"Demand remains strong," according to US-Russia Ford CEO Ted Cannis, who took over last month and has seen a huge spike in vehicle sales. Sales of cars like Ford Explorer and Ford Transit Connect Van are so big, that the American auto maker is moving production of European variants of those vehicles over to Russia.¹

Sales of all vehicles in Russia have ranged from 2.6 to 2.7 million so far in 2011 - well above the Association of European Businesses prediction of 2.45 million. Between 2009 and October 2011, Russian vehicle sales have shot up over 30 percent.

Ford is taking advantage of this by ramping up production of the popular Ford van and redesigned SUV. Russia also plans on offering government-sponsored financial incentives for hybrids, in order to lessen the country's dependence of fossil fuels, which continue to rise in price.

Ford will begin production of Ford Transit Connect vans, and Ford Explorers, at the former Soller factories in 2012.

Don't worry, the cars and trucks available at Lindsay Ford of Wheaton - 11250 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton, MD are still built right here in America!

Source: ¹http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/01/us-ford-russia-idUSTRE7901CL20111001