The construction of the plant started in 1966 on a former airfield. On 16 September 1966, the foundation stone was laid. In 1968, the production of car body panels for Renault started.
The plant commenced car production on 16 January 1970, and was formally opened in the presence of Henry Ford II six months later in June 1970. It was designed to co-produce with Ford’s Halewood plant the company’s recently introduced Escort model, itself intended to compete head-on with Opel’s successful Kadett in the various markets of continental Europe.
At the time the plant was opened, the UK, where the Escort had been produced since the end of 1967, was not part of the European Economic Community and it was not clear whether or when it would join.
In June 2019, Ford announced it would reduce the number of shifts at Saarlouis in an effort to cut costs, as part of a Europe-wide restructuring plan that includes closing several assembly plants in the continent.[1]
In June 2022, Ford announced it will produce its future electric models at Ford Valencia Body and Assembly, leaving the future of the Saarlouis plant past 2025 uncertain.[2][3] Ford later said it would keep the plant open through 2032 if it hadn't been sold by the end of Focus production, suggesting a potential sale to another manufacturer.[4] In June 2023, Ford announced it had found a major investor to keep the plant open,[5] but that prospect fell through.[6] In March 2024, the plant was closed due to a strike by workers at several supplier facilities.[7][8]
The plant produced its 5,000,000th vehicle in 1990 and the 10,000,000th on 1 July 2005.
Gallery
Escort MkI
Escort MkII
Escort MkIII
Escort MkIV
Escort MkV
Escort MkVI
Capri MkI
Fiesta MkI
Orion MkI
Orion MkII
Focus MkI
Focus MkII
Focus MkIII
Focus MkIV
Kuga MkI
C-Max MkI
C-Max MkII
Employment
Employee numbers reflecting both the changing fortunes of the small family cars produced there and the increasing automation of car production in Europe have evolved as follows:
Year
Employees
1971
5,600
1978
8,100
1996
5,600
1999
6,500
2002
7,200
2005
6,800
2015
6,199
In 2005 the plant employed 6,800 workers, organised into three teams. The plant is the largest employer in the Saarland. 79% of the employees were from Germany and 11% from France which is approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) away to the south. There were also significant numbers from Italy and Turkey. 7% of the workforce were female.
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