Overview

• The new facility began series production in June to assemble 52 kWh, 77 kWh and 79 kWh battery packs for the Explorer and Capri models.
• A 180-strong workforce and 190 robots assemble each battery from 2,775 components along a two-kilometre production line.
• The plant handles only pack assembly and continues to source battery cells and modules from external suppliers.
• The opening follows May’s strike at the nearly century-old Cologne site over planned cuts and short-time work.
• Despite a nearly €2 billion upgrade and a potential €4.4 billion capital injection, EV sales remain below expectations and 2,900 jobs will be cut by 2027.