Ford's European Restructuring Plan Leads to the Closure of Two UK Facilities, Mondeo Delayed

After announcing plans to shut down its Genk factory in Belgium at the end of 2014, Ford came out today with new details about its European restructuring efforts that include the closure of two more plants, the allocation of production, the loss of up to 6,200 jobs and other actions to increase cost efficiencies.

The announcements come against the backdrop of the persisting economic crisis in Europe with Ford estimating its loses in the region for the full year 2012 to exceed $1.5 billion (€1.15 billion).

The two additional factories receiving the axe are the Southampton Transit van plant, which is Ford's last vehicle-making facility in the United Kingdom, and its stamping and tooling operations in Dagenham, again in England.

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Ford to Shut Down its Genk Plant in Belgium, Reshuffle European Production Operations

On account of reduced demand and uncertain market prospects throughout Europe, Ford has decided to close down its underutilized Genk Plant in Belgium and to cease vehicle production by the end of 2014, which will lead to the loss of 4,300 jobs.

Ford, which is estimated to burn through more than $1billion this year in Europe, said that the move is part of a broader plan to restructure its local operations and help to address overcapacity issues curtailing from a more than 20 percent drop in total industry vehicle demand in Western Europe since 2007.

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Homologation and Other Problems Delay New Ford Mondeo Production Start in Europe

When Ford premiered the all-new 2013 Fusion sedan at the Detroit Motor Show this past January, the Blue Oval also released two images of the car's European sibling, the next Mondeo in pre-production form.

At the time, Ford told us that the new Mondeo would go on sale across Europe at the end of the first quarter of 2013. But that won’t be happening as Ford has postponed the production start at its Genk plant in Belgium for up to three months, according to a report from Autonews Europe.

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Superchips' Reflash Adds up to 34bhp to Ford's 1.6-liter EcoBoost Engine Models

A new remap of the engine control unit (ECU) of Ford's European market 1.6-liter EcoBoost petrol engine by British tuner Superchips promises to lift output from 20hp to 34hp, depending on the application.

Superchips' upgraded ECU can be used on the 1.6-liter turbocharged unit found on the C-MAX, Grand C-MAX, Focus, Galaxy MPV, S-MAX and Mondeo models covering the 150PS (148bhp,) 160PS (158 bhp) and 182PS (180bhp) variants of the range.

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Spy Shots: Ford Engineers Spotted Testing Galaxy MPV Mule

The third-generation of the Ford Galaxy minivan together with its shorter and lower sibling, the S-Max, have been with us (or so to speak) since 2006 having received a mid-life makeover that introduced a new snout and turbocharged four-cylinder petrol mills at the end of 2009.

All the previous iterations of the Galaxy (the seven-seater S-Max is a new addition to the range) were offered in Europe for a period of six years or less before being replaced by a new model, which means that the time for Ford to present a successor is almost here.

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Chipped Ford 2.0-liter EcoBoost Gains 40 More Ponies

As Ford gradually spreads out its new 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine to more models across its international lineup, tuners are jumping in to offer their performance goods. And the easiest way to do this of course is by reprogramming the car’s engine controller. Superchips Ltd has developed a new firmware upgrade for the European version of the four-cylinder EcoBoost currently found on the refreshed S-Max and Galaxy minivans, as well as the Mondeo. Read more »

Ford Announces Powertrain Enhancements for its European Lineup, Adds Stop/Start Technology

At this week's 2011 Brussels Motor Show in Belgium, Ford announced a series of powertrain enhancements that include the addition of Stop/Start technology for its European market Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy models, together with the introduction of an all-new 1.6-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel engine.

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Ford Expands European Availability of 160HP 1.6L Turbo to S-Max and Galaxy MPVs

After the Mondeo, the revised S-Max and Galaxy MPV models are next in line to be offered with Ford's new 1.6-litre 160hp EcoBoost engine with European sales starting this month. The new 1.6-litre turbocharged unit is the smallest displacement engine that has ever been made available to the S-MAX and Galaxy models.

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2010 Ford Galaxy MPV Facelift gets New 2.0-Liter EcoBoost Turbo Petrol with 203HP

This is the subtly facelifted Ford Galaxy MPV that will be making its world debut at the 2010 Brussels Show on January 13. Aside from some minor cosmetic and equipment upgrades, the revised seven-seater minivan marks the debut of Ford's all-new, high efficiency, 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine while the company also tweaked the 2.0-liter turbo diesel units.

The new 2.0-liter EcoBoost STCi petrol with turbocharging and direct injection churns out 203HP at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 300Nm or 221 lb-ft, which is delivered across a broad 1,750-4,500 rpm range.

Linked to a standard dual-clutch transmission, the 2.0-liter unit propels the Galaxy MPV to 100km/h (62mph) from standstill in 8.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 217 km/h or 135mph.

The 2010 Galaxy will also be available with an upgraded 2.0-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel engine in 115, 140 and 163HP variants that come equipped with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox and optionally, with Ford's Powershift dual-clutch transmission.

On the outside, the new Galaxy features a subtly redesigned snout with a more sculpted bonnet, revised lower and upper grilles along with new silver roof rails and LED tail lights.

The refined climate control and the introduction of a Blind Spot Information System, a new Adjustable Speed Limiter Device (ASLD), a keyless system and Ford's EasyFuel capless refuelling system complete the changes.

The new Galaxy will go on sale in Europe in early 2010.