Ford Cuts Hours at Cologne EV Plant

Ford is reducing work hours at its Cologne electric vehicle plant due to significantly lower-than-expected demand for EVs in Germany. The temporary adjustment, affecting around 2,300 employees, comes as the company applies for the Kurzarbeit scheme, which allows workers to receive partial government salary support during reduced hours. Sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Germany have dropped by 28.6% this year, leading to decreased production capacity at Ford's plant, which produces the electric Explorer and Capri. Ford's move reflects broader struggles in the EV market, as many manufacturers, including Ford, shift focus towards hybrid vehicles in response to changing consumer preferences. The company has already seen significant workforce reductions at the Cologne facility over the years, with employee numbers dropping from 20,000 in 2018 to about 13,000 this summer. As the EV market continues to face challenges, Ford's plans to ramp up production to 2 million EVs annually by 2026 could be in jeopardy unless demand improves.