Ford in crisis: 2,900 jobs lost – What does that mean for Cologne?

Ford plans to cut 2,900 jobs over the next two years. This was reported by employees of the development department, Sylvia and Thomas Grunert. The main reason for this step is the poor sales figures of high-priced electric SUVs. Despite investing over 2 billion euros in converting the plant, Ford has stopped producing small cars.

The Grunerts are worried about their professional future, as are other employees. The sales crisis that is affecting Ford also has consequences for other companies, such as the traditional company Kämper from the Sauerland. In Cologne it is estimated that one in four jobs will be cut, as stated on the website daily news was reported.

Production and market conditions

Ford is currently producing the new Explorer electric SUV, but demand for it is extremely low. Hundreds of Explorers sit unsold in the company's parking lots in Cologne, while production has fallen from 2,000 Fiestas per day to around 600 cars per day. The entry into the electric car market appears to have come too late, and experts are calling for the creation of a European battery value chain as German carmakers have fallen behind in competition with Chinese suppliers who benefit from government support.

It was also found that the environmental bonus for electric cars in Germany will no longer apply at the end of 2023, which will further exacerbate the sales situation. Uta Schröter, a development engineer at Ford, expressed pessimism about the company's current strategy. According to IG Metall spokesman David Lüdtke, the dismantling plans are viewed as a “dismantling of the site”. Around 100 employees took part in a company meeting and carried posters that read: “Where is the car strategy?”, as stated on the company’s website ARD media library was reported.