jpd80 Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 (edited) Ford invests $644M in German plant that will make FocusIan Thibodeau, The Detroit News 10:21 a.m. ET March 17, 2017 Ford Motor Co. will invest 600 million euros ($644 million) in its Saarlouis Vehicle Assembly Operations in Germany, where the company will make its next-generation Focus. The announcement comes two weeks after General Motors Co. agreed to sell its German brand, Opel, to French automaker PSA Group, a move that got GM out of its money-losing European business. Ford’s German plant will receive updated production equipment, logistical support and energy-supply projects through the investment. The plant will also get new press systems that allows steel to be processed directly into car body parts, which supports a lightweight build. Great news, all bodes well for next gen Focus....especially the part about supporting a lightweight build. Interesting that as Ford invests in Europe, GM turns its back and walks away... Edited March 19, 2017 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2b2 Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Great news, all bodes well for next gen Focus....especially the part about supporting a lightweight build. Interesting that as Ford invests in Europe, GM turns its back and walks away... Nature abhors a vacuum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 C1 has served Ford well since 2003 but that design combination is becoming a liability today, I'm so glad that Ford is switching platforms and taking the opportunity to look at all areas of the package. and hopefully, we finally see the fruits of "One Ford" delivering an all new Focus that reconnects with buyers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 GM got burned in EU, so they are cutting their losses. PSA is subsidized by France, so of course they can do OK. Who will want the US to bail GM out again, just so they can stay in EU? Anyway, some Euro people will say "tsk tsk" that Focus isn't a "premium family car" here, but with your high fuel taxes, and 1000+ year old roads, what do you expect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 I have a feeling that the next Euro Focus will indeed be right up to scratch, remember that C1 has been around since 2003 and that this product change is a big deal with getting Ford aimed at the market and buyers again, the US then takes whatever it needs.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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