Cologne, Germany – September 16, 2025
Ford confirmed it will cut up to 1,000 jobs at its Cologne factory, a key site for electric vehicle (EV) production in Europe. The decision follows weaker-than-expected demand for EVs across the continent, forcing the automaker to scale back operations.
📉 A Wider Restructuring Across Europe
The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring plan announced in November 2024, which includes the elimination of approximately 4,000 jobs in Europe. Germany has been hit the hardest:
| Country/Region | Jobs Affected | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 2,900 (including Cologne cuts) | Focused on EV production sites |
| Rest of Europe | 1,100 | Spread across different operations |
| Total | 4,000 | Workforce reduction plan |
⚙️ Impact on the Cologne Factory
- The Cologne plant is currently responsible for producing the electric version of the Explorer SUV.
- Starting January 2026, the plant will move from two shifts per day to just one.
- Ford stated it will prioritize voluntary departures and agreements before imposing compulsory layoffs.
📌 “In Europe, demand for electric vehicles is significantly below industry forecasts,” Ford said in an official statement.
⚡ The EV Market in Europe
While EV adoption continues to grow, it has slowed compared to projections:
- EV market share in Europe rose from 12.5% to 15.6% (by July).
- Growth, however, was weaker than expected, largely due to Germany cutting back government subsidies.
- Ford’s performance:
- Maintained a 3.3% market share.
- Sold 260,000 vehicles in the first seven months of the year.
- Registered a modest 0.7% sales increase overall.
📰 Key Takeaway
Ford’s decision underscores a broader challenge facing automakers: balancing heavy investments in electrification with consumer demand that remains sluggish without government incentives. For now, Ford is adapting its European operations to a market moving forward, but not as fast as the industry once hoped.
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