Ford has begun producing the all-new S-MAX, Galaxy and Mondeo Vignale at the Valencia plant in Spain, which is now building a total of six nameplates on a single assembly line.
The three new models add to existing production of Ford Mondeo, Kuga, Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect, with the Valencia plant on pace to build 400,000 units in 2015 – a 40 percent increase over last year. A new Ford vehicle is built every 80 seconds in Valencia, which Ford says is one of the world’s most advanced, flexible and productive auto plants.
Ford has invested €2.3 billion ($2.52 billion) in the facility, which exports 80 percent production to 75 countries worldwide, including the United States. In addition to the S-MAX, Galaxy and Mondeo Vignale, the plant builds the Mondeo wagon, five-door, and four-door (including the Mondeo Hybrid), Kuga sport-utility vehicle, Transit Connect light commercial vehicle and Tourneo Connect people-mover.
“Our Valencia operation has become truly state of the industry in terms of flexibility, productivity and the innovation in manufacturing quality,” said Barb Samardzich chief operating officer, Ford of Europe. “It’s incredible and virtually unprecedented to see a luxurious Ford Mondeo Vignale going down the same line with a Kuga SUV and Transit Connect commercial vehicle,” the executive added.
Able to produce more models and derivatives than any Ford facility in Europe, the plant will have the capacity to build up to 450,000 vehicles a year in the future.
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