Ford newcomers test in Sweden

Ford newcomers test in Sweden

Ford rookies Toni Gardemeister and Roman Kresta took to the snow at the weekend, climbing behind the wheel of their new world rally challenger, the Ford Focus RS WRC, for the first time.

The team mates covered just under 1,000kms in four days on snow covered roads near Kall, north-west Sweden.

Together with Michelin, the team were pleased with what had been achieved in temperatures ranging from -17°C to 3°C.

Both crews also had the opportunity to test in darkness, experiencing conditions similar to those likely to be found on February's Rally Sweden.

Job losses at GM in Europe

Job losses at GM Europe - GM to shed 12000 workers in Europe


General Motors Europe has announced that it will lose almost 12,000 jobs over the next two years, saving the company 500 million euros ($673 million). The steps aim to address chronic losses in the region by the world's biggest carmaker, which last made a profit in Europe in 1999 and sees no quick upturn in a market marked by sluggish sales and intense pricing pressure.


"We have an agreement. ) Opel will cut 10,000 jobs in Germany. General Motors will cut 12,000 jobs overall in Europe," a spokesman at GM Europe headquarters in Zurich said. "We have not decided on any plant closures at this time," he added. "The intent is to avoid plant closures, but there is no guarantee."


He said GM would try to prevent forced layoffs, but it would only be clear in a few months whether this would be possible. A source who attended an Opel works council briefing said the steps would cost GM around $1 billion in restructuring charges, but the spokesman would not confirm this number.


Around 2,500 staff had already agreed to take early retirement offered to those born in 1946 or earlier, Opel said. Fifteen percent of managers in Europe will go in the reshuffle, which stunned Opel's home town of Ruesselsheim.