Ford faces a turnaround at its Almussafes plant as it moves toward full electrification. The factory will halt production for two models that have kept lines moving there: the S-Max and the Galaxy. The stop date is set for next April, marking a major shift in the plant’s output mix. Currently, the Valencia site runs about 80 vehicles per day, a level that accounts for roughly 12,500 units through the third quarter, or 6.5% of the total 190,000 vehicles built at Almussafes to date.
This decision follows the end of Mondeo production at the end of March and the planned discontinuation of the Transit Connect toward the end of 2022. With the new schedule beginning in April, and as electric models are rolled out by 2026, only the Kuga is expected to keep producing at the facility for now. Until last September, the Kuga accounted for 117,000 cars across all versions built at Almussafes.
Ford’s move comes as Carlos Faubel, the UGT plant’s general secretary, warned that next year will require talks about job reductions as electrification takes hold. Once the plant shifts to electric production in 2026, fewer hands may be needed on the line in some areas, even as the company continues to invest in its European footprint. [Citation: Ford corporate communications]
Vehicles Losing Quota
During a visit by Industry Minister Reyes Maroto to the Valencia site, production chief Dionisio Campos highlighted that demand for the S-Max and Galaxy has been waning. People have shifted to smaller models, and production volumes for the two cars have grown relatively small. The exact date for ending S-Max and Galaxy output is still under review as Ford evaluates the best path forward for the site and its lineup. [Citation: Industry briefing]
Beyond the S-Max and Galaxy, Ford has also announced the discontinuation of the iconic Fiesta. The Fiesta is currently produced in Cologne, with a planned end of production in June 2023. The shift reflects Ford’s broader European strategy and the need to consolidate under a new electrified lineup. [Citation: Company press notes]
The Future of Ford in Europe
Ford has laid out a clear roadmap as part of a broader corporate strategy. The company aims to accelerate a full electrification of its passenger cars by 2030 and to electrify its entire European portfolio by 2035. In line with this plan, Ford has confirmed a rollout of three new electric passenger models and four electric commercial vehicles in Europe by 2024, with a target to reach 600,000 pure electric cars on European roads by 2026. The emphasis is on building a robust electric lineup while gradually transitioning traditional internal combustion models away from the production line. [Citation: Ford strategic update]