COLOGNE, July 31, 2008 – Ford of Europe is planning to establish a dedicated National Sales Company (NSC) organisation in Romania, which will take full responsibility for the marketing, sales and service of Ford vehicles there from August 2010.
The establishment of an NSC in Romania is the next logical step for the company following a steady increase in sales of Ford vehicles in recent years and the purchase of the Craiova vehicle manufacturing plant in the south-west of the country.
For the past 16 years, Romcar SRL has been the authorised importer of Ford vehicles and parts in Romania. Following today's announcement representatives from both companies will prepare a detailed transition plan to ensure that the changeover to the NSC is seamless for our customers.
The new Ford National Sales Company for Romania will be headed by Vladimir Vosicky and be based in Bucharest. Vladimir has worked for Ford since 1991 and prior to this appointment he was the Managing Director of Ford in the Czech Republic for seven years.
Romcar SRL will continue as the authorised importer of Ford vehicles and parts until July 31, 2010. Thereafter, all Ford authorised dealers in Romania will have a new agreement with Ford Motor Company.
"With Ford vehicle sales having grown by 38 per cent in the first half of 2008, and with vehicle production at our plant in Craiova ready to begin next year, this is an exciting time for Ford in Romania," said Peter Fleet, Director European Sales Operations, Ford of Europe.
"As the authorised Ford importer, Romcar has served Ford dealers and customers very well for the past 16 years and will continue to do so for the next two years. However, our plans to develop the Ford brand in Romania and meet the growing expectations of our Romanian customers will now be best served by a Ford National Sales Company from August 2010," he added.
Gabriel Bondarenco, General Manager Romcar SRL, commented: "During the past 16 years, Romcar worked to build Ford into one of the most successful and reliable car brands on the Romanian market. Together with Ford representatives, we are developing now a smooth transition in order to ensure the successful continuation of Ford’s activities in the benefit of our clients, our partners and employees.”
Editor's Notes: Ford of Europe is based in Cologne, Germany, and currently has 21 National Sales Companies. When it is formally constituted, Romania will be the 22nd. The number of National Sales Companies has increased from 15 at the time Ford of Europe was established in 1968. The last NSC formed was Ford of Russia in 2000.
