Ford's flagship engine plant in Bridgend, south Wales, will close next year in the latest blow to the 海角视频's automotive sector.
Following the announcement that Japanese car making Honda is closing its Swindon factory by 2021 with the loss of 3,500 jobs and Indian-owned JLR announcing thousands of jobs losses, the closure of the Bridgend plant will impact 1,700 direct jobs and effect thousands more in the supply chain.
Ford says the closure of the plant will cost around £508m.
President of Ford of Europe Stuart Rowley said: “As a major employer in the 海角视频 for more than a century, we know that closing Bridgend would be difficult for many of our employees.
"We recognise the effects it would have on their families and the communities where they live and, as a responsible employer, we are proposing a plan that would help to ease the impact."
President of Ford of Europe Stuart Rowley said: “As a major employer in the 海角视频 for more than a century, we know that closing Bridgend would be difficult for many of our employees.
"We recognise the effects it would have on their families and the communities where they live and, as a responsible employer, we are proposing a plan that would help to ease the impact."
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General secretary of TUC Wales, Martin Mansfield, said: "This is a huge blow to Bridgend, the Welsh car industry and our whole economy. Most importantly it’s devastating for the dedicated and skilled workers, their families and their community.
“The Wales TUC will support the workers and their unions as they decide their response – they can be assured of the 100% backing of the whole Welsh trade union movement.
“Welsh and 海角视频 governments will need to work closely with us to deal with the impact of this announcement.”
Director of CBI Wales, Ian Price, said: "The planned closure of Ford’s Bridgend plant is a blow to the lives of all who work there and in its supply chains, as well as to the Welsh economy.
“The workers must be given every help in re-training, upskilling and finding new opportunities. Despite the bad news, we welcome that Ford recognises its obligations and is proposing a plan to ease the impact.
“The Welsh Government and Westminster must do all in its power to sustain manufacturing in our country, and support industries under threat from a range of challenges, from automation to a slowing global economy.”
The factory has been under pressure for a number of years, with falling demand for the two engines it makes and lower projected need for the Dragon engine it is scheduled to start making this year.
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Brexit, tariffs, diesel and electric cars are just some of the reasons other car makers have said they are closing plants.
Nissan had said that uncertainty about Brexit wasn’t helping them plan for the future, and chose to build the next X-Trail model in Japan, rather than in Sunderland.
However, Honda said its Swindon closure wasn’t about Brexit, and business secretary Greg Clark said it was “a commercial decision” for the company.
When Jaguar Land Rover cut 4,500 jobs, they said it was a slowing Chinese market responsible.
A new trade deal between Japan and the EU meant tariffs on cars exported from Japan to Europe reduced to zero over the next 10 years.
Closer to home, here in the 海角视频 diesel sales are falling and Honda had said the decision to close its Swindon manufacturing plant was down to changes in the car industry and the need to make more electric and hybrid vehicles.
While electric cars are on the up, they are still not a widespread replacement for petrol or diesel cars.
In what would only be a small crumb of comfort, the Ford site is still awaiting a decision on whether it will be chosen as the location for a new off road vehicle in an investment that could provide 500 new jobs.
Bridgend is up against Portugal for a project from Ineos Automotive with its new 4 x4 vehicle. This could see Ineos taking a engine line at the plant and see Ford staff transferring over.
When Jaguar Land Rover announced it was ceasing production of its original Land Rover Defender in 2016, Projekt Grenadier was launched by Ineos to fill what they saw as a lucrative gap in the marketplace.
However, it is unlikely with the continuing uncertainty over Brexit, that Wales would be able to secure the entire investment, with the best case scenario being a split operation with Portugal.