Ford, which has owned its Cologne plant for nearly a century, plans to lay off roughly one in four employees at this facility.
Globally, the company employs 174,000 people, including 28,000 in Europe.
The U.S. automaker announced plans to reduce its European workforce by 4,000 within three years to lower costs. This decision comes amid weak demand for electric vehicles, a segment being pushed by European governments.
The majority of the cuts will affect Germany, where Ford intends to eliminate 2,900 jobs, primarily at the Cologne plant, which also serves as its European headquarters. Another 800 positions will be cut in the UK, with the remaining 300 spread across other EU countries.
A Quarter of Jobs to Be Cut in Cologne
The Cologne plant, which recently received a $2 billion investment for the production of two electric models, currently employs 11,500 people. Over the next three years, approximately one in four workers at this facility will lose their jobs. Just a few years ago, the plant employed nearly 20,000 workers.
Ford is grappling with declining sales not only in Germany but across Europe. Contributing factors include economic slowdown, the discontinuation of government subsidies for EV purchases, and waning consumer interest in electric cars in Europe’s largest automotive market.
The company also reports significant losses in the passenger vehicle segment, citing fierce competition and strict emissions regulations. Ford has criticized the lack of a clear and consistent agenda from European governments to support electric mobility.
Marcus Wassenberg, head of Ford’s German division, emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining a strong presence in Europe for future generations. He stated, “We must take tough but necessary measures to ensure Ford remains competitive in the European market.”
