Ford still monitoring situation in Europe closely: chief

BERLIN: US auto giant Ford, which recently announced factory closures in Britain and Belgium, will continue to monitor the situation in Europe closely in case further measures are needed, its chief executive said Wednesday.

"Everything we know, we have done it. We will continue to assess the situation," Alan Mulally told an auto congress here.

"It is just the right thing to do for everybody, and that is match our production to the world demand.

We are going to continue to assess what is happening with the economy, what is happening with the industry, Mulally said, pledging to "continue on our path, as hard as it is."

Last month, Ford said it would close down a key plant in Genk, Belgium, as well as two facilities in Britain in a bid to steer its European operations back to profit.

The closures entail the loss of up to 6,200 jobs, equivalent to 13 percent of Ford's European workforce.