readiness, national movement restrictions and, Ford dealer sales sites reopening in key markets, as well as customer demand.
“Maintaining the health of our workforce is the top priority when restarting production and returning to work at our plants,” said Martin Hennig, chairman, Ford European Works Council. “Our union leaders across Europe have agreed on far-reaching measures for the best possible protection for our employees, which go beyond the nationally prescribed measures and apply to all our plants in Europe.”
A comprehensive list of Ford global standards on social distancing and employee health and safety actions in Ford’s manufacturing and other facilities across Europe will be implemented, including but not limited to: