Ford manufacturing base ‘dependent on market’

Ford has said the size of its manufacturing base in Europe will be determined by how long the market remains subdued.

While Ford needs capacity in hand to tap any rebound, it has a history of “right-sizing” production and will evaluate the future of plants should that be necessary, said Stephen Odell, head of the US-based company’s European unit.

Industry-wide vehicle sales in Europe totalled 13.6m across 30 countries in 2011, lower than 2007’s pre-slump high of 19m and shy of a more “normal” figure of 17m that Mr Odell believes may not be reached for another five years.