Ford to start production in Craiova by end-2008

The statement was made at last week's signing of the contract at the International Auto Show in Frankfurt (IAA). The signing came a few days after AVAS opened Ford's final financial offer: EUR 57 million, up from EUR 55 million in the previous offer.
“We established from the beginning of this process that we wanted a business to develop the industrial area in Craiova. The fact is that the car maker from Craiova was dying; that is why we wanted to bring a strategic investor here,” said Theodor Atanasiu, president of AVAS. Present at the contract signing in Frankfurt, PM Calin Popescu-Tariceanu said, “The acquisition of Automobile Craiova by Ford will put Romania top of the list of car makers in South East Europe, which will attract more spare parts suppliers to Romania.”
PM Tariceanu cited as one more plus of this privatization the tougher competition between Renault and Ford, which would boost the local car market. Renault had already made the first step, launching at IAA the Sandero model, a hatchback, the fifth version built on the Logan platform besides the sedan, break (MCV), van and the recent pick-up. According to Renault, the new model will be available in Romania for approximately EUR 6,000.

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