Ford Brigend Plant Closing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-48533790

Devastating loss for S Wales, my cousin has just got married and is now facing loss of job, he's now looking elsewhere, for all the others facing redundancy, sad times ahead

The 2 engines that they build in Bridgend are no longer in demand it seems. Honda had the same issue.

Electric cars are going to become more and more prevalent it seems, so the auto industry maybe in for a lot of changes over the next decade - and that probably means jobs as well

Been confirmed it will close in Sept 2020.

They're closing places in France too

ford havnt investment like Nissan in electric hybrids

It's gonna happen globally. As more and more manufacturers swap to electric cars the one thing electric cars don't need is engines.

It’s always been on the cards. They get paid a lot of money there for what’s basically an assembly line. There’s only so long you can milk a cow.

See there’s lots of talk blaming brexit. It’s bullshit let’s face it Ford Motor Company is a massive global American owned company. Being in the EU won’t have any affect most of the cars aren’t even imported from the EU there built in other countries.

There’s a screen shot as well just for Wez and whoever else falls for bullshit rumours.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Exactly. That's almost half of their models which will require zero engine. That's why it's going to happen globally. I read up a lot about electric cars as I have one ... A Nissan leaf. It's part of the reason the old car manufacturers are dragging their heels so much about electric cars. For them it will require massive changes to their supply and manufacturing chains.

They have perfected making and servicing cheap engines to sell cars cheaply and have service plans.

Now the new cars don't need engines and need less services. So they need to get rid of lots of staff at engine plants. Get rid of engine plants. Lose money on service packages. It's no wonder the car makers have dug their heels in. And it's why new manufacturers like Tesla don't have the same battles as they have never needed to make an engine in the first place.

Batteries however is where the issues are. Not enough people making them and still some questionable practices obtaining the raw materials

They can be recycled and repurposed for home and grid storage after car use but still isn't enough of them. They also require precise laboratory level cleanliness and processing so repurposing an engine plant won't cut it.

Ford etc are trying to wring the last drops of life out of the internal combustion engine before they HAVE to change. This is just part of a long term strategy.

Very bad for local work and business but our first minister doesn't appear to care much about that based on the last few days evidence. If he truly wants us at the forefront of tech we should be investing in developing battery and hydrogen technology so companies can locate their electric car powerchain work here. .. oh and open up a relief road on the m4 to assist in easier access

The UK is pushing hard for reductions in CO2 and electrification of the motor industry. Extinction Rebellion want the government to go further. Mexico has taken a backward step on reducing CO2 (see the first paragraph of the overview of the link below). Is it any wonder that the production of the Dragon Petrol Engine is to be moved to Mexico, with greater pollution than in the UK even at the current levels. The more the left pushes for greater reductions in CO2, the more jobs lost in the UK, with greater pollution in the countries filling the void.
https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/mexico/

The UK is pushing hard for reductions in CO2 and electrification of the motor industry. Extinction Rebellion want the government to go further. Mexico has taken a backward step on reducing CO2 (see the first paragraph of the overview of the link below). Is it any wonder that the production of the Dragon Petrol Engine is to be moved to Mexico, with greater pollution than in the UK even at the current levels. The more the left pushes for greater reductions in CO2, the more jobs lost in the UK, with greater pollution in the countries filling the void.
https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/mexico/

Heard other people putting forward the same argument. We may end up being leaders in pollution reduction here in the UK, but another matter as to how much that would alter global pollution. If our manufacturing industries are moved to countries who are only paying lip service to pollution, our air may become slightly less polluted here, because everyone will be out of work and unable to afford a car.

Exactly. That's almost half of their models which will require zero engine. That's why it's going to happen globally. I read up a lot about electric cars as I have one ... A Nissan leaf. It's part of the reason the old car manufacturers are dragging their heels so much about electric cars. For them it will require massive changes to their supply and manufacturing chains.

They have perfected making and servicing cheap engines to sell cars cheaply and have service plans.

Now the new cars don't need engines and need less services. So they need to get rid of lots of staff at engine plants. Get rid of engine plants. Lose money on service packages. It's no wonder the car makers have dug their heels in. And it's why new manufacturers like Tesla don't have the same battles as they have never needed to make an engine in the first place.

Batteries however is where the issues are. Not enough people making them and still some questionable practices obtaining the raw materials

They can be recycled and repurposed for home and grid storage after car use but still isn't enough of them. They also require precise laboratory level cleanliness and processing so repurposing an engine plant won't cut it.

Ford etc are trying to wring the last drops of life out of the internal combustion engine before they HAVE to change. This is just part of a long term strategy.

Very bad for local work and business but our first minister doesn't appear to care much about that based on the last few days evidence. If he truly wants us at the forefront of tech we should be investing in developing battery and hydrogen technology so companies can locate their electric car powerchain work here. .. oh and open up a relief road on the m4 to assist in easier access

I think your going a bit overboard there.

Hybrid engines are going to be a lot more popular then all electric engines for along long time yet.

