Relationships with Large Companies

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 2:14 pm on 16 January 2019.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:14, 16 January 2019

Well, we stand ready to support Ford in any way that we can. The First Minister was at the Bridgend site just this morning, meeting with site managers and also with trade union representatives. I said yesterday and I said earlier today that what could be critically important to the Bridgend site is the development of hybridised engines, including a hybrid Dragon engine, and Welsh Government stands ready to assist in any way that it can in ensuring that the Bridgend facility is a chosen facility for the hybridisation of the Dragon engine.

Within the forward work programme cycle for Ford, there are no obvious new engine products being developed, and we must await the outcome of talks with Volkswagen to determine whether Ford will utilise electric drivetrains from the German manufacturer. However, it is my intention to continue working closely with Ford and with social partners at Bridgend to ensure that the Dragon engine goes on being a success and that any additional demand for the Dragon engine results in increased capacity and, therefore, increased job opportunities at Bridgend, and, also, that whilst this work is ongoing, we seek every other opportunity to create employment, either through, or, potentially, both through hybridisation of the Dragon engine and through securing the Ineos investment.