Reason for low Mondeo Sales: Genk has been shut since 24 Octoberas protest contin

[jpd80]

BERLIN (Bloomberg) -- Ford Motor Co.'s production at its factory in Genk, Belgium, remained halted as protests over plans to shut the site next year showed no sign of letup after three months of disruption.

An agreement between Ford and unions approved by workers a week ago failed to result in a resumption of auto assembly after protesters blocked an adjacent supplier area, cutting off the flow of parts, said Ford of Europe spokesman Adrian Schmitz.

"We have an agreement with unions and are determined to implement that agreement to restart work at Genk," Schmitz said.

With the factory closed, Ford is seeking to meet vehicle demand from existing stocks, he said.

Ford hasn't shipped a vehicle from Genk since saying Oct. 24 that the plant will shut for good in 2014, Mark Truby, another Ford of Europe spokesman, said.

Worker walkouts compounded the effects of scheduled suspensions in carmaking because of a shrinking European market, Schmitz said. The permanent shutdown of the Genk plant is part of an effort to end losses in Europe that may exceed $1.5 billion a year in 2012 and 2013.

Ford also plans to shut a van plant in Southampton, England, this year along with a stamping facility in Dagenham, on the outskirts of London. The measures will lead to the loss of 6,200 jobs, or 13 percent of Ford's workforce in Europe.

Extra money

The agreement with Genk labor leaders was slated to allow Ford to restart production Jan. 9 and ramp up output to 1,000 vehicles a day at the factory, which builds the Mondeo mid-sized sedan and the S-Max and Galaxy minivans, according to unions.

The accord outlines extra money paid to workers in exchange for Ford building and shipping vehicles, Truby said. Ford is in separate talks with unions about terms for shuttering the site.

About 100 people, including employees of Ford suppliers, gathered outside the town hall in Genk on Thursday, preventing three regional union leaders from leaving for several hours, a spokeswoman for the city's police said.

The officials were there for meetings with representatives of four Ford suppliers. The mayor of Genk intervened and defused the situation without police action. No threats were made, the spokeswoman said.

from Autonews, subscription required....: http://www.autonews.com/article/2013...#ixzz2IN28ZcAh

Ford Australia cannot get any stock, Genk is still shut and doesn't look like opening any time soon...

[LightningStrike]

Yep, seems consistent. Mother in law ordered a white zetec diesel wagon in November for January delivery, was told last week it hadn't been made or shipped yet, new delivery estimate end of March........

Or could end up being a VE if this crap keeps up.

I tried to get my mum a Focus Titanium last year, three month wait, so she ended up with a Mazda 3 SP25. Many people on leases that keep a car for two years aren't willing to stomach delays that amount to 10-15% of the projected time of ownership. Not good enough.......

[Smoke Pursuit]

Why not chase up a wagon in stock somewhere? Theres a few around....

[Joe5619]

They haven't shipped a car in over 2 (nearly 3) months? These works & union need a kicking. 3 months of not working & doing nothing is beyond a joke!!

Where is the post 2014 Mondeo coming from again? Ford Australia should swap plants now..

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

They haven't shipped a car in over 2 (nearly 3) months? These works & union need a kicking. 3 months of not working & doing nothing is beyond a joke!!

Where is the post 2014 Mondeo coming from again? Ford Australia should swap plants now..

Spain ???

[LightningStrike]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Why not chase up a wagon in stock somewhere? Theres a few around....

G'day Dash, would do, but it's a small fleet order for for reps who must all drive the same - exactly the same - cars. I'm hoping the end of march date can be met

(couldn't talk fleet manager into the extra coin for the Territory. However, if delays continue, maybe.....

[LightningStrike]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Why not chase up a wagon in stock somewhere? Theres a few around....

G'day Dash, would do, but it's a small fleet order for for reps who must all drive the same - exactly the same - cars. I'm hoping the end of march date can be met

(couldn't talk fleet manager into the extra coin for the Territory. However, if delays continue, maybe.....

[Bossxr8]

I thought Mondeo sales were ok last month? Over 500 sold I think which is about normal?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I thought Mondeo sales were ok last month? Over 500 sold I think which is about normal?

511,

I cry wondering just how many sales would be possible with current advertising push, right priced local Mondeo
with lets say, the better 2.5 I-4 with similar economy to new Camry, or the 1.6 Ecoboost with about 7.2 l/100 km