The Ford Focus is over, and so are thousands of jobs

Published

1 year ago

February 7, 2024

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ford focus on road — Photo by Wallace Chuck on Pexels.com

Ford is laying off some 3,500 workers in Germany as the automaker ends the production of the Focus – the once crazily popular car that never managed to get off the ground with its electric version – in 2025.

Next year, Ford is wrapping up production of the Focus at the Saarlouis plant, the only model built there, to transition to selling only BEV cars in Europe, reports Automotive News Europe.

Rumors started brewing about the future of the plant in two years ago, when Ford made the call to build its next-gen EVs in Spain and not reboot and retrain workers at Saarlouis. Ford and IG Metall have been in negotiations to determine the fate of the workers.

The Saarlouis plant currently employs about 4,500 people, with 1,000 of those jobs getting retraining options after 2025. Still, IG Metall – a union that holds tremendous political sway in Germany – says it has done its job is providing a soft landing for the workers: No forced layoffs will happen until 2032, and employees can opt to leave early with an “attractive and well-funded severance deal,” the report said.

“We could not achieve the best solution so we decided to make do with the second-best option: to make job cuts as expensive as possible for Ford,” said Joerg Koehlinger, district manager of IG Metall Mitte, according to Automotive News Europe.

Last October, Ford was reportedly in talks with a potential investor for the plant, but those plans fell through. BYD was reported to be among the companies interested, but the Chinese automaker has since announced it is opening its first European plant in Hungary.

Ford began production of its Focus Electric at Saarlouis in 2013, a few years after it was launched in the US and built in Michigan. But Ford pulled the plug on European sales in 2017, and 2018 in the US due to weak sales.

In December, Volkswagen too said it would cut thousands of jobs in Germany in an effort to slash $11 billion in costs. Volkswagen’s Zwickau site, which employs 10,000 and is the first to exclusively produce electric cars, has been shaving off jobs due to weakening production demands, it says, starting with 500 temporary jobs being cut next year. At VW software subsidiary Cariad, 2,000 of 6,5000 people employed there will lose their jobs over the next two years.

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Environment

CNBC Daily Open: The Israel-Iran conflict continues but markets seem unfazed

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2025

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CNBC Daily Open: The Israel-Iran conflict continues but markets seem unfazed

Smoke billows from an explosion at the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) building in Tehran on June 16, 2025.

AFP | Getty Images

The U.S. stock market rose and oil prices retreated amid news that Iran wants a ceasefire with Israel. As early as the first days of Israel’s strikes, Tehran reportedly asked several countries to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to call on Israel for an immediate ceasefire, NBC News reported, citing a Middle East diplomat with knowledge of the situation.

When asked at a news briefing Monday about the prospect of a ceasefire, however, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated he was not interested in one, according to NBC News. Netanyahu said Israel is “not backing down” from eliminating Iran’s nuclear program.

Regardless of how negotiations — or the lack thereof — play out, it’s clear that countries are placing renewed emphasis on defense. The U.S. Defense Department is turning to artificial intelligence to bolster its forces, announcing on Monday a one-year contract with OpenAI “to address critical national security challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains.”

Amid the Monday developments regarding armed conflict and defense considerations, the Trump Organization announced a mobile phone plan called Trump Mobile and a smartphone, clad in gold and emblazoned with an American flag, dubbed “T1.” Putting aside iffy ethical issues about the sitting U.S. president lending his name to consumer products, their unveiling seemed ill-timed and tone deaf. Perhaps the reception over Trump Mobile was spotty.

What you need to know today

Markets recover on hopes of containment
U.S. stocks rose Monday on news that Iran is reportedly seeking a ceasefire with Israel. The S&P 500 was up 0.94%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.75% and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.52%. Europe’s Stoxx 600 index added 0.36%. Some analysts, however, are warning that global investors may be underpricing the impact of a conflict between Israel and Iran.

Safe-haven assets dip
In another sign the markets are shrugging off the Israel-Iran conflict — which continued for the fourth consecutive day — both safe-haven assets and oil prices dipped Monday. At the end of the trading day stateside, spot gold prices fell 1.03%, while the dollar index dipped 0.07%. Meanwhile, U.S. crude fell 1.66% to settle at $71.77 and international benchmark Brent lost 1.35% to close at $73.23 a barrel.

‘Golden share’ in U.S. Steel
Shares of U.S. Steel rallied 5.1% Monday after Trump issued an executive order on Friday that allowed the firm and Nippon Steel to finalize their merger so long as they sign a national security agreement with the U.S. government. U.S. Steel said Friday that the agreement, which both companies have signed, includes a golden share for the U.S government, which would give it veto power over many decisions.

OpenAI wins contract from Defense Department
OpenAI has been awarded a $200 million one-year contract to provide the U.S. Defense Department with artificial intelligence tools, the latter announced Monday. It’s the first contract with OpenAI listed on the Department of Defense’s website. In December, OpenAI said it would collaborate with defense technology startup Anduril to deploy advanced AI systems for “national security missions.”

Trump Organization enters telecommunications
The Trump Organization, a company owned by the current U.S. President, on Monday announced a mobile phone plan and a $499 smartphone set to launch in September. The company’s new foray into telecommunications mainly comprises a licensing agreement. On Friday, the president reported that he had made more than $8 million in 2024 from various licensing agreements.

[PRO] What would it take for markets to react?
Equity and energy markets appeared to shake off concerns of a wider conflict in the Middle East on Monday, reversing some of the moves from late last week. Such a response to geopolitical conflict is not unusual, according to one strategist, who explained what it would take for markets to feel the effects of the hostilities.

