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New Volkswagen Project to Create 1,500 Jobs
Monday 23 November 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, November 23 (TASR) - The New Small Family vehicle project was launched at Volkswagen's Bratislava facility on Monday with the laying of a foundation stone in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Robert Fico.
New innovative small vehicles will be produced under the project. Production of the new Volkswagen model UP!, which is part of the New Small Family group, and the decision to locate production at the Bratislava facility was announced by the company's management in April. The estimated sum of the investment is €308 million.
The production capacity of the Bratislava facility should increase to 400,000 vehicles a year after the New Small Family line is launched.
According to chairman of the company board Andreas Tostmann, the production of the new model will create 1,500 new jobs, while the construction of new facilities - painting and assembly halls - will also provide work to approximately 1,800 people from many professions. In all, the new line of vehicles will mean work for 7,000 people not only directly in production but also among suppliers, with Slovakia enjoying a 50-percent share of this number of jobs.
Prime Minister Robert Fico in his speech on this occasion said that Volkswagen "is helping a good thing" via the project. On one hand it is in line with the Government's ideas about the creation of quality jobs, while on the other the business goals of the company are being realised.
Volkswagen's activities will significantly contribute to renewed economic growth in 2010 and 2011. According to the premier, growth should reach 2 percent year-on-year in 2010 and 4 percent in 2011. In his opinion, VW's initiative is also proof that the inflow of investment to Slovakia hasn't stopped, and that further investments can be expected as was advised by the Economy Ministry.
Fico at a briefing on Monday conceded that focusing on one production segment is dangerous during a crisis. On the other hand, if capacities are available, they must be used in the most effective way.
"We won't take steps now that would rid these people of their jobs. So the production of a small car is good news for Bratislava, because if we didn't get the new car capacities would be threatened," said the premier.
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