Ford closes three production plants along with general production in Brazil. Ccompany has announced the planoffered itself today and provided more details, while assuring those in the South American market that, despite the closures, it remains dedicated to the region.
Two of Brazil’s blue oval production lines will be closed immediate. The Camaçari and Taubaté plants will end production, while the Troller plant in Horizonte, in the Brazilian state of Ceará, will cease production in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Ford promises to continue to serve the South American car market in Argentina and Uruguay, where it assembles of some models will continue. Ford Ranger is one such model; is produced in Argentina.
Press reports quote FordCEO Jim Farley, who said:
“With more than a century in South America and Brazil, we know that these are very difficult actions, but necessary to create a healthy and sustainable business. We are moving towards an agile business model with a lighter structure in Brazil and providing these customers with some of the best and most interesting cars in our global portfolio. We are also in a hurry to offer our customers the benefits of connectivity, electrification and autonomous technologies to effectively meet the need for environmentally friendly and durable cars.
G / O Media may receive a commission
Ford continues to emphasize this the only thing that closes in Brazil is production. But for the South American country is a solemn announcement to understand, as the closure will affect many of the country’s workers. Ford says it is coordinating with affected parties to improve the news.
And it’s not the first time a Brazilian Ford factory has closed. Recall that the car manufacturer closed Sao Bernardo do Campo factory last year. The notable difference here is that car production ceases throughout the country.
The report also cites Lyle Watters, president of Ford of South America and the International Markets group:
In addition to reducing costs in all commercial aspects, we oversaw the launch of Ranger Storm, Territory and Kuga, as well as the introduction of innovative services for our customers. Although these efforts have had positive results in the last quarters of the fiscal year, the continuing unfavorable economic conditions and the additional burden of the pandemic have made it clear that this is necessary to create a sustainable and sustainable future.
So, although Farley was not explicit, Watters noticed the effect the pandemic had on the company. However, the Ford center of product ddevelopment in Bahía and the test plots in Tatuí, São Paulo, it will remain open. And Ford’s regional headquarters will remain open.
The two factories whose production ends today will remain in operation only to produce parts needed to consolidate spare parts stocks in the country. But vehicle production stops in factories and when dealers in the country ran out EcoSport, Ka, and Troller T4 models, their sales will be completed.
These three models face an uncertain future now and among I will mourn Ka the most, although Troller T4 is a close second. We have contacted Ford and we will provide all the updates that the car manufacturer offers.
UPDATE [Monday, January 11, 2021, 06:05 PM CT]
A Ford Motor Company spokesman responded to our investigation into the plant’s closure, saying:
We will meet the needs of South American customers, including Brazil, with a range of modern and connected SUVs, pick-ups and commercial vehicles from Argentina, Uruguay and other regions. In addition to the recent announcements Transit, New-Gen Ranger, Mach-1 Mustang, Bronco, we will introduce several new vehicles, including new ones and a plug-in. This includes expanding connected services and introducing new automated and electrified technologies to markets.
As I said today, production will stop immediately at Camaçari and Taubaté, with parts production continuing for several months to support stocks for aftermarket sales. The Horizon Troller plant will continue to operate until the fourth quarter of 2021. As a result, the company will close sales of EcoSport, Ka and T4 with the sale of stocks. Production operations in Argentina and Uruguay and sales companies in other SA markets are not affected.
In Argentina, manufacturing operations will not be affected, and the investment plan for the production of the next generation Ranger continues as planned. Ka sales will continue until stocks run out and EcoSport sales will continue to come from an alternative region for Consortio customers.