Ford plans massive layoffs overseas in favor of EV development, inciting Europe-wide union threats
New details of Ford Motor Company planning thousands of job cuts in Europe continue to emerge following a report from media last week. The layoffs will mostly affect those Ford employees working in vehicle development, especially in Germany and the UK, although job cuts to other Ford facilities are apparently in the works as well. The layoffs come as Ford looks to shift its production strategy to larger vehicles and EVs, but news of the cuts is already triggering unions in Europe to threaten to step in.
Ford of Europe is the subsidiary of the American automaker that develops and manufactures vehicles for markets overseas. With over fifty years of operations, Ford’s Cologne, Germany HQ oversees ten different manufacturing facilities across seven countries in Europe, including a new solar power plant at its Spain location.
In recent years, Ford has remained quite open about its plans for the future, which include a full embrace of electrification, no matter the short term costs. While such a quest is admirable, it is not without its fair share of collateral damage as the legacy automaker phases out ICE vehicle production jobs in favor of electric vehicle assembly processes.
Last summer, we reported that Ford was laying off 8,000 US employees, mostly those assembling gas vehicles. At the same time, Ford was seemingly gearing up for second reckoning in Europe, adapting a similar focus on electrification in a market that looks to completely ban all combustion sales by 2035.
In December of 2022, we were reporting that Ford was strategizing to sell “American heritage” to customers in Europe, abandoning smaller ICE sedans for larger SUVs, crossovers, and electric vehicles – again similar to its approach in the states.
Like the US last summer, Ford employees in Europe may soon feel the wrath of a green wave as the automaker plans to lay off thousands in a massive restructuring; so much so that worker’s unions are on the cusp of stepping in.
Ford to fire thousands in Europe to refocus on SUVs and EVs
During a meeting at Ford of Europe’s headquarters in Cologne today, employees were told that a majority of the job losses would come in product development as the automaker shifts away from smaller combustion models like the Fiesta and Focus, in favor of EVs like the Mustang Mach-E.
According to local press reports in Europe, 2,500 to 4,000 product development jobs of the 6,250 currently employed by Ford could get axed.
German union IG Metall stated that a majority of the layoffs will hit Germany and will include a reduction of administrative roles at HQ, including up to 1,900 layoffs in Cologne alone. That said, other Ford facilities in Europe will reportedly also see major job reductions.
Ford’s Merkenich facility where it currently develops the compact sedans mentioned above, may see as many as 3,800 jobs go as those ICE models are phased out. Reports say Ford’s research center in Aachen, Germany, and technical center in the UK will also face some job cuts.
Ford Europe employees were told that total job loss numbers will not be finalized until February, but unions supporting those employees are already standing by to step in if need be. Per IG Metall:
If negotiations between the works council and management in coming weeks do not ensure the future of workers, we will join the process. We will not hold back from measures that could seriously impact the company not just in Germany but Europe-wide.
Having unions in Europe involved could certainly affect Ford’s production output overseas, should the employees band together and potentially strike in support of their fired colleagues. This will be an ongoing saga to watch and Ford finalizes its layoffs and shifts its development again toward an all-electric future.
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A dozen Tesla vehicles burned at a store in Toulouse, France. Arson is suspected amid global protests and vandalism attacks against Tesla and Elon Musk.
Last night, a dozen Tesla vehicles burned down at Tesla’s retail and service location in Plaisance-du-Touch near Toulouse, France.
Firefighters arrived on the scene at around 4 a.m. and contained the fire to the vehicles. Eight of them were completely destroyed, and four were greatly damaged. The damages are estimated at over 700,000 euros.
According to the local news (translated from French), the police suspected arson as a hole was found in a fence, and threats had been made over the last few weeks. The Tesla location remained closed all day.
Tesla is currently being protested by anti-fascist groups around the world, especially in the US, where many are targeting Tesla to protest against Elon Musk’s involvement in the US government.
In France, there were a few protests planned, but some extremist groups are calling for widespread arson against Tesla stores:
I won’t share the link to the article since it gives step-by-step instructions on how to burn down Tesla stores without getting caught, but the manifesto explains that they are going after Tesla as a “symbol of capitalism,” although they also list a dozen other reasons including the fact that they think it’s “doable and cheap.”
