Ford is cutting another 4,000 jobs in Europe as it loses ground in the global EV race
Ford is slashing another 4,000 jobs in Europe as it struggles to keep pace with the market’s shift to electric vehicles (EVs). The American automaker said a “highly disruptive” EV market and new competition are causing significant losses in the region. Ford’s announcement comes as China’s leading EV maker, BYD, is quickly catching up in global deliveries.
Ford is cutting more jobs in Europe amid EV struggles
“Ford has been in Europe for more than 100 years,” the company’s European vice president for Transportation and Partnerships, Dave Johnston, said on Wednesday.
As the market shifts to EVs and new competition arises, Ford is fighting for its share. The company has incurred “significant losses” in recent years amid a “highly disruptive” influx of new EV challengers.
Ford plans to cut another 4,000 jobs in Europe by the end of 2027 as part of its restructuring. The company blamed the “weak economic situation” and “lower-than-expected” demand for electric cars.
The planned cuts will primarily affect Germany, but some will also affect the UK. Ford said in a press release that other European markets will see “minimal reductions. “
Ford is also slowing the output of its new electric Explorer and Capri, both of which were built at its revamped Cologne EV plant in Germany.
Last week, German newspaper Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (via Automobilwoche) reported that the plant’s employees would be put on short-term work hours. A Ford spokesperson confirmed the move, citing a “rapidly deteriorating” EV market.
Ford confirmed the plans on Wednesday, saying it will result in short-term working days at the Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
An urgent call to action
In a letter to the German government, Ford’s CFO, John Lawler, reiterated the company’s commitment to Europe and the 2035 emissions target. However, he also issued an urgent call to action for all stakeholders to work together to advance the transition. Lawler added:
What we lack in Europe and Germany is an unmistakable, clear policy agenda to advance e-mobility, such as public investments in charging infrastructure, meaningful incentives to help consumers make the shift to electrified vehicles, improving cost competitiveness for manufacturers, and greater flexibility in meeting CO2 compliance targets.
Despite the restructuring, Ford still wants to be a player in Europe. The next generation of Ford vehicles in Europe will be “software-defined” with a “differentiated” design.
The company will focus on its commercial Ford Pro business while competing in select passenger vehicle segments to drive profit growth.
Ford invested $2 billion into its Cologne plant to prepare it for EV production. After the first electric Explorer rolled off the assembly line in June, Ford added its second EV, the new Capri, just last month.
The American automaker has drastically downsized leadership in Germany this year. Earlier this month, Ford lost two of its most experienced leadership team members. It’s now down to two directors from nine earlier this year.
Electrek’s Take
Ford’s restructuring in Europe comes as EV leaders, like China’s BYD, continue gaining ground in the global auto market.
After dominating its home market, BYD and other Chinese EV makers are looking overseas to drive growth.
BYD is already a leading EV brand in key regions like Southeast Asia and Central and South America, but it expects sales to accelerate in the next few months. The EV giant opened its first manufacturing plant in Thailand earlier this year, and more are planned for Hungary, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Turkey.
According to Bloomberg, BYD is rapidly approaching Ford in global deliveries. Although BYD is best known for its low-cost EVs, like the Seagull, which starts at under $10,000 (69,800 yuan) in China, it’s quickly expanding into new segments like pickup trucks, mid-size SUVs, and luxury models.
Ford’s CEO Jim Farley warned rivals earlier this year that if they fail to keep up with the Chinese, “20% to 30% of your revenue is at risk.”
“As the CEO of a company that had trouble competing with the Japanese and the South Koreans, we have to fix this problem,” Farley said.
While Ford’s Model e EV unit is on track to lose between $5 billion and $5.5 billion this year, BYD just reported a record $1.6 billion (RMB 11.6 billion) in Q3 net income amid surging EV sales. October was BYD’s eighth straight record sales month, with over 500,000 passenger vehicles sold for the first time.
Ford is betting on smaller, more affordable EVs to turn things around with its new low-cost platform. The first EV model powered by the platform, a new electric truck, is due out in 2027.
Can Ford turn things around? Or will it be too little too late? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Massachusetts is launching a first-of-its-kind statewide vehicle-to-everything (V2X) pilot program. This two-year initiative, backed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), aims to deploy 100 bidirectional chargers to homes, school buses, municipal, and commercial fleet participants across the state.
These bidirectional chargers will enable EVs to serve as mobile energy storage units, collectively providing an estimated 1.5 MW of new storage capacity. That means EVs won’t just be getting power – they’ll be giving it back to the grid, helping to balance demand and support renewable energy use. The program is also focused on ensuring that low-income and disadvantaged communities have access to this cutting-edge tech.
