INTERVIEW: Ford Europe wants to brave weak market with new models

By Harald Schmidt Jan 11, 2012, 10:53 GMT

Detroit - Ford of Europe wants to defy tough market conditions created by the eurozone crisis. The carmaker plans to introduce a series of new models in Europe this year, German Ford head Bernhard Mattes told the German Press Agency dpa.

The models will include a new Mondeo, an electric Focus, a new Transit and the next generation of Cougars, Mattes said in an interview at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

'We are optimistic that this series of impulses will give us a strong competitive position despite the difficult market climate,' Mattes said.

The German Ford chief declined to make concrete sale projections. However, he predicted that the overall European auto market will remain weak this year.

The number of cars sold in 2012 will likely drop to 14-15 million units, from 15.2 million in 2011, he noted.

The European debt crisis is a serious issue, Mattes said, adding he had no doubts that politicians will be able to solve current problems.

'But it has to happen quickly, so that stability can be brought back into the European economy,' Mattes said.

Ford increased its German market share by 0.5 percentage points to 7.3 per cent in 2011, selling 16.5 per cent more cars - around 231,000 units - than in the previous year.

'That makes us the fastest-growing large brand in Germany,' Mattes said.

In Europe overall, Ford has conquered a solid share of the market with 8.3 per cent, putting it in second place, he noted.

Mattes said he was generally pleased with sales growth, considering that Ford is particularly strong in countries that have been hit hard by the crisis, including Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Ford hired 700 new workers in Germany in recent months, leaving the subsidiary well positioned, Mattes said.

Factories are working at practically full capacity, and no further adjustments are needed, he added.