Ford’s electrification will reduce the workload of the supplier industry in the state of Alicante

Those in charge of the multinational Ford have a sales target for the next four years. International commercialization of 600,000 pure electric vehicles andIn this plan, it is requested to play an important role in ensuring the continuity of the Almussafes factory. The problem is that there are many unknowns to be solved, starting with the number of units to be produced.

Nowadays, The factory produces 1,400 combustion vehicles per day and employs 6,000 workers. But the auto giant pointed out that it will have to cut its workforce by around 40%, which means 2,400 fewer employees, because the electric vehicle requires less labor. Moreover, this surplus will begin to be noticed earlier, especially next year, when production of the S-Max and Galaxy models ceases during this transition period.

And all this will have consequences in the Foia de Castalla region. About 70 companies work for the automotive industry. Héctor Torrente, president of the Association of Ibi and La Foia (Ibiae) Entrepreneurs, does not hesitate to point out that the whole process at the Almussafes factory has caused significant uncertainty among companies. In his words, “companies have proven their ability to adapt to changes demanded by their customers more than once, but in this case, we still face significant questions.”

That is, the decrease in business volume is beginning to be noticed in a short time. He emphasizes that what worries us most is the transition period between the internal combustion vehicle and the electric vehicle. Loss of two models at Valencia plant announced for next year, something that will undoubtedly affect companies. And then we’ll see what happens to demand once all-electric generation starts.”

less sales

Alfredo Martínez, on the other hand, is responsible for the trade and engineering department of Faperin, which produces all kinds of plastic parts for the interior and exterior parts of vehicles of different brands, including Ford, through intermediaries. He believes that this electrification process will have consequences on throughput, “because -confirms-, still far fewer electric cars are sold than combustion cars. “This is a segment with a long way to go because prices are still high and the necessary infrastructure has not yet been set up at the charging point, which is deterring many buyers.”

Also, Martínez adds that because sales volume is still low, there is “temporary production of parts that many vehicle manufacturers have so far ordered from external companies.” The outlook doesn’t look very good.”

Another company devoted to the automotive industry is Borney, which, with the advent of the electric car, had to specialize in metal pipes. adapt to new market demands. Juan Manuel Santonja, director of the company, explains: “Initially we devoted ourselves largely to the manufacture of exhaust pipes, but now we have diversified much more to make all kinds of structures from those that require seats to those that serve to hold batteries”. In that sense, an unknown amount of what could happen with Ford’s electrification. think of it as

However, given the uncertainty about what will happen to the Almussafes facility, there is consensus among companies as to what exists. Benefits of Volkswagen’s huge battery factory in Sagunto. Automotive suppliers believe this initiative will create new business opportunities that will increase activity, and curiously, starting 2026 is exactly the same year Ford is scheduled to begin production of its electric vehicles.