Ford to sell part of Spanish plant to Geely to build EVs, reports say

[Harley Lover]

Looks like decisions are being made for Valencia's future. Wonder how this will affect Ford's output in the remaining 'assembly halls'? Will plans for Bronco Sport production in Valencia be changed? So that this doesn't get buried in the quotation box, there's also this nugget in the linked article:"Geely and Ford are also reported to be exploring collaboration in software, electronics, and advanced driver-assistance systems — areas where Ford CEO Jim Farley has acknowledged Chinese automakers lead."

 

Quote

Ford is in discussions to sell an assembly hall at its Valencia, Spain, plant to China’s Geely Auto, according to Spanish newspaper reports.

Geely plans to build a model based on its GEA (Global Intelligent Electric Architecture) platform at the factory, Spanish outlet La Tribuna de Automocion reported. The platform can be used for small, compact, midsize and large cars with battery-electric or plug-in hybrid drivetrains.

Geely has already contacted suppliers around Valencia to discuss assembly plans, which Spanish reports describe as “very advanced.”

Geely could also build a Ford model based on the same platform, according to industry sources familiar with the talks, cited by La Tribuna de Automocion.

Geely will buy the Body 3 assembly hall at Valencia, which would allow Geely to operate its own separate production line, according to La Tribuna.

The hall is the plant’s most modern assembly area and was designed for Ford’s former CD4 midsize platform vehicles — the Mondeo, Galaxy, and S-Max — all of which have been discontinued.

The Ford Kuga, which runs mainly through Body 2 with limited work in Body 1, is the only model still produced in Valencia, leaving Body 3 underutilized.

 

Edited May 6 by Harley Lover
https://www.autonews.com/ford/ane-ford-spain-plant-geely-sale-evs-0506/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter-ANEBreakingNewsAlert-20260506

[rmc523]

let's cancel all products with questionable replacements until we have to dump the factory too....

 

I guess Farley is content to just be a badge in Europe...

Edited May 6 by rmc523

[twintornados]

Sounds like Kuga (European Escape) is on its way out too....

[Sherminator98]

23 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

I guess Farley is content to just be a badge in Europe...

 

I'm guessing they are going to concentrate on just Ford Pro products in the EU vs passenger car products.

 

Everything else will be either imported or rebadge/based on other manufacture platforms. 

[92merc]

Many European countries are allowing Chinese electric vehicles in.  Since Europeans don't drive as far as us Americans, the shorter distance is fine by them.

 

Nothing Ford has over there can complete with the Chinese vehicles.  Mostly on price.  So yeah, Ford is pulling out of a market they just can't command well.

[morgan20]

27 minutes ago, 92merc said:

Many European countries are allowing Chinese electric vehicles in.  

 

Yea, exactly. European customers are clamoring for the pricing, technology, and features that them Chinese electric vehicles offer. In Spain, Geely sells its EX5/E5 unibody blob crossover EV for under 28k €.

[twintornados]

1 hour ago, 92merc said:

....Ford is pulling out of a market they just can't command well.

 

That is de reguer for FoMoCo and has been for quite some time, sadly....

[mackinaw]

2 hours ago, 92merc said:

Many European countries are allowing Chinese electric vehicles in.  Since Europeans don't drive as far as us Americans, the shorter distance is fine by them.

 

Nothing Ford has over there can complete with the Chinese vehicles.  Mostly on price.  So yeah, Ford is pulling out of a market they just can't command well.

 

Stellantis is considering doing the same thing:

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chinas-hongqi-once-favoured-by-mao-eyes-stellantis-spain-plant-european-2026-04-28/

[Captainp4]

2 hours ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, exactly. European customers are clamoring for the pricing, technology, and features that them Chinese electric vehicles offer. In Spain, Geely sells its EX5/E5 unibody blob crossover EV for under 28k €.

That could be mistaken for a next gen Escape/Kuga if you squint and tilt your head a little to the left

[Zestyg]

56 minutes ago, twintornados said:

 

That is de reguer for FoMoCo and has been for quite some time, sadly....

As bad as it is, they’re not CDJR

[bzcat]

How many times do I have to say it for you guys to believe me? Farley's goal all along was to make Ford Europe exit building passenger vehicles.

 

This is why Romania was transferred to Ford Otosan.

This is why there is no attempt to fix Explorer and Capri because Farley wants to shut down Cologne.

This is why Escape/Kuga replacement was cancelled so no new tooling needed at Valencia. 

This is why Ford is not just using Renault platform for next gen EV but actually having Renault build it. 

 

Farley wants to get out of building passenger cars in Europe. 

 

 

Edited May 6 by bzcat

[Sherminator98]

1 hour ago, bzcat said:

How many times do I have to say it for you guys to believe me? Farley's goal all along was to make Ford Europe exit building passenger vehicles.

 

That is one way of stopping having duplication of effort too.

