After bringing the Americans to Craiova, Tăriceanu starts selling Ford

Călin Popescu Tăriceanu starting August became one of Ford’s dealers in Romania, after in 2007, as prime minister, he was part of the Romanian state’s team in talks with the US group for the takeover of the 72.4% stake in the car plant from the Romanian state, for which the group paid 57m euros. Automotive Trading Services (ATS), a company 85% controlled by the former premier, replaced the Citroen brand in Băneasa car centre with the US one, thus becoming the fifth Ford dealer in Bucharest. “We confirm the fact that ATS will become a Ford dealer, part of Ford Romania network, starting August,” stated the US carmaker’s officials. At present, the biggest Ford dealer domestically is Romcar Motors, part of ȚiriacAuto, with turnover topping 20m euros in 2009. ATS last year generated 15.7m euros in turnover, down more than 20%, in line with Trade Registry data.