Ford to Slash B-Max Output in Romania by 50%

Ford Motor Co. says it will eliminate one of the two shifts at its plant in Craiova, Romania, because of slow demand for the newly launched B-Max mini MPV made there.

The action will reduce the factory's annual output to about 30,000 vehicles, according to Bucharest-based newspaper Ziarul Financiar.

Ford has said the facility would have capacity to make 300,000 units per year. The company says it will increase line speed for the remaining shift in early 2013.

Ford says no jobs will be cut. The affected workers will move to the company's adjacent engine plant, which is adding a second shift. The company attributes the increase at that facility to strong demand for its 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. The factory also is due to add production of a new 1.5-liter engine early next year.

Ford tells Reuters it also is in talks with its Romanian unions about making limited buyout offers.