Ford closing it's Belgian plant...
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: Off Topic
Forum Discription: Anything non-Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28180
Printed Date: January-13-2025 at 1:14pm
Topic: Ford closing it's Belgian plant...
Posted By: Kristof
Subject: Ford closing it's Belgian plant...
Date Posted: October-24-2012 at 11:31am
|
This morning, the European direction of Ford Europe announced it will close the factory in Genk, Belgium in 2014. 4300 dierct jobs will be lost and another 5000 jobs will be lost in the surrounding plants supplying parts for the Ford plant. In 1992, the Ford plant still employed more than 13.000 people. Various restucturations over the years already downsized the numer of jobs to the current 4300. But now it is game over for the Belgian Ford plant. Only last year GM closed its plant in Antwerp... What's next? The Volvo plant in Gent? Automotive industry is not going good in Belgium nowadays... Those who thought the European crisis is about to be over are very wrong... We are only at the real beginning ladies and gentlemen. Dark times ahead...  ------------- - Gun control means: using BOTH hands! - Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle... |
Replies:
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: October-24-2012 at 11:37am
| Sorry to hear that, Kristof. How is Ford perceived and priced compared to European cars? It seems over here, the type of person that would by Euro would not buy Ford and visa versa, (excluding trucks). |
Posted By: Kristof
Date Posted: October-24-2012 at 12:12pm
|
Ford is in the top half when it comes to perception and price. The top segment over here is Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen-Audi. For these brands, the European market is also going downwards, but they can compensate that, because their top line models are still selling well in Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East. And off course we have the more exclusive segment: Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti, Porsche,... Who are sold to a class of people that do not feel the crisis quite so hard... ------------- - Gun control means: using BOTH hands! - Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle... |
Posted By: turningpoint84
Date Posted: October-24-2012 at 7:12pm
|
I feel like Europe is about 2 years behind where the US was. Things will turn around, if you can keep your job, i suggest putting away as much cash as you can. You will be able to capitalize on a lot of stuff selling for very cheap. Homes and cars especially. ------------- Proud 1968 mustang owner and now http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6454&sort=&pagenum1" rel="nofollow - 1970 Mustang |
Posted By: azeus17
Date Posted: October-24-2012 at 7:18pm
|
Kristof- Sad to hear. Being from Detroit, I know how many people this effects. The hard truth is that because the crisis in the EU is so bad less and less people are buying new cars. A billion dollar a year lose really hurts the relatively strong comeback the automakers have had in the US. At some point, it is cheaper to ship vehicles than to run a factory at 50% capacity. ------------- Boats: Current: 02 SANTE Sold: 89 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: must_dash
Date Posted: October-25-2012 at 1:18pm
|
They've just announced that they are closing the Transit van factory in Southampton, despite promises that the new model would be made there in 2014, production moving to Turkey and the stamping plant at Dagenham closes with loss of 2000 jobs. Does anybody remember Sabine Schmitz taking a standard Ford Transit round the Nuremberg ring rack track in 10:08 mins. ------------- 1986 Martinique - sold When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice. |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: October-31-2012 at 2:57am
|
wonder if my brother saw this? They closed the casting plant where Bill worked for 40 years. Tore it down..carted away all the steel and planted grass. There was also 2 engine plants on the property that are now closing. I was in on the crew that rehabbed one of the plants in the '90s doing cableing. Can't imagine how much money was spent there and its all over now. Thousands of jobs lost there and uncounted jobs in all the support businesses. john ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: AirTique98
Date Posted: October-31-2012 at 4:00am
|
I saw it...just another sad commentary on the state of American industrialization. Only the casting plant that was 60 years old has been torn down...the plant you were involved in [EP #2] has been gutted and made available for rent, lease, or reuse by whoever. The other engine plant is thriving and expanding as it is the only source of the Eco-Boost going in the F-150's. ------------- Bill http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5549 - 98Air Nautique Former Owner: 1990 Ski Nautique 1981 Ski Nautique 1976 Ski Nautique 1971 Ski Nautique |