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Ford joint venture halts production in Russia

The company will dismiss about 700 workers

© EPA/ANATOLY MALTSEV

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ST. PETERSBURG, April 07. /ITAR-TASS/. Ford’s joint venture in northwest Russia's Leningrad region has suspended production for a week between April 7 and 15, a company representative told ITAR-TASS on Monday.

Ford Sollers, owned by Ford and Russian automotive company Sollers, will halt again between April 21 and June 8, after which it will operate one shift and dismiss about 700 workers.

These measures are taken “in view of serious changes in the economic situation in Russia, in particular the weakening of the ruble [and] a slowdown in consumer activity on the new car market...” the company official said.

Meanwhile, the plant will continue preparations for the launch of revamped Ford Focus and Ford Mondeo marques in 2015. The joint venture does not disclose the planned amount of production for the current year.

Ford Sollers produces, imports and sells Ford vehicles as well as spare parts and accessories for the Russian market. The Leningrad region plant produces 162,000 vehicles a year. Two Ford Sollers plants in the republic of Tatarstan produce 200,000 vehicles.

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