“For the time being we have not had a direct discussion with Ford Craiova on the delivery of components. We have only talked to the headquarters of major companies. We are already working with Dacia, for instance, on areas such as the electronic engine management system,” said Christian von Albrichsfeld.
So far, nearly 25 component manufacturers made investments close to the Craiova (southern Romania) plant of Ford. They include Cooper Standard, Yakazi Romania, Johnson Controls and IAC Group.
Continental has already started expansion plans in Romania, which include investments of EUR40 million and 300 new employees at the tire plant in Timisoara (western Romania), which will employ 1,900.
The Continental group has been present on the Romanian market for the past 11 years and has eight production facilities and three research and development centers in Timisoara, Sibiu (central Romania), Carei (northern Romania), Arad (western Romania), and Iasi (north-eastern Romania).
The group also has a tire distribution center for Eastern Europe in Sacalaz (Timis county, western Romania), owns a metallic cord production unit together with Pirelli in Slatina (southern Romania), and is set to open a fuel pump factory in Brasov (central Romania).
(English version by Daniela Stoican)