Ford Motor Company will eliminate approximately 1,000 jobs at its Cologne, Germany plant starting early next year, as the automaker continues to grapple with its shift toward electric vehicles. The facility will reduce operations from two shifts to a single shift, reflecting lower than expected demand and broader restructuring efforts across Europe.
The job cuts are part of a previously announced plan to reduce Ford’s European workforce by 3,800 positions by the end of 2027. Of those, 2,900 will be eliminated at the company’s German headquarters, amounting to roughly one in four jobs in Cologne. Additional reductions include 800 roles in the United Kingdom and 300 across other European markets representing about one in seven Ford jobs across the continent.
Ford has cited declining sales and challenges in adapting to the electric vehicle market as key drivers behind the layoffs. The company has also criticized European regulatory policy, calling it unclear and difficult to navigate. Ironically, consumer interest in hybrids and EVs remains strong in Europe, underscoring the complexity of Ford’s transition and the competitive pressures it faces.