The president of Ford Europe, Jim Baumbick, is visiting the Almussafes factory for the first time this Thursday. This day is marked by the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Valencian plant. During his stay, he will hold a meeting with representatives of UGT, the majority union at the factory.
Union representatives come to the meeting with numerous questions about the future of the factory and the continuity of the workforce. According to the union, the meeting will serve to address key issues, such as the commissioning of equipment for the launch of the new multi-energy vehicle and pending investments to modernize the facilities.
“"These investments were committed in the agreement for the electrification of the plant, but they have not yet been materialized."
The Almussafes plant, which currently only manufactures the Ford Kuga model, continues to await news on which multi-energy vehicle will be assigned for 2027 and what its production volume will be. In parallel, the company maintains an active ERTE (Temporary Employment Regulation File) affecting 4,152 workers on a rotating basis, with production stoppages scheduled every Monday.
One of the keys is the possible manufacture of a new multi-energy vehicle, which could be 100% electric and reach an annual production of up to 300,000 units, although this option is not confirmed. Baumbick's visit comes at a time when many expectations are placed on the future of the Valencian plant.
At the same time, conversations continue with the Chinese company Geely so that it can manufacture electric vehicles in Europe and thus avoid tariffs. In this scenario, Almussafes is one of the candidate plants to host this production, a fact that could be decisive for the industrial and labor future of the factory.
