The American car manufacturer Ford Motor wants to close its engine plant in Bridgend in the UK at the end of next year. The automaker confirmed earlier reports about an impending closure of the location. Ford starts a first consultation round. Trade unions announced earlier that they would oppose the measure with all their might.
Around 1,700 people work at the factory in Wales, which supplies gasoline engines to locations elsewhere in Europe. There have been concerns for some time about the continued existence of the production site, partly because a supply contract with Jaguar Land Rover will expire in 2020.
In addition, it is still uncertain whether the British will retain free access to the European market after the Brexit. If barriers are raised between the United Kingdom and the European Union, this will result in higher costs for Ford’s distribution chains, the group has already warned.
Ford has been cutting its activities in Europe for some time, where the company suffered losses last year. The company promised that it will remain active in the United Kingdom. Ford also owns an engine factory in Dagenham.