Ford Europe shifts HQ to Germany

FORD, THE giant US car maker, yesterday disclosed it had moved its European headquarters to Germany from Britain but insisted it was still committed to the UK. "The headquarters move was actioned last year because Ford Europe has grown geographically to include many countries of the former Soviet Union," a spokesman said. "It's therefore easier to administer from a more central European location, such as Germany."

Ford will decide within six weeks whether to produce a new petrol engine at its Bridgend plant in South Wales or at rival Ford plants in Cologne and Valencia.