That‘s because total employment at the Oakville assembly plant has increased by 1,100 jobs. This includes the introduction of 400 workers from Ford Canada workforces outside There should be several immediate spinâ€"offs for Oakville‘s economy, including housing and retail business The public gets to start buying the van on March 24th. O‘Connor said that as Windstar increases in production, 91,000 sales will be expected by the end of 1994. The Windstar will also be priced comparable to the Caravan. Though no hard figures have been released by Ford, Dodgeâ€"Caravans retail from about $15,000. The production of the sleek new van is envisioned to boost Ford‘s current 24% share of the miniâ€"van market and dent the sales enjoyed by its closest rival â€" the Dodge Caravan â€" said O‘Connor, who has been an acknowlâ€" edged marketing wizard for Ford of Canada operations. 1y," said O‘Connor, during a media launch of the Windstar at Howieâ€"inâ€" theâ€"Hills, Florida. "We‘re very pleased to get this vehicle." e Windstar is expected to be a I windfall for Ford in the highly competitive miniâ€"van market, according to Jim O‘Connor, departing Ford of Canada head and soonâ€"toâ€"be director of Ford‘s North American marâ€" keting operations and plans. "We think the Windstar will increase our market share significantâ€" By GORD KOLLE Special to the Beaver Ford expects major results from $1â€"billion Windstar investment ! o es rience he wants to share! THE HOPPING GRAPE VINE 171 Sgeers Rd. Wine Beer Making Supplies » IN THE CINEPLEX ODEON MALL * ITS FUN « IT‘S EASY _ John has years of ‘handsâ€"on‘ for you a friend. A great winter hobby! Make your own vineyard quality wines for a fraction of L. C B.O. sticker prices. Learn how easy it is in a FREE 1 hour demonstration. NEXT DATE MON., JAN. 24th 7:30â€"8:30 p.m. E22020 200 O O UT ED.A rices. Learn how easy it M mA a l sticker o s ina FREE 1 hour demonstration. _ P.mâ€" CALL 845â€"5716 to Reserve NOW! WINEMAKING DEMONSTRATION The company‘s quota of car sales rose from 18.8% in 1991 to 17.8% in "The key there is to have a new product with high quality production, sales, and service," said O‘Connor, who is recognized as having steered the Canadian operation to substantial gains in Ford‘s share of market. Ford will wage an aggressive camâ€" paign to win customer loyalty and customer satisfaction with the Windstar, said O‘Connor. "We‘ve spent $1â€"billion in Oakville and $1â€"billion in Windsor, and Oakville will be the only Windstar outlet in North America." "We‘ll continue to maximize the operation of our Canadian facilities," said O‘Connor. Floor space has increased from 2.3â€" million square feet to 3.1â€"million square feet. The company has installed 354 welding robots along with several miles of new conveyor systems. The Oakville assembly plant will produce an expected 1,200 Windstars per working day on two eightâ€"hour There are now 3,900 Ford employâ€" ees at Oakville, trained and poised to start building Ford‘s new miniâ€"van Jan. 24th. Jim O‘Connor O‘Connor will also oversee eprrt sales and marketing strategies of Ford‘s North American operations. But the new head of Ford of Canada, Mark Hutchins, will report to O‘Connor. So the Windstar‘s fortunes and Ford‘s Canadian operations will still be under O‘Connor‘s watchful eye. O‘Connor, 50, has been promoted to executive director, North American marketing operations and plans for Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. With the arrival of the Windstar comes the departure of O‘Connor â€" but he‘ll still keep a finger in the pie. The big losers in Canada have been the imports â€" Volkswagen and Mazda were down 6% in sales last year, said O‘Connor. "We know that in Canada, 35% of all truck sales are miniâ€"vans; that‘s more than the United States," said O‘Connor, 1993, while its truck and van share rose O‘Connor was viceâ€"president sales from 24.8% to 27.5%. and marketing for Ford Canada from "We know that in Canada, 35% of 1984â€"86 working under former chairâ€" all truck sales are m1m iâ€"vans; . that s _ man and president