EU CARMAKER CLOSURES 29/04: Ford announces phased EU restarts, UK sites still closed

United States-based car manufacturer Ford will restart production at various sites in Europe in a phased approach from May 4, the company said on Tuesday April 28.

Vehicle and engine production will restart at continental European sites following the implementation of health and safety precautions agreed with trade unions, which will include personal body-temperature checks and the use of facemasks.
Additionally, because of social distancing requirements, there has been a redesigning of work areas and a phased return to work will reduce employee density within buildings.
Manufacturing will resume on May 4 in a phased approach at these units:
- In Germany, the Saarlouis vehicle assembly operations and the Cologne assembly operations and engine plant
- In Spain, the Valencia vehicle assembly operations
- In Romania, the Craiova vehicle assembly operations and engine plant.
Production will restart at the Valencia engine plant on May 18.

The various European sites closed initially for a few weeks on March 19, while the UK sites closed on March 23, before the shutdowns were extended further. Ford had previously said that the suspension at...

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