Saarland expects Ford's decision next week

Created: 06/13/2022, 13:52

A Ford logo is on the signage.

© Gerry Broome/AP/dpa

The Saarland Economics Minister Jürgen Barke (SPD) is expecting a statement from the US car manufacturer Ford on the future of the production site in Saarlouis, Saarland.

"As far as I know, Ford could possibly announce the decision on June 22nd or 23rd," said Barke of the "Saarbrücker Zeitung" (Monday).

The focus is on the question of whether the plant on the Saar will be preserved - and whether production will continue in Saarland beyond 2025.

Saarbrücken - With 4,600 employees, Ford is one of the largest employers in Saarland.

In the production of a future electric car, Saarlouis is in competition with Ford in Valencia, Spain.

According to Barke, a management team appointed by Ford Europe boss Stuart Rowley will come to the Saar this week to negotiate with the state government about possible future production prospects in Saarlouis.

A total of four dates are planned, the minister told the newspaper.

A decision between Saarlouis and Valencia has not yet been made.

In mid-May, Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) and Barke traveled to the corporate headquarters in Dearborn (Detroit) to promote future prospects for the Ford location in Saarlouis.

Barke was convinced that at least since the on-site visit the Ford management had "rethinked".

"I think that top management has now recognized that the advantages of keeping Saarlouis outweigh the disadvantages," Barke said.

He is not allowed to say much about the content.

Only: "In close cooperation with the Federal Chancellery, the Federal Employment Agency and the individual departments of the state government, we have put together a thick package that contains everything that is legally possible."

This also goes to the “limits of what is economically affordable and politically justifiable.

In our opinion, Saarlouis is clearly in the lead in this process for the two locations".

If it turns out that Ford nevertheless decides to invest in Valencia, it will be "conclusive proof that the whole process was just a farce to justify a decision that was made," said the minister.

At the Ford appointments in Saarland, Barke wanted to talk about "that we get a real production perspective" at the location.

"For me, the production of a new car alone is not enough." Together with Ford, significantly more jobs can also be created in the company's environment.

He could "imagine an order of magnitude of 4,000 to 5,000," said Barke.

dpa