Car maker Ford will start production of a new car in its factory in Romania next year. It will be a small-size car which is not yet in Ford's portfolio, according to John Fleming, head of global manufacturing and labor affairs (in picture). 150,000 units of the new car will be produced each year, according to Fleming. Production should start towards September next year.

The company is supposed to increase production in its Craiova factory, as included in the privatization contract. It should deliver up to 250,000 units by the end of 2011. Ford is also planning to produce a hi-tech engine which would allow a fuel saving of 20 percent, Fleming has also said.

John Fleming met Romanian president Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Emil Boc yesterday. Fleming said the Ford projects for the Romanian factory, all hi-tech, will help Romania, as a high volume of these future products will be exported. The Craiova factory will start to hire more staff next year, hoping to double the number of staff in the following years, from the current 3,500 people.