MADRID (Reuters) – Ford (NYSE:) is considering making a new sport utility vehicle (SUV) at its plant in Valencia, Spain, the company said on Thursday. “We are closely monitoring the evolution of European markets to identify opportunities to improve our current product offering,” the group said.
“Given the changes we see in the sector, we believe there is an opportunity to add a brand new multi-energy SUV to the European cycling plan, which will be produced in Valencia.” The group said this is still subject to a formal decision. Spanish newspaper Cinco Dias first reported that Ford was considering producing a new passenger car at its Almufasses plant in Valencia. “Great news for Valencia, Spain and for the workers of @FordSpain. The company’s decision to produce electric vehicles ensures the viability of the Almufasses plant for the coming years,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a message on The plant, which employs 4,800 people, only produces the Ford Kuga after other models were scaled back in recent years. The General Union of Workers (UGT) said on Cinco Dias on Thursday: “Almussafes will have a new vehicle and will maintain a sufficient workload.”
(This story has been corrected to say that Ford is considering building a new SUV in Valencia, not that it will, in the headline and paragraph 1)