Good times for Dagenham says Ford’s UK boss
Mark Ovenden, chairman and managing director for Ford of Britain, addressed Barking and Dagenham's Chamber of Commerce at the Vue Cinema in Goresbrook. - Credit: Archant
The UK boss of one of Dagenham’s biggest employers fought the case for car diesel engines when he addressed local businesses last Wednesday.
Mark Ovenden, chairman and managing director for Ford of Britain, addressed Barking and Dagenham's Chamber of Commerce at the Vue Cinema in Goresbrook. - Credit: Archant
Speaking at a breakfast meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, Mark Ovenden, chairman and managing director of Ford of Britain gave a talk entitled UK Economic Outlook for Business from a Motor Industry Perspective.
A new £475million green diesel engines production line will open in Dagenham later this year and Ovenden expressed his excitement for the borough.
“Europe is an important diesel market which is good news for Dagenham,” he said.
“There’s been quite a lot of demonisation of diesel in the press recently, but it’s played a crucial role in reducing levels of CO2 levels in the last 10 to 20 years.
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“We have invested in diesel engines in Dagenham so it’s important that people realise the benefits of diesel.”
A Ford employee for almost 30 years, he first wanted to work for the American car giants after falling in love with the Escort X31.
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Although Britain remains the third-highest producer of Ford cars after America and China, Ovenden also highlighted the benefits of the European Union.
“Britain is not an island, economically speaking,” he added. “If we pull out from the EU we withdraw from the European single market.
“There’s a lot of work to do, but it’s vital for the future prosperity of Britain we remain in the EU and work to reform it.”
