On Friday, the Flemish government decided to reserve a sum of 58 million euros to support Ford Genk. The money represents a contribution towards the investment of almost 1 billion euros that Ford itself will make over the next four years in both the assembly plant in Genk and the test centre at Lommel. This amount may even rise by one quarter.

The government support was promised late last year when the Belgian and European Ford executives met Kris Peeters to negotiate the futures contract. In it, Ford commits itself to keep the Genk plant open until at least 2020, for the production of three models. It is an economically strong promise, for which Mr Peeters is gladly willing to spend 58 million euros. The support should also help in making the site in Genk CO2-neutral, and to prepare for the production of hybrid and electric cars.

Ford Genk is satisfied
“The 58 million euros from the Flemish government grants represents the maximum amount if we also fully implement the investments as agreed"explained Jo Hobbs, a spokesperson for Ford Genk. “Therefore, from this moment onwards we will very concretely give substance to the various steps of our highly extensive investment programme. Each day, we learn new details, so ultimately we will hopefully be entitled to the maximum subsidy that was set aside" stated the spokesperson. “Now that everything has been neatly put down on paper, and the resources from that side have been assured, we can go to work with peace of mind.”

Bron: Made In Limburg