American automaker Ford announced that it will halt production in its Romanian plant, in Craiova, for nine days in September. The company will reduce both the production of its Ford B-Max model but also the engine production due to volatility in the car market.

“The volatility in the European auto market, which is continuing its recovery following the economic crisis, but also the diversification on the B segment, impacted the sales of the B-Max model. In this context, Ford Romania continues to adapt its production volume in the Craiova factory and plans 9 days without production in the vehicle assembly section and 9 days without production in the engine section. We will continue to monitor the market and to adjust our volumes to the existing demand,” said Ana-Maria Timis, spokeswoman for Ford Romania, in a statement.

Ford produces the B-Max model in Craiova and its EcoBoost 1 liter and 1.5 liters petrol engines. The B-Max is produces only in Craiova and distributed only on the European market. In the first half of this year, sales of B-Max declined by 18% compared to the same period of last year, to 31,500 units. Its main competitors in the B class are Fiat 500L, Nissan Note and Citroen C3 Picasso.

The Ford factory in Craiova has had 30 days of halted production for the B-Max model this year. Last year, production of the model was halted for 35 days and engine assembly was halted for seven days, according to Digi 24 news station.

Ford Romania had a turnover of EUR 1.09 billion last year and a net profit of EUR 15.5 million.

editor@romania-insider.com