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GER - Ford invests $644M in German plant that will make Focus

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Ford Motor Co. will invest 600 million euros ($644 million) in its Saarlouis Vehicle Assembly Operations in Germany, where the company will make its next-generation Focus.

The announcement comes two weeks after General Motors Co. agreed to sell its German brand, Opel, to French automaker PSA Group, a move that got GM out of its money-losing European business.

Ford’s German plant will receive updated production equipment, logistical support and energy-supply projects through the investment. The plant will also get new press systems that allows steel to be processed directly into car body parts, which supports a lightweight build.

The investment will add new energy-supply systems that will reduce the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent, according to Ford.

“This €600 million investment reconfirms Ford’s continuing commitment to Germany, our main centre of operations in Europe,” said Jim Farley, president and CEO, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa, in a news release. “Make no mistake, Germany is vital to Ford’s global business, not only today but ... also into the future,”

Ford employs 25,000 people in Germany.

Source: detroitnews.com

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