Ford Europe will cut 2800 engineering jobs as part of EV pivot

UPDATE: Ford confirms cuts in Europe and the UK, 3800 jobs gone

Mike Stevens

Ford has confirmed it will release 3800 workers in its European operations over the next three years, as it works to become on a more streamlined, EV-focused operation.

The announcement follows earlier reports that sources were expecting "a four-digit number" would be the count.

The confirmed number is made up of 2300 Ford of Europe employees in Germany and 1300 in the United Kingdom. Another 200 jobs will be lost from various Ford roles across Europe.

As its Australian arm did when it announced an end to 120 contract positions in August 2022, Ford's European business has stressed that it will have 3400 people working in its engineering teams.

"There is significantly less work to be done on drivetrains moving out of combustion engines," said Martin Sander, head of the EV-focused Ford Model E division, in an interview with industry journal Automotive News.

"We are moving into a world with less global platforms where less engineering work is necessary. This is why we have to make the adjustments."

Effect of job cuts by region and department

“These are difficult decisions, not taken lightly. We recognize the uncertainty it creates for our team, and I assure them we will be offering them our full support in the months ahead. We will engage in consultations with our social partners so we can move forward together on building a thriving future for our business in Europe,” Sander said.

Sander said the new Ford will be an "unapologetically American" operation, with "outstanding design and connected services that will differentiate Ford and delight our customers in Europe".

"Our first European-built electric passenger vehicle is being introduced this spring and will surely turn heads."

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JANUARY, 2023: Ford expected to cut European jobs for EV pivot

Alex Affat

More than 1000 jobs will be cut by Ford in Germany as the business within the region pivots to exclusively selling electric vehicles.

According to Automotive News Europe, sources close to the matter indicate that the car giant intends to trim its workforce "by a four-digit number", with labour cuts affecting Ford's European headquarters and production factory in Cologne, Germany.

Job losses are said to affect assembly, engine and transmission manufacturing, along with development, administration and sales.

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The reports suggest Ford intends to restructure its European operations by withdrawing from low-margin volume segments, such as small and compact cars, to aid sustainable profitability for its European operations, sources said.

Ford's factory in Cologne was opened in 1931, spans 69 hectares, and has most recently been responsible for making the Ford Fiesta.

Production of the Fiesta ends in June this year, after which the Cologne factory is set to undergo a radical makeover to the tune of more than $2 billion. The popular Ford Focus is also set to be retired after its lifecycle ends in 2025.

The factory will, it's claimed, be converted to build battery-electric vehicles based on Volkswagen Group's MEB platform. This is expected to materialise in a boxy five-door five-seat SUV, spied testing recently and expected to be revealed this year.

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Ford is also said to be considering the possibility of a further MEB-based BEV 'sport crossover' product while it continues development of its own in-house electric architecture.

Ford has committed to converting its passenger car lineup in Europe to all-electric by 2030.

Reports indicate that Ford has yet to determine the exact number of jobs that will be cut, and that a decision is expected in the spring (Australia's autumn).

A spokesperson for Ford Europe told Auotmotive News Europe that the pivot to EV production required a "significant change", but offered "no comment on the current speculation about a possible restructuring at Ford in Europe".

We will update this story as it develops.