Ford plans to cut thousands of jobs in Europe

American automaker Ford plans to cut four thousand jobs in Europe by 2027 due to heavy losses in recent years. This was reported by DW on Wednesday, November 20.

The automaker announced its intention to cut 14% of its workforce in European countries by 2027, amounting to around 2,900 cuts in Germany, 800 in the UK and another 300 in other EU countries.

In a statement, Ford emphasized that European automakers “face significant competitive and economic challenges while also addressing the gap between carbon dioxide (CO2) emission regulations and consumer demand for electrified cars.”

It was noted that the automaker needs to take decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe.

The company, in particular, plans to reduce working hours for its employees at a plant in the German city of Cologne, where about 11,500 people work.

Ford executives in Berlin called for improved market conditions for the sale of electric vehicles.

In a letter to the German government, Ford Chief Financial Officer John Lawler said Germany and Europe needed “a clear, transparent policy agenda” to promote electric mobility that would include “public investment in charging infrastructure, significant incentives… and greater flexibility to achieve “CO2 indicators” targets.

Volkswagen has previously announced tough cost-cutting measures, including closing at least three factories in Germany, cutting employee pay and outsourcing some departments abroad.

It has also been reported that Volkswagen, for the first time in its 87 years of existence, has announced its intention to close factories in Germany.