Been confirmed it will close in Sept 2020.

Gavin, I think I read it's closing "in phases" from September 2020?

Also, talk of some jobs being found in other plants but that would mean relocation for those who take it up; not as easy as it sounds

I know quite a few people who work there, some members of this Forum, and I'm gutted for them

Been confirmed it will close in Sept 2020.

Gavin, I think I read it's closing "in phases" from September 2020?

Also, talk of some jobs being found in other plants but that would mean relocation for those who take it up; not as easy as it sounds

I know quite a few people who work there, some members of this Forum, and I'm gutted for them

Nope it’s closed completely September 2020

Exactly. That's almost half of their models which will require zero engine. That's why it's going to happen globally. I read up a lot about electric cars as I have one ... A Nissan leaf. It's part of the reason the old car manufacturers are dragging their heels so much about electric cars. For them it will require massive changes to their supply and manufacturing chains.

They have perfected making and servicing cheap engines to sell cars cheaply and have service plans.

Now the new cars don't need engines and need less services. So they need to get rid of lots of staff at engine plants. Get rid of engine plants. Lose money on service packages. It's no wonder the car makers have dug their heels in. And it's why new manufacturers like Tesla don't have the same battles as they have never needed to make an engine in the first place.

Batteries however is where the issues are. Not enough people making them and still some questionable practices obtaining the raw materials

They can be recycled and repurposed for home and grid storage after car use but still isn't enough of them. They also require precise laboratory level cleanliness and processing so repurposing an engine plant won't cut it.

Ford etc are trying to wring the last drops of life out of the internal combustion engine before they HAVE to change. This is just part of a long term strategy.

Very bad for local work and business but our first minister doesn't appear to care much about that based on the last few days evidence. If he truly wants us at the forefront of tech we should be investing in developing battery and hydrogen technology so companies can locate their electric car powerchain work here. .. oh and open up a relief road on the m4 to assist in easier access

I think your going a bit overboard there.

Hybrid engines are going to be a lot more popular then all electric engines for along long time yet.

They will definitely tie us over that's for sure. But ford aren't thinking for the next 10 years they are thinking the next 20 or so. If it's already more expensive to build engines there then from a.business perspective it will only worsen as they phase away from them. They plan on having almost half their range fully electric in the coming years and a massive increase on hybrids.. a hybrid engine is not quite the same as a non hybrid. If that's not what they make at Bridgend then they won't be investing heavily in to a transition technology.
Norway is a prime example of electric cars where over half new cars are fully electric and that's with present shorter range cars. It's already possible to do despite protestation from people that want to drive V8 cars.

Don't get me wrong I think it's tragic that we will have these job losses. I'm more annoyed at the paper weights in the bay doing little to encourage business and technology. But I just don't see this as an isolated case as the vehicles we drive transition to very different beasts as we move towards the government set banning of pure internal combustion engines.

Exactly. That's almost half of their models which will require zero engine. That's why it's going to happen globally. I read up a lot about electric cars as I have one ... A Nissan leaf. It's part of the reason the old car manufacturers are dragging their heels so much about electric cars. For them it will require massive changes to their supply and manufacturing chains.

They have perfected making and servicing cheap engines to sell cars cheaply and have service plans.

Now the new cars don't need engines and need less services. So they need to get rid of lots of staff at engine plants. Get rid of engine plants. Lose money on service packages. It's no wonder the car makers have dug their heels in. And it's why new manufacturers like Tesla don't have the same battles as they have never needed to make an engine in the first place.

Batteries however is where the issues are. Not enough people making them and still some questionable practices obtaining the raw materials

They can be recycled and repurposed for home and grid storage after car use but still isn't enough of them. They also require precise laboratory level cleanliness and processing so repurposing an engine plant won't cut it.

Ford etc are trying to wring the last drops of life out of the internal combustion engine before they HAVE to change. This is just part of a long term strategy.

Very bad for local work and business but our first minister doesn't appear to care much about that based on the last few days evidence. If he truly wants us at the forefront of tech we should be investing in developing battery and hydrogen technology so companies can locate their electric car powerchain work here. .. oh and open up a relief road on the m4 to assist in easier access

I think your going a bit overboard there.

Hybrid engines are going to be a lot more popular then all electric engines for along long time yet.

They will definitely tie us over that's for sure. But ford aren't thinking for the next 10 years they are thinking the next 20 or so. If it's already more expensive to build engines there then from a.business perspective it will only worsen as they phase away from them. They plan on having almost half their range fully electric in the coming years and a massive increase on hybrids.. a hybrid engine is not quite the same as a non hybrid. If that's not what they make at Bridgend then they won't be investing heavily in to a transition technology.
Norway is a prime example of electric cars where over half new cars are fully electric and that's with present shorter range cars. It's already possible to do despite protestation from people that want to drive V8 cars.

Don't get me wrong I think it's tragic that we will have these job losses. I'm more annoyed at the paper weights in the bay doing little to encourage business and technology. But I just don't see this as an isolated case as the vehicles we drive transition to very different beasts as we move towards the government set banning of pure internal combustion engines.