The Massachusetts pilot is one of the largest state-led V2X initiatives in the US and is designed to tackle key challenges in deploying bidirectional charging technology. By strategically placing these chargers in a variety of settings, the program aims to identify and resolve barriers to wider adoption of V2X technology.
Massachusetts EV owners and fleet operators enrolled in the program will get bidirectional chargers capable of both vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and backup power operations at no cost. Here’s what they stand to gain:
- No-cost charging infrastructure: Bidirectional charging stations and installation are fully covered for participants.
- Grid resilience: With an estimated 1.5 MW of new flexible and distributed storage assets, the program strengthens Massachusetts’ energy infrastructure.
- Clean energy integration: V2G technology allows EVs to charge when renewable energy is available and discharge stored energy when it’s not, supporting the state’s clean energy goals.
- Backup power: EV batteries can be used as backup power sources during outages.
- Revenue opportunities: Some participants can earn money by sending stored energy back to the grid.
Clean energy solutions firm Resource Innovations and vehicle-grid integration tech company The Mobility House are leading the program’s implementation. “With the charging infrastructure provided through this program, we’re eliminating financial barriers and enabling school districts, homeowners, and fleets to access reliable backup power,” said Kelly Helfrich of Resource Innovations. “We aim to create a scalable blueprint for V2X programs nationwide.”
“Bidirectional charging benefits vehicle owners by providing backup power and revenue opportunities while strengthening the grid for the entire community,” added Russell Vare of The Mobility House North America.
The program is open for enrollment now through June 2025. For more details, visit the MassCEC V2X Program webpage. A list of eligible bidirectional vehicles can be found on that page.
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Compton, California, has unveiled 25 new electric school buses – the school district’s first – and 25 Tellus 180 kW DC fast chargers.
Compton Unified School District (CUSD) in southern Los Angeles County is putting 17 Thomas Built Type A and eight Thomas Built Type C electric school buses on the road this spring. In addition to working with Thomas Built, CUSD also collaborated with electrification-as-a-service provider Highland Electric Fleet, utility Southern California Edison, and school transportation provider Durham School Services.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program awarded funds for the vehicles in the program’s first round. EPA also awarded CUSD funds for the third round of the program and anticipates introducing an additional 25 EV school buses in the future.
“I can’t stress enough how vital grants like these are and the need for continued support from our partners in government at the state and federal level to fund additional grants for school districts and their transportation partners that are ready to deliver and operate zero-emission buses,” said Tim Wertner, CEO of Durham School Services.
CUSD, which serves Compton and parts of the cities of Carson and Los Angeles, currently serves more than 17,000 students at 36 sites. The district has a high school graduation rate of 93% and an 88% college acceptance rate. One in 11 children in Los Angeles County have asthma, which makes the need for emissions-free school transportation that much more pressing.
Read more: Thomas Built Buses debuts its next-gen electric school bus
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After cutting lease prices by $200 this month, the Rivian R1S is now surprisingly affordable. It may even be a better deal than the new Tesla Model Y.
Rivian cuts R1S lease prices by $200 per month
Rivian’s R1S is one of the hottest electric SUVs on the market. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out.
With some of the best deals to date, now may be the time. Rivian lowered R1S lease prices earlier this month to just $599 for 36 months, with $8,493 due at signing (30,000 miles). The offer is for the new 2025 R1S Adventure Dual Standard, which starts at $75,900.
Before the price cut, the R1S was listed at $799 per month, with $8,694 due at signing. The electric SUV now has the same lease price as the R1T, despite costing $6,000 more.
The 2025 R1T Dual Motor starts at $69,900, essentially making it a free $6,000 upgrade. At that price, you may even want to consider it over the new Tesla Model Y.
Tesla’s new Model Y Launch Series arrived with lease prices of $699 for 36 months. With $4,393 due at signing, the effective rate is $821 per month, or just $13 less than the R1S at $834. However, the 2025 R1S costs nearly $15,000 more, with the Model Y Launch Series price at $59,990.
Rivian is also offering an “All-Electric Upgrade Offer” of up to $6,000 for those looking to trade-in their gas-powered car, but base models are not included.
| Starting Price | Range (EPA-est.) |
|
| 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Standard | $75,900 | 270 miles |
| 2026 Tesla Model Y Launch Series | $59,990 | 327 miles |
To take advantage of the Rivian R1S lease deal, you must order it before March 15 and take delivery on or before March 31, 2025.
The 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Standard Motor has an EPA-estimated range of up to 270 miles. Tesla’s new Model Y Launch Series gets up to 327 miles.
Which electric SUV would you choose? Rivian’s R1S or the new Tesla Model Y? If you’re ready to check them out for yourself, you can use our links below to find deals on the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model Y in your area.
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