The delivery of the first electric vehicles manufactured at the Ford Otosan plant represents a significant achievement for Romania's automotive industry, highlighting a solid partnership and business cooperation, underscored Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who attended the event organised at the plant in Craiova on Friday.

'The delivery of the first cars from the new fully electric range made here is an achievement that underscores the strength of a solid partnership, an example of business cooperation. We have, first and foremost, a famous American brand, top management from an important Turkish business group, and, of course, the ingenuity and dedication of all Romanian employees. This collaboration transcends borders and proves that we can achieve extraordinary things when we combine the expertise and experience of major foreign investors with our own resources. The thousands of Oltenians working at Ford reaffirm the decades-old tradition of the automotive industry in Craiova, once again showing the world the immense talent of this people. I have seen the cars produced here and I am convinced that they meet the highest global standards of design and technology. There is now also an ultramodern electric battery production line. I had no doubt that the models made in Craiova can compete with any rival, representing a shining example of our capabilities. This is also why Ford cars are so successful both on the Romanian market and internationally,' said Marcel Ciolacu.

The prime minister also brought to mind that the Ford plant in Craiova achieved a major performance last year, producing a record number of cars - over 250,000, a result of investments totaling nearly 500 million euros in recent years.

'Ford Craiova is today one of the most important companies in the country due to its essential role in increasing Romania's exports. It is also the engine of a vast ecosystem, consisting of dozens and hundreds of local firms, suppliers and partners, which provide thousands of jobs horizontally in the economy. Therefore, let me say from the heart: dear friends, we are proud of your achievements!,' said Marcel Ciolacu.

At the same time, Prime Minister Ciolacu said that the Romanian Government will make every effort to complete the last 12 kilometres of the so-called Ford motorway, Craiova-Pitesti, in the coming weeks, and then accelerate the pace to complete the new A0 ring road around the Capital and the Pitesti-Sibiu motorway.

The Ford Otosan plant in Craiova marked the delivery of the first electric vehicles made in Romania on Friday. According to Ford representatives, the three models - Puma Gen-E, E-Transit Courier and E-Tourneo Courier - are on their way to customers in Europe. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Maria Mitrica; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)