Ford to cut 4,000 jobs in Europe amid EV sales slowdown

Ford Motor Company has announced plans to cut production in Europe as it faces up to competition from Chinese carmakers and disruption as the industry moved to electrification.

Ford’s car business in Europe has been in the red in recent years, which in part explains the move to further reduce its European workforce by 4,000 positions by the end of 2027, pending consultations with its European social partners.

The planned job cuts will primarily impact operations in Germany but also the UK, with minimal reductions in other European markets.

About 800 jobs in the UK and 2,900 in Germany will go about 14% of Ford’s workforce in Europe. Ford factories in Dagenham and Halewood (pictured) are not impacted.

It added that lower lower-than-expected demand for electric cars will mean it further adjusting the production program for the new Explorer and Capri.

This, it said, will result in additional short time working days at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.

“Ford has been in Europe for more than 100 years. We are proud of our new product portfolio for Europe and committed to building a thriving business in Europe for generations to come,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice president for Transformation and Partnerships.

“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe.”

A bright spot in the Ford armoury is its commercial vehicle business where it is a brand leader.