Ford to Close or Sell Transmission Plant in France

Ford Motor Co. says it will shut down a transmission plant in Blanquefort, France, late next year unless it can find a buyer for the facility.

Reports say Punch Powerglide Strasbourg SAS, a French gearbox supplier, has been discussing a possible purchase.

The factory, located near Bordeaux, has been threatened with closure repeatedly for eight years. Ford sold the factory in 2009 to metal fabricator HZ Holding France SAS, which intended to convert it to make windmill parts. But those plans collapsed, and Ford bought back the plant in 2011.

In 2013, the facility received €13 in government aid to avert closure. At the time, Ford pledges to continue operations of making 5- and 6-speed automatic transmissions for five years. The factory currently employs 900 workers, who make gearboxes for BMW, General Motors, Tata Motors and several Chinese carmakers.