In July of next year, Ford Motor Company is set to mark a new chapter. What began as a modest operation on Mack Avenue in Detroit, born from the vision of Henry Ford, has grown into a global manufacturing empire that now spans five continents. The company’s horizon is clearly oriented toward 2030, and the path is already taking shape.
That year, the company has outlined a bold objective for Europe: all passenger car sales should be fully electric. Ford is committing substantial investment to reach this aim, planning at least 50.0 billion dollars through 2026 with a target of producing up to two million electric vehicles by the end of that period. The momentum is not expected to slow in the ensuing years.
Achieving this 2030 milestone is part of a strategic shift to compete in a market that is rapidly leaving fossil fuels behind. A key element of this strategy is the Valencian Almussafes plant, which recently became a central pillar of Ford’s European operations and is now positioned as a main support for the transition. This shift comes after a period of uncertainty for the facility, which has been resolved in favor of a resilient path forward.
On June 22, Ford announced that the Ribera Baixa plant would be supported by the Saarlouis plant in Germany, ensuring viability for at least a decade through the adoption of an advanced electric vehicle production framework. Information linked to the multinational project suggested that Valencia would receive two electric models if selected for the program.
Guided by Jim Farley, Ford’s leadership has transformed the Valencian site into something beyond a traditional factory. The company has leveraged the GE2 platform, an evolution of GE1 used in the Mustang Mach-E, to create a foundation for expanding electric offerings in Valencia. While details on the exact models and production volumes remain to be finalized, the decision signals a significant role for Almussafes in Ford’s European operations.
different possibilities
The Almussafes platform is designed with flexibility in mind, offering options that differ from Ford’s other European plants. A new B-segment model could emerge from the Almussafes line, smaller than the Kuga produced at the Valencia plant and possibly sharing lineage with a model being developed in Craiova, Romania. In recent months, sales of the Kuga have been on the rise, underscoring demand for compact electric offerings in the region.
The company faced a strategic decision regarding Perte, a Spanish government initiative to accelerate electric vehicle development through Next Generation funds. Although Perte provided substantial support to Ford and its collaborators, the firm decided to move forward without relying on those funds. This shift may appear to some as a change in corporate resolve, but the underlying message points to a different interpretation altogether.
stronger bet
After adjusting deadlines and clarifying production plans, the question remains about whether the electric vehicle will arrive before 2026 and how the Kuga will evolve after 2024. The company appears intent on a deeper commitment to Almussafes, with the expectation that the plant will lead in a high‑production European landscape. A second generation of the Mustang Mach-E could fit into this plan, aligning with Ford’s broader electrification strategy, though the specific models and timings are still under discussion.
Looking ahead, the emphasis is on substantial investment and collaboration with Valencian institutions to keep the electrification trajectory on track. For Ford, additional financing opportunities are on the table to help meet the 2030 electric target, signaling that the company plans to fulfill its commitments within the decade.
Electrification, a path with fewer personnel yet to be outlined
The shift toward electricity will inevitably require a recalibration of the Almussafes workforce. The size and shape of this transition are not yet fully defined, as factory leaders and workers assess the practical impact. Meanwhile, Ford announced a new wave of job reductions in the United States, Canada, and India as part of broader cost‑reduction efforts tied to the electrification push. The tone from the company remains focused on sustaining momentum while managing the structural changes the transition will entail. — End of excerpt from regional coverage, with ongoing updates to reflect developments as they occur.