The plan is to get rid of millions of cars off the rd with no thought of how people are going to charge them or afford them? They are already limiting charge times so that waiting times are not long... I drive hybrid but it is a token gesture to appease EU regulations as my battery is less than 1 square foot it does sfa... will electric car price come down? A comparison was made to two identical cars petrol £13k electric £31k and depreciation value over several years was 30% petrol 60% electric but highly unlikely to get peanuts for electric car as would probably need new battery

You think the government don't have a plan?! They have a plan for everything!

Oh sorry I was thinking about the a team!!

Not sure where you get the idea they limit charge times. I drive fully electric and that's never happened to me .

I mostly charge my leaf at home on a dedicated charger but usually only do it once a week. Sometimes once every 9 days.

Batteries aren't in my experience being replaced. I have a 3 year old leaf and it's still rated as having full capacity. Official the capacity is 95% which means i have lost maybe 5 miles range tops which I don't notice.

Cost .. yes they do cost more but this is likely to change as demand increases. Also my PCP deal monthly payments is less than I used to spend on petrol a month. So the car is paying for itself with fuel.

Costs me about £3 or 4 a week in electricity. I take it on long drives as it is my main car. Plenty of chargers around. It's a faff now but all the new cars have much bigger batteries than mine and as such most go over 200 miles on a charge now

I'm not aware of many people in the UK having to replace batteries. The leaf like mine is the most vulnerable as it does not actively cool the cells like other cars do. In a moderate climate like ours the batteries are easily lasting over 100k miles. A taxi firm in Cornwall are testament to that.

Also the depreciation has flipped on its head. The demand for electric cars is growing massively and there aren't enough to go around. My car according to autotrader is worth the same this year as it was last year. This has only happened in the last 6 months though and prior to that yes there was massive depreciation.

The battery technology on new cars are vastly better than the old leaf cars.

You think the government don't have a plan?! They have a plan for everything!

Oh sorry I was thinking about the a team!!

Not sure where you get the idea they limit charge times. I drive fully electric and that's never happened to me .

I mostly charge my leaf at home on a dedicated charger but usually only do it once a week. Sometimes once every 9 days.

Batteries aren't in my experience being replaced. I have a 3 year old leaf and it's still rated as having full capacity. Official the capacity is 95% which means i have lost maybe 5 miles range tops which I don't notice.

Cost .. yes they do cost more but this is likely to change as demand increases. Also my PCP deal monthly payments is less than I used to spend on petrol a month. So the car is paying for itself with fuel.

Costs me about £3 or 4 a week in electricity. I take it on long drives as it is my main car. Plenty of chargers around. It's a faff now but all the new cars have much bigger batteries than mine and as such most go over 200 miles on a charge now

I'm not aware of many people in the UK having to replace batteries. The leaf like mine is the most vulnerable as it does not actively cool the cells like other cars do. In a moderate climate like ours the batteries are easily lasting over 100k miles. A taxi firm in Cornwall are testament to that.

Was reading an article and someone was reducing charge to 80% of capacity to cut down charge times not sure if here or abroad! Battery life as got a shelf life and after several years they deteriorate like all batteries so making sell on less attractive all this as come from article read online news recently,
obviously not all electric cars have problems but older leaf cars do not have good reputation.... the story about comparison between cars is factual from car magazine but guess story may be old :

Ah I'm with you!!

Older leaf cars ...older than mine .. could be stopped at 80 to protect their battery cells. It doesn't happen now because the software is good at managing cells. Official advice is just charge them up.

As far as charge rate is concerned they do charge faster to 80 then slow gradually the rate up to 100 to protect the battery but it's not that much of an issue. If I stop at the services and grab a bite and a toilet break I can get back from 25% to about 95 in around half hour.

Obviously bigger batteries will take longer to hit 80 so that's actually a good thing as the faster rate stays on longer pushing in more range in the same time frame.

They do degrade but each battery is actually lots of small batteries so I suspect in time people will learn how to identify and swap degraded units so each service you can refresh the battery for a much lower price than changing the whole thing. Eventually you will end up with triggers broom!

Judging by Facebook forums. I'm not alone in hardly ever using rapid chargers. Almost all my charging is overnight at home once a week or top ups in town. St David's car park have 4 charge bays which are free to use.

Don't worry Ford workers, there will be plenty of inward investment in the South Wales economy as soon as the M4 relief road gets the go ahead......

.........aah.

But on the bright side you'll be able to visit the Newport Wetlands regularly with all the time off you'll have soon.

Every cloud eh?

Takes the piss doesn't it?! Bloody drakeford

disappointing to see Ford in Bridgend closing down but anyone involved in the automotive industry knew it was going to happen

let's hope some of the workforce will now be deployed in the new aston martin plant which will go into production next year or maybe the new company in Newport that will be manufacturing trains

aston martin new electric range to be built in Wales

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/ ... c-15133482