Overview

• Ford confirmed up to 1,000 roles will be eliminated at its Cologne electric-vehicle facility, with departures largely via voluntary buyouts and separation agreements.
• The plant will shift from two daily shifts to a single shift starting in January 2026, with production reviewed and adjusted to demand; the site builds the electric Explorer SUV.
• Company statements cite European EV demand running well below industry forecasts, with growth slowing after Germany scaled back purchase subsidies, according to ACEA data.
• The move follows a November 2024 plan to cut about 4,000 positions across Europe and the UK, including roughly 2,900 roles in Germany.
• Related workforce reductions have been reported in South Africa, where more than 470 job cuts are planned across two plants, reflecting a broader realignment of operations.