The third model Ford will build in Romania, in the Craiova production facility, will be a medium class commercial vehicle, scheduled for launching in 2011 or 2012, said CEO for Ford Europe. Until then, Ford will start producing Transit Connect in 2009 and a small class street car, other than Fiesta, in 2010.

Representatives of some 40 companies producing parts for Ford arrived in Craiova on Wednesday, where the development strategy the American group prepared for Romania was first introduced.

Ford became the majority shareholder at Automobile Craiova in March 2008. The factory joins other 7 assembly facilities and 13 engine production plants the group owns in Europe.

In 2008, Ford sold 21,700 units in Romania, out of which some 4,400 were commercial vehicles.