The president of the automotive and mobility cluster of the Valencian Community (AVIA), Francisco Segura, wanted to be optimistic yesterday about the next arrival of electric models from Ford, but he did not hide the concern that the sector breathes by expressing that “we hope that Ford’s announcement will be made as soon as possible.” Segura participated in the inauguration of the Mobility Innovation Valencia, which is held until today within the framework of the Valencia Digital Summit.
He acknowledged that the delay in assigning vehicles “is causing problems, especially in terms of employment, vision, perspective and seeing what the production planning is going to be,” but he flatly rejected “generating alarm” about the effects that The auxiliary industry is experiencing the latest downturns and production stops.
In the same optimistic tone, Segura advocated thinking positively and acknowledged that he hopes that “the production capacities dictated by Ford at the moment, which have been declining due to the disappearance of models, continue on a constant line to be able to maintain a minimum employment and a minimum volume of business in Valencia”.
For Segura, for now “important obstacles” have already been overcome, such as the closure of a plant in Europe, which did not fall on Almussafes but on Saarlouis, and the important thing is “that we already have a PowerCo gigafactory that will create employment and that will greatly boost the industry of the Valencian Community,” said the businessman in statements to the media. The sector’s commitment to electrification is evident from the moment the cluster adopted the word “mobility” in its name. , also taking into account the new reality to which the industry is exposed.
But while the Valencian auxiliary industry wants to remain calm while waiting, Ford’s staff shows less patience. Thus, the UGT-PV union, the majority in the plant and with responsibilities in the works council, meets this Friday with Ford’s global manufacturing director, Kumar Galhotra; with the director of the Ford Pro division, Ted Cannis; and with the vice president of Ford Europe, Kieran Cahill, visiting the Almussafes factory.
They will be asked to comply with the Agreement for Electrification, in a climate of nervousness, since they point out that “time is ticking, and the workload in the factory is decreasing, with no hint of a solution, except to continue thinning the workforce by proposing more layoffs.” “.
In the same tone, the union points out that Ford’s “inaction, as a consequence of its indecision, cannot be perpetuated over time” and points out that it is “essential” to make decisions and react as soon as possible so as not to miss the train of the future of the new mobility.
UGT-PV foresees a new “surplus of personnel” and, given the situation, assures that Ford management “will not be able to attempt to negotiate a new ERTE without giving explanations and reaffirming its commitment to the UGT and the Valencia staff.” They talk about doubts and a situation “as unforeseen as it is undeserved.” As we said, tense wait.
