Rustam Minnikhanov opens FordSollers in SEZ “Alabuga”

On September 3, Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov took part in official opening of Russia’s first Ford engine plant FordSollers in Specialized Economic Zone “Alabuga” (Yelabuga, Tatarstan). Before the official opening, Rustam Minnikhanov looked around the plant.

While earlier, all engines for foreign cars were imported from abroad, now FordSollers Alabuga will produce engines for Ford plants in Russia. 1,6 Ti-VCT Sigma for Ford Focus, EcoSport, and Fiesta will be the first engine produced in Alabuga.

At the first stage the plant will produce 105, 000 engines per year. The amount of investments in the new plant made 275 mln dollars.

According to FordSollers first vice-president Adil Shirinov, 95 per cent of the plant workers are from Naberezhnye Chelny and Yelabuga. Many of them passed training at Ford plants abroad.

Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Aleksandr Morozov, who took part in the ceremony, said that this event shows the investment attractiveness of Tatarstan as well as the result of joint work of investors and Russian and Tatarstan leadership.

FordSollers President Mark Ovenden thanked Rustam Minnikhanov and Aleksandr Morozov for supporting the project.

“The world-class engines will be produced at the world-class plant in the heart of Russia, and Russian components and materials will be used there. Russian automotive industry is experiencing tough times, but we are sure that our project will be successful with the support of Russian and Tatarstan leadership,” Mark Ovenden said.