Overview

• IG Metall has initiated warning strikes at Ford Germany's Cologne facilities, demanding severance packages and insolvency-protected safety nets for employees.
• The strikes follow Ford Germany's rejection of union demands and the U.S. parent company's withdrawal of its financial guarantee, raising concerns over potential insolvency.
• Ford Germany's management has ruled out layoffs due to operational reasons until 2032, but workers fear job losses in the event of insolvency.
• The company has allocated hundreds of millions of euros to a business plan aimed at stabilizing operations, while sales of its electric SUVs have underperformed expectations.
• Ford Germany's workforce has been significantly reduced over recent years, dropping from nearly 20,000 employees in 2018 to approximately 11,500 currently.