In October 2011, Ford of Russia felt a need to expand. Thus, a joint venture was created with manufacture Sollers and since then, Russian Fords have been being pumped out at rather rapid rate. Their main life line, the assembly plant located in St. Petersburg, hit a milestone recently as the 500,000 car rolled off their factory floor. Considering that the plant has only been in operation since 2002, this is a truly impressive feat especially in a difficult market such as Russia.
“Since the first Ford car came off the production line here in Vsevolozhsk in 2002, the Ford brand has undergone enormous change in Russia. Our sales volume has increased five-fold since 2002, and we at Ford Sollers are determined to build upon that success in the years ahead,” said Ted Cannis, President and CEO of Ford Sollers. The milestone car was a first in its own right as well. Bathed in Candy Red, it is Russia’s first all-new Focus Wagon: a 2.0 liter Titanium. “It’s great that the half-millionth Ford car to be built in Russia is the first all-new Ford Focus Wagon, the very latest model to our vehicle range.” In October 2007, the company produced their 200,000 car. In March of 2011, Ford Sollers hit the 400,000 mark meaning that production seems to be increasing exponentially. With the introduction of the new generation Focus model line introduced in July 2011, Russia could easily see more and more blue ovals very soon.
Source: Ford
