RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. automobile giant Ford announced on Tuesday that it will close down a factory in Brazil and reduce its operations in South America in a bid to turn around its business in the region.
The factory to be closed is located in Sao Bernardo do Campo, an automotive industry pole in the state of Sao Paulo. Ford said it aims to regain sustainable profitability in its South American operations.
The company plans to stop selling four truck and car models which are produced in the Sao Bernardo factory: hatch Fiesta, pickup truck F-350, and trucks F-4000 and Cargo.
It did not specify how many workers will be impacted by the closure, but the Sao Bernardo do Campo plant has 3,000 workers.
Ford said it has been trying to cut its salary and administrative costs in South America. It intends to expand global partnerships and strengthen its SUVs and pickup trucks product line, the company said in a statement.
Despite the latest decision to close the plant and reduce its operations in the region, Ford's President for South America Lyle Watters said the company is committed to its operation in the region.
"Ford is committed to South America through the construction of a profitable, sustainable business, strengthening the offer of products, creating positive experiences for its consumers and acting on a more agile, compact and efficient business model," he said.