And finally…

U.S. President Donald Trump raises a fist as he steps off of Air Force One upon arrival at Calgary International Airport, before the start of the G7 summit, in Alberta, Canada, June 15, 2025.

Dave Chidley | Afp | Getty Images

As G7 leaders meet, allies ask: Is Trump with us or against us?

As leaders of the world’s largest advanced economic powers gather in Canada for this year’s Group of Seven summit, ongoing trade instability and turmoil in Ukraine and the Middle East are set to dominate talks.

With uncertainty over those major issues largely arising from the White House’s economic and foreign policy, allies are likely to ask whether Trump stands with them, or against them on major geopolitical points.

Asked if he planned to announce any trade pacts at the summit as he left the White House on Sunday, Trump said: “We have our trade deals. All we have to do is send a letter, ‘This is what you’re going to have to pay.’ But I think we’ll have a few, few new trade deals,” in comments reported by The Associated Press.

Environment

T1 Energy’s (FKA FREYR) new 5 GW US solar factory leaps forward

Published

6 hours ago

June 16, 2025

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T1 Energy's (FKA FREYR) new 5 GW US solar factory leaps forward

T1 Energy solar factory — Image: AMLC Sandow Lakes

T1 Energy (NYSE: TE), formerly FREYR Battery, kicks off preparations for its new solar cell factory, set to be one of the largest in the US.

T1 Energy has chosen Yates Construction as the contractor for preconstruction services and site preparations for its planned $850 million, G2_Austin 5 GW Solar Cell Facility.

The G2_Austin site is in Milam County, Texas, in the Advanced Manufacturing and Logistix Campus at Sandow Lakes.

It’s expected to create up to 1,800 new direct US advanced manufacturing jobs. Construction is on track to kick off in mid-2025, and the facility is expected to begin producing cells by the end of 2026. There are currently far fewer solar cell manufacturing sites in the US than solar module factories, according to the SEIA.

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On December 24, FREYR announced that it had closed its acquisition of China-headquartered Trina Solar’s 5-gigawatt (GW), 1.35 million-square-foot solar panel factory in Wilmer, Texas. The company renamed the factory G1_Dallas, which employs more than 1,000 people and is now fully online.

Daniel Barcelo, T1’s chairman of the board and CEO, said, “Our facilities will manufacture solar cells and modules to invigorate our economy with abundant energy. We’re excited to work with Yates and Milam County to bring American advanced manufacturing to the heart of Texas and to unlock our most scalable energy resources.”

T1 Energy says it anticipates finalizing commercial terms with Yates Construction as General Contractor.

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Environment

Kia’s affordable EV2 may be small, but it looks bigger in person [Video]

Published

6 hours ago

June 16, 2025

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Kia's affordable EV2 may be small, but it looks bigger in person [Video]

The EV2 is set to arrive as Kia’s smallest and most affordable electric vehicle next year. With its official debut coming up, the electric SUV was spotted driving on public roads. The electric SUV may be small, but it looks bigger in person.

Kia’s new EV2 is an affordable, small electric SUV

Kia has yet to say precisely how big the EV2 will be, but it’s expected to be around 4,000 mm (157″), or slightly smaller than the EV3 at 4,300 mm (169.3″). That’s even more compact than the outgoing Chevy Bolt EV (163.2″).

During its EV Day event in April, Kia unveiled the Concept EV2, a preview of the entry-level EV that will sit below the EV3.

Although it’s the brand’s smallest EV, Kia promises that it will feel larger when you’re inside. The EV2 sits higher than you’d expect with a wide front end, giving it a bigger presence on the road, similar to the three-row EV9.

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We got a sneak peek at Kia’s affordable EV last month after it was spotted testing on public roads in Korea, but the latest sighting gives us a closer look at the EV2 in its production form. The new video from HealerTV reveals a few details that could look a little different from the concept.

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Kia’s new entry-level EV2 spotted driving in public (Source: HealerTV)

The footage shows what appears to be different daytime running lights (DRLs). When Kia unveiled the Concept EV2 in April, it featured a unique split vertical headlight design.

The EV2 spotted driving still has the split design, but both the inner and outer lights appear to be angled more inwards. It’s not a huge difference, but given most of Kia’s new EVs look almost identical to the concepts, this could be something to keep an eye on.

Prices, specs, and more

Despite being an entry-level model, the EV2 is still equipped with advanced technology and features, including vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, which allows it to power a campsite, home appliances, and other electronics. With OTA updates, it will only get smarter and more advanced over time.

The interior will feature Kia’s new ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit), which features dual 12.3″ driver cluster and touchscreen navigation screens in a panoramic display.

Like its other new EV models, it’s also expected to include a 5″ climate control display for nearly 30″ of screen space.

Kia plans to launch the EV2 next year in Europe and “other global regions.” For those in the US, sorry to disappoint, but it’s not expected to make the trip overseas. We do have the EV4, Kia’s first electric sedan, to look forward to.

Kia-EV2-interior — Kia Concept EV2 (Source: Kia)

We will learn prices and final specs closer to launch, but given it will sit below the EV3, it will likely be cheaper than that.

The EV3 starts at £32,995 ($44,800) in the UK and €35,990 ($41,600) in Europe. Kia’s CEO, Ho-Sung Song, told Autocar in 2023 that the company aims to launch the EV2 at around £25,000 ($32,000) in the UK. With new battery technology and other advancements, it could be even more affordable when it arrives next year.

Kia isn’t the only automaker gearing up to launch a new entry-level EV. Last week, we got a glimpse of the upcoming Volkswagen ID.2 after it was spotted in public testing.

Should Kia bring the EV2 to the US? Would you buy one for around $30,000 or even slightly less? Drop us a comment below and let us know.

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