Production for Ford’s new mid-sized Mondeo sedan has commenced at the Blue Oval’s production facility in Genk, Belgium, just days after production started for the new Ford C-max and almost exactly 12 months after the introduction of the Galaxy and S-max line of cars.

To accommodate the increased production numbers, Ford had to upgrade the Genk plant at a cost of almost €715,000 and the hiring of additional staff, which now totals 5,800 personnel.

The new Mondeo is the latest model to join Ford’s revamped Euro lineup, but US fans are likely to be disappointed as the car has a low chance of being launched Stateside. Ford’s CEO Alan Mulally has publicly praised the Mondeo and admitted he’d like to see it launch in America, but fears of it cannibalizing sales of the Fusion sedan has ruled out any US export program.