Ken Harrigan. B en es e THE OAKVILLE SYMPHON $5 per person Entry Fee in return for a 1994 Festival Admission Button. Each scheduled presentation will include a variety of performances. A Program Advisory Committee made up of business professionals from various artistic genres will evaluate all performances and make their recommendations to the Festival Program Committee. To enter Casting Call ‘94, please fill out the application form below and return it to Hopedale Mall Management Office, 3rd floor, on or before February 11, 1994. For additional information please contact the OWF Office at: 847â€"7975. The Casting Call is open to persons 14 {eears of age and up. Participants must be residents of Oakville. Parental consent is required for participants under the age of 18. All participants must have amateur status. The Casting Call is open to individuals or groupsâ€"please, no associations, organizations or schools. There is a 5 minute limit on all performances, unless otherwise approved by the Festival Program Subâ€"Committee. The Program Advisory Committee will evaluate all performances and will present their recommendations to the Festival Program Committee. Program selections will be announced the week of February 28th, 1994. All performers must be available to perform anytime during the Waterfront Festival, June 25, 26, 27, 1994. 1, the paremlleg'jleguardian of grant Hopedale Developments Limited, the Hopedale Mall Merchants‘ Association and the Oakville Waterfront Festival the following: I will indemnify Hopedale Developments Limited, the Hopedale Mall Merchants‘ Association and the Oakville Waterfront Festival and save them harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, actions, liability and expense in connection with loss of life, personal injury and/or damage to property arising from and out of the participation of my son/daughter in the Hopedale MallWatertront Casting Call 94 during the periods Feb. 21 to Feb. 26, 1994 and June 25, 26, and 27, 1994. Signature PERFORMANCE DETAILS PARENTAL CONSENT Phone: Address: °se CastNnc CaALL ‘94 MUSIC « DANCE +« COMEDY +« VARIETY Thursday, February 24th « Friday, February 25th, 6 â€" 9 pm Saturday, February 26th, 10am â€" 4pm at Hopedale Mall + Centre Court Lunch time entertainment on Saturday provided by He returned in 1990 to assume the CEO‘s spot. During his tenure, O‘*Connor travelled extensively to extol the merits of customer service to Ford‘s dealer network. Age: O‘Connor â€" a native of New York Oakville Waterfront Festival and Hopedale Mall invite all Talented Persons aged 14 to 114 to take part in an Oakvilleâ€"wide Brief Description of Performance: Talent: Participants must supply all required equipment and/or props necessary for their performances. H?edale Mall will supply a stage approximately 30" wide by 15" deep and all sound equipment. Each performance evening/day will be videotaped. Copies can be ordered. The Program Subâ€"Committee reserves the right to limit categories. Contestants will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis. Entry forms and $5 entry fees must be received at the Waterfront Offices, PO Box 50211, Oakville, ON. L6J 1N5 or Hopedale Mall, Management Office, 3rd floor, 1515 Rebecca St., Oakville, ON L6L 5GB no later than 5:00 pm Friday, February 11, 1994. Participation indicates acceptance to the above rules. Selected individuals may be asked to attend promotional aï¬opearanoes and must agree to the use of their names and tograph Date InC. AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER BROKER Member of the Oakville/Mitton District plus Toronto Real Estate Boards ... WITH EXPOSURE TO OVER 23,550 MEMBERS Albert Venditti, Sales Representative O‘Connor had been president of Ford of Canada since 1990 and was appointed Ford of Canada CEO in October 1992. He was the first American to head the Canadian operaâ€" tion in 60 years. ef ‘AEPUJY YHAVAI City â€" begins his new job, Feb. 24th, after officially handing over the Canadian operation to Hutchins on Feb. Ist. For all your Real Estate Needs Please call B.A., B.Ed.