Ford’s EV struggles continue as ‘rapidly deteriorating’ market conditions take a toll
Ford says a “rapidly deteriorating” EV market is to blame as it plans to slow the output of more electric models. Starting next week, employees at Ford’s Cologne EV plant in Germany will be put on short-term work hours.
Ford slows EV output as market conditions intensify
According to the German newspaper outlet Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (via Automobilwoche), employees will alternate working one week with the next week off.
The reduced work hours will last until the Christmas holidays. A Ford spokesperson told the newspaper, “We can confirm that Ford will apply to the Federal Employment Agency for short-time work due to the rapidly deteriorating market conditions for electric vehicles.”
Ford invested $2 billion to prepare the facility to produce its next-gen electric models for the European market. It currently builds two EV models, the Electric Explorer and Capri.
After kicking off production of its first all-electric Explorer in June, Ford added its second model, the Capri EV, just last month. Both are based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform as part of a 2020 partnership.
“We are producing more than we can sell,” the German publication quoted Ford saying in an internal memo.
The news comes after Ford drastically downsized leadership in the region. Earlier this month, Ford lost two of its most experienced leadership team members in Germany.
Christian Weingärtner and Rene Wolf both resigned on November 1, 2024, leaving the company with just two directors. That’s down from nine earlier this year.
Electrek’s Take
Ford is not the only automaker struggling as the European market shifts to electric vehicles. Volkswagen, Nissan, Stellantis, and others have all announced plans to reduce their workforce.
Although the company said “rapidly deteriorating market conditions” are to blame, global EV sales are still growing.
According to new data from Rho Motion, October was another record-breaking month for global EV sales. Global electric vehicle sales are now up 24% (13.3 million) YOY through October 2024.
China leads EV market growth through the first ten months of 2024, with EV sales surging 38% year-over-year (YOY). In the EU, EFTA, and UK, EV sales are down 3% YOY, with reduced government incentives in Germany, the largest market.
Despite Ford, VW, and others slowing production, Chinese EV makers, like BYD, expect sales to accelerate with local production.
Ford’s EV struggles are not limited to Europe. In the US, Ford will stop building F-150 Lightning models next week at its Rouge EV plant in Michigan for nearly two months.
Ford spokesperson Jessica Enoch confirmed in an email to Electrek, “We continue to adjust production for an optimal mix of sales growth and profitability.”
The first day down will be November 18, with production resuming on January 6, 2025. The pause includes the holiday break week, starting December 23, at all US Ford plants.
Ford’s model e EV business lost another $1.2 billion in the third quarter. Through the first nine months of 2024, the company has lost $3.7 billion on EVs. The company expects its EV unit to lose around $5 billion in total in 2024.
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Leading yard operation 3PL YMX Logistics has announced plans to deploy fully twenty (20) of Orange EV’s fully electric Class 8 terminal trucks at a number of distribution and manufacturing sites across North America.
As the shipping and logistics industries increasingly move to embrace electrification, yard operations have proven to be an almost ideal use case for EVs, enabling companies like Orange EV, which specialize in yard hostlers or terminal tractors, to drive real, impactful change. To that end, companies like YMX are partnering with Orange EV.
“This relationship between YMX and Orange EV is a significant step forward in transforming yard operations across North America,” said Matt Yearling, CEO of YMX Logistics. “Besides the initial benefits of reduction in emissions and carbon footprint, our customers are also seeing improvements in the overall operational efficiency and seeking to expand. Our team members have also been sharing positive feedback about their new equipment and highlighting the positive impact on their health and day-to-day activities.”
This Orange looks good in blue
One of the most interesting aspects of this story – beyond the Orange EV HUSK-e XP’s almost unbelievable 180,000 lb. GCWR spec. – is that this isn’t a story about California’s ports, which mandate EVs. Instead, YMX is truly deploying these trucks throughout the country, with at least four currently in Chicago (and more on the way).
“Our collaboration with YMX Logistics represents a powerful stride in delivering sustainable yard solutions at scale for enterprise customers,” explains Wayne Mathisen, CEO of Orange EV. “With rising demand for electric yard trucks, our joint efforts ensure that more companies can access the environmental, financial, and operational benefits of electrification … this is a win for the planet, the workforce, and the bottom line of these organizations.”
We interviewed Orange EV founder Kurt Neutgens on The Heavy Equipment Podcast a few months back, but if you’re not familiar with these purpose-built trucks, it’s worth a listen.
HEP-isode 26
SOURCE | IMAGES: YMX Logistics.
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On today’s thrilling episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got the all-new Hyundai IONIQ 9 and its “a “rolling living room” pivoting captain’s chairs, Kia gets a go-fast 7 passenger SUV and an updated EV6, while Honda announces plans to start producing solid-state batteries at its new facility in just a few weeks.
We’ve also got big news for American workers – a Minnesota power company is ditching coal for solar while ExxonMobil and LG Chem get to work extracting thousands of tons of lithium out of Tennessee’s soil.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations sitewide. Learn more by clicking here.
You can watch the episode, below.
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Read more: Farm-fegnugen? Volkswagen rolls out an electric tractor.
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Arevon Energy has kicked off operations at Vikings Solar-plus-Storage – one of the US’s first utility-scale solar peaker plants.
The $529 million project in Imperial County, California, near Holtville, features 157 megawatts of solar power paired with 150 megawatts/600 megawatt hours of battery storage.
Vikings Solar-plus-Storage is designed to take cheap daytime solar power and store it for use during more expensive peak demand times, like late afternoons and evenings. The battery storage system can quickly respond to changes in demand, helping tackle critical grid needs.
Vikings leverages provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that support affordable clean energy, strengthen grid resilience, boost US manufacturing, and create good jobs.
The Vikings project has already brought significant benefits to the local area. It employed over 170 people during construction, many local workers, and boosted nearby businesses like restaurants, hotels, and stores. On top of that, Vikings will pay out more than $17 million to local governments over its lifespan.
“Vikings’ advanced design sets the standard for safe and reliable solar-plus-storage configurations,” said Arevon CEO Kevin Smith. “The project incorporates solar panels, trackers, and batteries that showcase the growing strength of US renewable energy manufacturing.”
The project includes Tesla Megapack battery systems made in California, First Solar’s thin-film solar panels, and smart solar trackers from Nextracker. San Diego-based SOLV Energy handled the engineering, procurement, and construction work.
San Diego Community Power (SDCP) will buy the energy from the Vikings project under a long-term deal, helping power nearly 1 million customer accounts. SDCP and Arevon have also signed an agreement for the 200 MW Avocet Energy Storage Project in Carson, California, which will start construction in early 2025.
Vikings is named after the Holtville High School mascot, and Arevon is giving back to the local community by funding scholarships for deserving Holtville High students.
Arevon is a major renewable energy developer across the US and a key player in California, with nearly 2,500 MW in operation and more than 1,250 MW under construction.
Read more: Minnesota’s largest coal plant goes solar: Sherco Solar comes online
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