Electrek’s Take
This is getting nuts. It’s not only dangerous, but it’s also not super effective in achieving the goal they claim to want to achieve.
Have they never heard of insurance? Tesla is having issues selling cars right now. You are burning unsold inventory that they can then claim to their insurance.
Sure, it disrupts their operations for a short period of time, but it’s not worth it.
Their manifesto does say to avoid violence and not to target vehicles owned by individuals – though it doesn’t sound like a strict rule for them, but I think these people are likely going to end up in jail for having achieved nothing.
The protests and boycotts are going strong. You don’t need to burn cars to make yourself heard.
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Environment
Ford F-150 Lightning sales have been falling for months: What’s going on with the EV pickup?
Is Ford’s electric pickup in trouble? Sales have been down for months, and February showed no relief. What’s going on with the Ford F-150 Lightning?
Ford F-150 Lightning sales drop again in February 2025
Ford’s US sales dropped by 9% last month. Although electrified vehicles, including EVs and hybrids, both notched double-digit growth, sales of Ford’s gas-powered (ICE) models, which accounted for over 85% of deliveries, fell nearly 13%.
Hybrids saw higher demand with sales up 27.5% to 15,357, while EV sales increased 15% to 7,326. The Mustang Mach-E was a bright spot with 3,312 models sold in February, up 13% from the prior year.
With 6,841 Mach-Es sold through the first three months of 2025, Ford’s electric crossover SUV remains a top-selling EV in the US.
Ford’s electric pickup didn’t fare as well. F-150 Lightning Sales were down nearly 15% last month with only 2,199 units sold. Through March, Ford has sold 15% fewer Lightning models than it did at this time last year.
Sales of the electric pickup have been slipping for months now. In the final three months of 2024, F-150 Lightning sales were down 10%.
The Lightning, alongside Rivian’s R1T, are no longer the only electric pickups on the market. Ford is facing new competition with the Tesla Cybertruck, Chevy Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV, arriving.
According to Cox Automotive, the Tesla Cybertruck slipped past the Lightning to become the fifth best-selling EV in the US last year with nearly 39,000 units sold. Ford’s Lightning was sixth with just over 33,500 models sold.
Ford extended its “Power Promise” promo earlier this year to boost demand, giving EV buyers a Level 2 home charger and other benefits, but Lightning sales are still down.
The American automaker cut Lightning production at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center last year, citing slower-than-expected demand. A new report from Automotive News claims Ford is now ending a pilot program to stock and distribute EVs through regional hubs after it failed to catch on. It was designed to speed up deliveries.
Although Ford plans to launch a smaller midsize electric pickup, it won’t arrive until at least two more years. With new competition, like the Ram 1500 REV and Volkswagen Scout pickup, hitting the market over the next few years, Ford may find it even harder to attract buyers.
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Costco’s Auto Program recently introduced some new member-only incentives, and the 2025 Volvo EX90 BEV is now on its list.
Volvo is offering Costco Executive Members $2,000 off the 2025 EX90. Costco Gold Star and Business members are eligible for $1,500 off. The incentives are available on all versions of the Volvo EX90 for members who purchase or lease from February 24 to April 30, 2025. It’s the only non-GM EV that’s that’s eligible for an incentive through the EV program.
The offer is compatible with A-Plan pricing for employees, as well as Affinity Pricing for teachers and first responders. Costco members will have had to have been members as of February 23 and be the primary members on the Costco account to qualify.
However, CarsDirect gave the heads up on how buyers can get up to $10,000 off the EX90’s MSRP. As we stated, if you’re a Costco Executive Member, that’s $2,000 off. Then, add the $7,500 EV Lease Allowance and a $500 loyalty discount on leases if you currently own or lease a Volvo or have owned or leased a Volvo within the past six months.
With the destination fee included, the base EX90 MSRP starts at $81,290, so that brings it down to $71,290, a more than 12% discount, a pretty good deal.
The 2025 AWD Volvo EX90, which can seat seven passengers comfortably, has a range of up to 310 miles and is NACS-compatible. It has a 510 hp engine, 110 kWh battery capacity, and can go from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
Read more: Review: Volvo EX90 is a smooth AWD 7-seat luxury kid-hauler
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