Already in the coming months, Ford may significantly reduce the production of Focus at the German plant in Saarlouis, the publication Automotive News Europe found out. The decision was influenced by low sales of the model in Europe, which in May 2022 decreased by 28.3 percent compared to the same month of 2021. In addition, the automaker is experiencing problems due to a shortage of components that were supplied from Ukraine, as a result of which the waiting time for cars is delayed and can reach 12 months, writes Motor1.com.
The company has existed since 1970 and currently employs a little more than six thousand people who assemble Focus and its “charged” version of ST. In early March, it became known that the company was faced with a shortage of electronic components necessary for the Sync 4 multimedia system, which was supplied from Ukraine. As a result, the company was forced to temporarily suspend accepting orders for cars with such a media center. This led to the fact that the issue of an excess labor force becoming acute at the German factory.
According to the German media, the decision to cut production in Saarlouis will be made by the end of this month. According to other reports, assembly volumes will be cut only after August 29.
Source: Automotive News Europe