Ford to cut jobs in Spain in European production shake-up

MADRID — Ford is slashing its workforce in Spain where the automaker is winding down production of once-popular models.

The company plans to cut 1,100 jobs at its plant in Valencia in eastern Spain, a Ford spokesperson said on Friday.

The layoffs are part of the company’s changes to its car production lineup in Europe, the spokesperson said.

“Ford will work constructively with its union partners to reduce the impact of the separations on employees, their families, and the local community,” the spokesperson said.

Ford is ending production of the S-Max and Galaxy minivans built in Valencia in April as it shifts its passenger car lineup to SUVs and electric cars.

Output of the Mondeo midsize car in Valencia has already ended.

In February Ford said it will cut 3,800 product development and administration jobs in Europe, mostly in Germany and the UK. It cited rising costs and the need for fewer workers to build EVs as the reason for the jobs cull.

Ford will unveil a new all-electric vehicle for Europe on March 21. It will be built at the automaker’s factory in Cologne, Germany, on Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform will be unveiled on March 21.

The EV will replace production of the Fiesta small car in Cologne. Ford will end production of the Focus compact car in Saarlouis, Germany in 2025. The company is looking for a buyer for the Saarlouis factory.

Last year, Ford said it will build its next-generation electric vehicles in Valencia on a new U.S.-developed platform. It delayed a final decision but said it would stick with a plan to start producing electric vehicles later this decade at the factory.

Reuters contributed to this report