Ford Union

The Ford Union (White Russian: Форд - Юніён ) is a former joint venture of Ford Motor Company, the Belarusian Lada importer Lada - OMC and the Government of Belarus. A sum of $ 10 million were applied to a total construction of the plant. Thus, it was the most expensive Ford plant in Europe. The experts, however, construction of the plant from the outset was is controversial, so they ultimately even the President Alyaksandr Lukashenka Ryhorawitsch forced on 23 July 1997 at a press conference with five strategically selected foreign journalists. These disputes made ​​the event even ultimately to an event of national importance. The CEO of the company was Alan Batty.

History

The work

Opened in 1997, working in Obchuk, near the state capital, Minsk was designed for CKD assembly of the vehicle parts which came from Polish, Hungarian and Czech production plants. Should be supplied the markets of the Russian Federation and the CIS countries.

State benefits

In order to keep production low, a further contract was also agreed with the Belarusian government, guaranteed for five years, a reduction in tariffs, consumption tax and VAT. In the end of this, Ford wanted then even up to 70 % of the company involved.

The failure

After almost three years of production the former fears of the economic experts were true. The production reached in 1999 just 440 cars, with a possible annual capacity of 6000 units. Due to the low demand saw a one that the demand on the target market is too small and a change in the situation was not expected. In July 2000 the assembly was stopped after exactly three years and closed the factory.

Subsequently, the work was led by automotive supplier Fenox Lada, which was replaced by Unison in 2003.

Model Overview

Ford Escort 1997-2000

Ford Escort Courier Ford Escort Van ( GB) Ford Express ( Russia) 1997-2000

  • The units of the assembly of the Ford EU can be seen in the vehicle's identification number by the manufacturer code in a Y4F and R at the eleventh position.

Participation

  • Ford Motor Company: 51%
  • Republic of Belarus: 26%
  • Lada - OMC: 23%
News conference Vehicle identification number
342299
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