Ford to delay next Galaxy and S-Max minivans, report says

Ford may delay the next-generation Galaxy and S-Max minivans due to the closure of its Belgium plant that currently builds these vehicles.

According to a Wednesday report from German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, the delay will add to the already announced delay of the next-generation Mondeo, also due to the shutting down of Ford’s Genk plant. The Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max are all made in the Genk plant and are nearing the end of their life cycles.

Ford of Europe spokesman Adrian Schmitz declined to confirms Auto Motor und Sport’s report, saying that the carmaker “does not discuss future product programmes”. “We have not communicated publicly any launch details of future CD segment models other than of Mondeo,” Schmitz was quoted as saying by Reuters.

On October 24, Ford announced plans to close the Genk plant by the end of 2014 and shift production to Valencia, Spain. The decision, which will leave 4,300 Belgian workers jobless, was taken as Ford tries to cut costs and stem European losses.

Ford expects to lose a combined $3 billion in Europe in 2012 and 2013. The U.S.-based carmaker posted a $468 million loss in the region in the third quarter of this year.