Ford’s 1Q European Production Stronger than Expected

According to Reuters, Ford has raised its first-quarter European production by about 5 percent (about 20,000 vehicles) after stronger-than-expected sales of some vehicles early this year, but it has left its full-year industrywide sales forecast intact, Ford of Europe Chief Executive John Fleming said. The auto company has seen some promising signs in larger European economies but remains wary about the impact of the expiration of government scrappage programs and the strength of some economies. The increase was mainly for smaller cars such as the Fiesta but also included some commercial vehicles.