The Economy

Ford Creates 500 New Jobs in Germany for Focus Production

Nov. 12, 2010

New Focus is part of Fords plan to leverage its global assets.

Ford Motor Co.'s Saarlouis Plant in Germany and the Michigan Assembly Plant in the United States are gearing up for the manufacturing launch of the next-generation Ford Focus.

Developed in Europe for sale in more than 120 markets worldwide with 80% parts commonality, the new Focus is a key part of the "One Ford" plan to leverage the company's global assets. The Focus is built from Ford's new global C-segment platform, which will account for more than 2 million units of annual production by 2012, according to the automaker.

Nearly 500 people currently employed on agency contracts at the Ford Saarlouis Plant will be offered permanent Ford contracts ahead of the start of assembly of the new car on Dec. 6, according to Ford.

The Saarlouis Plant, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, will be the single source for next-generation Ford Focus production in Western Europe, producing all three Focus body styles. Production at the Michigan Assembly Plant will concentrate on the four-door and five-door derivatives.

Ford will further expand production in mid-2011, when the automaker's plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, begins building the new four-door and five-door models of the Focus. Production in the Asia Pacific region will begin in early 2012, when the Chongqing plant in China comes online.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.