Ford to Cut 4,000 European Jobs Amid EV Shift and Competition from Chinese Rivals

Ford has announced plans to cut around 4,000 jobs, roughly 14% of its European workforce, in response to mounting challenges including weak electric vehicle (EV) demand, insufficient government support for the EV transition, and increasing competition from subsidized Chinese rivals. The job cuts, which represent about 2.3% of Ford’s global workforce, will primarily affect operations in Germany and the UK.

The move comes as Ford faces pressure from rising EV production costs and market competition. The company joins other automakers like Nissan, Stellantis, and GM in reducing costs to remain competitive amid the growing push for affordable electric vehicles.

Ford’s shares dropped by 1.8% following the announcement, which signals tough times ahead, particularly for Germany, where rival Volkswagen is also considering factory closures and job cuts to remain competitive. Despite its efforts, Ford has struggled to compete with rivals like GM in both the U.S. and European markets, dealing with ongoing quality issues and supply chain challenges.