For several weeks, the new Fiesta ST featuring standard-equipped RECARO seats has been available in Europe, and sporty subcompact fans are already lining up for this new Ford car model. According to press reports, there are over 3,000 orders for the fastest-ever mass-produced small car from Ford. And in order that ST enthusiasts in North America and Asia can enjoy the performance of the pint-size power pack, series production has also recently begun for these markets at Ford’s plant in Mexico. These models will also be standard-equipped by RECARO, but with one difference: Whereas European production of the Fiesta ST in Cologne will be supplied with the seats by the main RECARO factory in Kirchheim/Teck, Germany, the Ford plant in Mexico will receive its RECARO seats from a newly built ‘plant-in-plant’ located on site. This facility began operating at the end of May, 2013, according to schedule. In its operations there, RECARO will be supported by the infrastructure and logistics of Johnson Controls, its parent company. Accordingly, the premium RECARO sport seats for the Fiesta ST will be manufactured at the same site as seats for standard versions of the Fiesta, allowing Ford’s current supply needs to be immediately and efficiently met. It’s a win-win situation for all involved, as Dr. Christian Debus, Global Vice President at Recaro Automotive Seating in charge of the company’s worldwide passenger car business, explains: “Supplying the Mexican plant from Germany would not have made sense in terms of profitability, so ‘plant-in-plant’ production is an excellent solution. And our production in Mexico will absolutely comply with our premium-quality standards as a brand-name manufacturer.”
