£1.5bn may protect Ford jobs (From Daily Echo)

£1.5bn may protect Ford jobs

12:12pm Friday 19th March 2010 in News By Simon Carr, Eastleigh Chief Reporter

A MASSIVE £1.5 billion investment could protect Ford jobs, claim bosses.

The motor giant is pumping cash into the future generation of green engines and new technology that will one-day be used in it’s Transit and Chassis Cabs currently being made in Southampton.

Bosses say this is good news for all Ford workers but refused to say what, if any, effect this would have on workers at the Swaythling operation.

Ford of Britain chairman, Joe Greenwell, said: “Ford welcomes this positive support from the Government.

It greatly assists in delivering Ford’s commitment to invest £1.5 billion in new, affordable, volume-produced low CO2 technologies. Our customers will benefit from this extensive investment and so too will the 100,000 people in the UK whose jobs are directly or indirectly dependent on Ford.

The loan also encourages the growth of high-technology, CO2-reducing research and development in the country.”

Unite union boss Ian Woodland said he was pleased with the news but would want to see firm commitments.

He said: “My initial opinion is this is good news, especially after a period of economic recession that has hit vehicle manufacturing, particularly Southampton, with the loss of 500 jobs.

“What I would like to see now is the details, how is this going to affect Southampton?”

The investment was yesterday backed by the Government who pledged to support it with massive loan guarantees.

A Ford worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “This sounds like great news, maybe the company will actually start replacing people when they leave and offering jobs for life again.