Ford aims to reduce its European workforce by 4,000, including around 800 roles in the UK, as it navigates the slowing demand for electric vehicles (EVs). This move represents 14% of Ford’s European team and 2.3% of its global workforce, totalling 174,000 employees. In the UK, the company currently employs 5,300 people.
The job cuts will primarily impact administrative, development, and commercial roles, with the reductions expected to conclude by 2027. Most layoffs will occur in Germany and the UK, while other European markets will see only minor changes. Ford attributes the downsizing to a push for a “more cost-competitive structure” and the mounting challenges facing the EV market.
“Ford has been in Europe for more than 100 years. We are proud of our new product portfolio for Europe and committed to building a thriving business in Europe for generations to come. It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice president for transformation and partnerships.
The company cited a lack of government support for EV adoption and increasing competition from subsidised Chinese auto-makers as key factors behind the decision. Moreover, Ford aims to revise production schedules for its upcoming Explorer and Capri models, leading to temporary production halts at its Cologne plant in early 2025.
Ford emphasised that European auto-makers struggle with “unprecedented competitive, regulatory, and economic headwinds.” These include a mismatch between consumer demand for EVs and the regulatory push for lower CO2 emissions. The company has called for greater collaboration among industry stakeholders to stabilize market conditions and foster growth.
The move comes amid broader industry challenges, with other auto-makers scaling back operations. Earlier this month, Nissan announced a global reduction of 9,000 jobs and significant pay cuts for its CEO to mitigate losses. Last month, Volkswagen revealed plans to close at least three factories in Germany, reduce pay by 10%, and consider tens of thousands of job redundancies.