Earlier, the factory was estimated to produce and test about 500 cars before launching the main production line. Ford Motors Company selected Vsevolozhsk as a location for the future factory from 80 construction sites in various Russian towns. Cars to be manufactured in Vsevolozhsk will differ from imported Fords in 28 parameters due to the differences of Russian roads. At the first stage of operations, only one model, Ford Focus, will roll off assembly lines. Another four models will be selected in the second half of 2002. The factory will also develop its export policies. The factory construction started in 1999, and initially the opening was scheduled for the end of 2001. However, it was postponed by 6 months due to the fact that the sales volume of new foreign cars had slumped to 46,000 in Russia at the beginning of 2001 but grew back to 80,000 in early 2002.

News source: Swedish Trade Council
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