“PB” has managed to find details concerning the investment planned by Ford concerning production of new Ford K model in Tychy. The company has just received the final offer from the Polish government.
“We offer EUR 5m of subsidy. Ford alone will invest PLN 367.5m (EUR 94m) in equipment. Additionally, Ford and Fiat will invest in equipment they will share. Fiat alone will also have some costs. It’s hard to evaluate the value of the whole project”, Wojciech Szelagowski, deputy CEO of the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIIZ) said.
“PB” informed about the investment in January. According to the data from the then deputy Minister of Economy Andrzej Kaczmarek, the whole project was worth PLN 820m and was supposed to create 1,000 new jobs. But it’s Fiat who employs, and not Ford. In May, Fiat said that its plant in Tychy will increase employment by over 1,000 people.
It’s not typical but the government agrees to give cash to a company which creates no new jobs itself.
“We are flexible here. Ford ensures employment indirectly – by pledging a certain capacity and growing level of deliveries from Poland”, PAIIZ deputy CEO said.
According to “PB” earlier data, Ford was supposed to produce the same level as Fiat, i.e. 120,000-125,000 cars annually.
Ford hasn’t made final decision yet. Fiat’s announcement in May connected with employment increase, however, suggests that the case has been decided upon already.
“As usually, there is international competition. We hope that the potential of the Polish car sector will be evaluated positively. I expect final decision in several weeks”, Wojciech Szelagowski said.
According to earlier data, Ford wanted to launch production in Tychy in the middle of 2008.