In a bold move signalling a decisive shift towards electric mobility, Ford Motor Company has announced a major restructuring of its European operations, resulting in the loss of 3,800 jobs. The sweeping changes are designed to streamline the company and position it at the forefront of the electric vehicle (EV) market.
The vast majority of the cuts—approximately 2,300 positions—will affect product development roles in Germany. An additional 1,300 jobs will be eliminated in the UK, primarily at the company's technical centre in Dunton, Essex. This strategic decision reflects the changing nature of automotive engineering, as the industry moves away from traditional internal combustion engines.
Cologne Transforms into an Electric Vehicle Hub
The heart of Ford's new European strategy will be its manufacturing plant in Cologne, Germany. The facility is being radically repurposed to become a dedicated electric vehicle production site. This transformation is a central pillar of Ford's plan to offer an all-electric lineup in Europe by 2035.
The announcement, made at a works council meeting in Cologne, underscores the painful but necessary transition facing the global auto industry. Martin Sander, head of Ford's European electric car division, stated the company must 'fully reinvent itself' to remain competitive in the new automotive landscape.
A Smaller, More Agile Workforce for an Electric Future
The job reductions will be achieved through voluntary programmes, including severance packages and early retirement schemes. Ford emphasises that the restructuring is not just about cuts, but about building a smaller, more focused, and more agile team with the specific skills needed for electric and connected vehicle development.
This move follows a similar trend across the industry, as legacy carmakers grapple with the immense technological and financial challenges of pivoting to electric power. Ford's restructuring is a clear signal that the era of the internal combustion engine is winding down, making way for a new, electric-driven chapter in automotive history.
