July 5, 2022, 12:55
Ford Craiova Plant
Prime Minister Ciuca,
Minister Spataru,
Ambassador Aramaz,
Congratulations to our hosts, Stuart Rowley, Josephine Payne, and Guvern Ozyurt of the greater Ford family on this momentous transfer. I am very pleased to celebrate the ever-growing commercial ties between our countries, they usher in a new dawn for the Ford Craiova plant. Ford stands in the vanguard of Europe’s electric vehicle revolution. The green revolution we are witnessing today will brighten the world’s future as surely as the agricultural revolution reshaped human societies thousands of years ago, and just as the industrial revolution supercharged our economies over two hundred years ago.
As President Biden stated, “Our environment and our economy are completely and totally connected.” Ford understands this. This company is a global leader in environmental leadership and advanced manufacturing within the automotive industry. I applaud its plans to achieve zero emissions for all vehicle sales and to reach carbon neutrality across its European footprint of facilities, logistics and
suppliers by 2035. Today’s transfer positions Romania firmly and competitively in Ford’s electrification strategy.
Efficient and reliable infrastructure, however, remains a critical component to Craiova’s success. European automobile manufacturers and consumers have increasingly embraced electromobility. Not only must we make progress on road and rail development, but Romania must also transform its electric charging infrastructure to meet the rising supply of and demand for electric vehicles. We urge all policy makers—both in Romania and across the EU—to take the wheel and drive towards meeting the EU’s ambitious carbon-dioxide reduction goals.
In this regard, it was very good to hear today the Government’s commitment towards building charging stations throughout Romania. When we celebrated America’s independence last Friday, at the U.S. Embassy, it was fitting that we displayed the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E – an electrified and reimagined American icon. No company better represents both America’s heritage and its potential as a technological innovator than the Ford Motor Company. I am very pleased that we are taking this journey towards a green future together.
Thank you all.
