The car manufacturer Ford will stop the assembly of cars in the Saarlouis factory. In fact, the plant will continue to produce the different versions of the Focus only up to mid 2025. Let’s not forget that from 2025 Ford will focus on electric, with two models on the basis Meb produced in Germany in Cologne, while the Valencia production site will replace the German one in Saarlouis where Focus is now produced.
The news was made official by Stuart Rowley, number one of the European branch, who said:
Valencia offers better prospects for the future, especially from an economic point of view. We are now trying to find alternatives to ensure a future for as many affected workers as possible.
Let’s not forget that the German plant takes approx 6,200 peoplewhich is why a specific task force will be set up and specific negotiations initiated with workers’ representatives and local institutions.
On the table there is also the sale to other manufacturers. At the moment, we do not plan to build any other models in Saarlouis. The reality is that making electric vehicles requires fewer people, Rowley added.
Not surprisingly, Ford’s goal is to focus more onelectric, at least in Europe. The same company has set as a goal to achieve the sale of 2 million battery-powered models by 2026of which 600,000 in the Old Continent.
This strategy confirms the willingness of the US manufacturer to abandon both the production and the sale of endothermic cars in Europe as early as 2030. Specifically, by mid-2026, the car manufacturer of the Blue Oval will offer at least one plug-in or electric version for each model. A similar strategy will also cover the commercial vehicles Ford: by 2024, the manufacturer will offer an electric or plug-in hybrid version for each model, while in 2030, two thirds of sales will be zero emissions.
