Ford Boosts UK Production Thanks to High Scrappage Demand

We already told you that Ford is one of the companies that benefited the most from the European scrappage schemes so it appears that the US automaker is trying to cope with the increasing demand by ramping up production at several plants across the continent. Today it's UK's turn as Ford has just announced that it will boost UK engine production at Dagenham and Bridgend plants, after August demand grew significantly.

Specifically, Ford Dagenham added three extra weekend assembly shifts to boost 1.4 and 1.6 Duratorq diesel engine supply, while Ford Bridgend introduced new shifts to manufacture the required number of 1.25, 1.4 and 1.6-litre Duratec petrol engines. The two plants are currently employing a total of 4,000 engine production workers. Their August production volumes were up by 36.5 and 18.3 per cent year-on-year respectively, Ford said.

"Ford showrooms are enjoying the sales rush triggered by a new registration plate, limited remaining scrappage subsidies and growing awareness of January's VAT increase. I'm delighted that Ford plants are feeling the benefits too," Nigel Sharp, Ford Britain managing director, said.

Thanks to European scrappage programmes, production at the two aforementioned plants was increased in August too, with figures pointing to 22,000 Duratec units for Bridgend (compared with 18,600 in 2008) and 19,000 Duratorq engines for Dagenham (up from 13,920 in the same month of the previous year).

Obviously, small and compact cars are the best selling models for the US-based carmakers, with Ka, Fiesta and Focus boosting sales by approximately 25 percent last month.