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Ford to Keep French Factory with 1,000 Jobs

Sept. 7, 2012
Ford sold the plant, which used to make transmissions, to German company HZ Holding in 2009, before buying it back in January of last year.

Ford Motor Co.  (IW 500/6) said Friday it would keep its factory in the southwestern French town of Blanquefort going with at least 1,000 jobs.

The firm's director of manufacturing for Europe, Jeff Wood, told reporters that the automaker had decided to re-commit to the plant and restore 1,000 jobs, despite financial difficulties.

Ford sold the plant, which used to make transmissions, to German company HZ Holding in 2009, before buying it back in January of last year.

Unions say the plant employed around 1,200 people in December but now only has 250 active workers.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012

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