 

Plus you've heard zero information about the CE1 going to the EU or even China at this point. You'd think Ford would be saying something at this point about that. 

[akirby]

Europe passenger cars have been money pits for decades.  Given the current economic and political climate I wouldn't be surprised to see more mfrs pull out.

[twintornados]

1 hour ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

That is one way of stopping having duplication of effort too.

 

Plus you've heard zero information about the CE1 going to the EU or even China at this point. You'd think Ford would be saying something at this point about that. 

 

Exactly....if CE1 is that "game changing" (and I hope it is)....you would have thought that you heard something by now about it being planned for another plant...

[Joe771476]

China will own Ford in 10 years. Every one of my 10 or so predictions that I made 10 to 20 years earlier have come true. I truly hope I'm WRONG!

[twintornados]

14 hours ago, Joe771476 said:

China will own Ford in 10 years. Every one of my 10 or so predictions that I made 10 to 20 years earlier have come true. I truly hope I'm WRONG!

 

Not with the Ford family having the shares that actually count. 

[fordmantpw]

14 hours ago, Joe771476 said:

China will own Ford in 10 years. Every one of my 10 or so predictions that I made 10 to 20 years earlier have come true. I truly hope I'm WRONG!

 

Don't worry, you are.

[akirby]

15 hours ago, twintornados said:

 

Exactly....if CE1 is that "game changing" (and I hope it is)....you would have thought that you heard something by now about it being planned for another plant...

It will take several years to fill up Louisville and even then it would take a lot more projected volume to justify another plant.  Ford would rather have one full factory with more demand than capacity than to have two at 2/3 capacity and lower ATPs.

[Sherminator98]

1 minute ago, akirby said:

It will take several years to fill up Louisville and even then it would take a lot more projected volume to justify another plant.  Ford would rather have one full factory with more demand than capacity than to have two at 2/3 capacity and lower ATPs.

 

But what about an overseas? You'd think they'd be planning something for China, since that is the biggest EV market

 

[akirby]

25 minutes ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

But what about an overseas? You'd think they'd be planning something for China, since that is the biggest EV market

 

Why would you even think of trying to compete in the Chinese EV market?

 

Quote

China has aggressively overbuilt its electric vehicle (EV) sector, creating an estimated 3:1 production-to-sales ratio by late 2025. This industrial capacity surge, driven by state subsidies, has resulted in intense price wars, low-cost exports, and financial strain for hundreds of manufacturers. As of early 2026, domestic demand is slowing, causing exports to jump and triggering international trade tensions

 

[twintornados]

Well, Ford IS buying (or has completed the purchase) of the Suzuki Motors Rayong, Thailand plant. Supposed to be to expand T6 production for local markets in that region, but could it be also used for future CE1 production in the area as well? 

[morgan20]

1 hour ago, akirby said:

 Ford would rather have one full factory with more demand than capacity than to have two at 2/3 capacity and lower ATPs.

 

Yea, having worked at a (former) Ford parts plant that went from more demand than capacity to ultimate closure, I can understand that. But if Ford does indeed intend to market CE1 products in Europe, perhaps commercial vehicle oriented versions, it should be proactive about allocating a secondary facility in Europe. 

 

Can anyone here confirm that CE1 products are North America only at launch in 2027?

[akirby]

43 minutes ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, having worked at a (former) Ford parts plant that went from more demand than capacity to ultimate closure, I can understand that. But if Ford does indeed intend to market CE1 products in Europe, perhaps commercial vehicle oriented versions, it should be proactive about allocating a secondary facility in Europe. 

 

Can anyone here confirm that CE1 products are North America only at launch in 2027?

Oh they definitely need a European plant if they want to sell there.  But it appears the Chinese are invading Europe and dumping their subsidized EVs there too. 

[rmc523]

3 hours ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, having worked at a (former) Ford parts plant that went from more demand than capacity to ultimate closure, I can understand that. But if Ford does indeed intend to market CE1 products in Europe, perhaps commercial vehicle oriented versions, it should be proactive about allocating a secondary facility in Europe. 

 

Can anyone here confirm that CE1 products are North America only at launch in 2027?

 

I don't think we've seen any indication whatsoever that they're bringing CE1 to Europe (which doesn't make sense to me).

[rmc523]

It's Ford Authority, but I hadn't seen these figures before regarding the Bronco Sport from Valencia rumors (or at least that's what we assumed):

 

According to a new report from La Tribuna de Automoción, Ford has updated its product roadmap for the Valencia Assembly plant amid plans to sell part of the complex to Geely. As part of the shift, the plant is expected to produce up to three models - a Ford Kuga replacement, a coupe-like crossover, and a "multi-energy" utility vehicle with an internal code of CX735. Production of the next-generation lineup was initially pegged at 300,000 units - with 100,000 units for Europe, and 200,000 for North America. Now, the plant is expected to produce 183,000 units between three models, most likely the redesigned Kuga and what may be the latest addition to the Ford Bronco family.