The discontinuation of the Fiesta in 2023 marked the beginning of significant changes for Ford in Europe. In 2025, another chapter will close with the cessation of the Focus. The Cologne factory, previously home to Fiesta production, is transitioning to electric vehicle manufacturing. However, the future of the Saarlouis factory, dedicated to producing the Focus, remains uncertain.
Located in Saarland, Germany, the Saarlouis plant's sole focus is the Focus model. This specialization underscores the urgency of finding a new operational partner post-2025. Recent reports from the DPA news agency indicate potential optimism, as an automotive industry investor has shown interest in acquiring the factory after the current contract ends.
The future of the site has been unclear since June 2022 when Ford picked a site in Spain to assemble its next-generation electric vehicle (EV) over the German plant, which will stop producing its current model, the Ford Focus, from 2025.
Fifteen possible investors had expressed interest, the works council said earlier in the year, with some media reporting that Chinese EV maker BYD was among them.
Source: Automotive News
