Ford has delayed planned investment in one of its biggest European factories, which is set to take centre stage in producing its next generation of electric vehicles.
The American firm cited a revised financial outlook for Europe in taking the decision yet reaffirmed its “commitment” to the site in Valencia, Spain – previously chosen over a rival facility in Saarlouis, Germany. Ford wouldn't go into further detail on this new outlook.
It comes just a few months after Ford announced the decision to invest in the Valencia site – alongside a $2 billion (£1.69bn) conversion of its plant in Cologne, Germany – as part of its plan to go EV-only in Europe from 2030, five years before the proposed ban on selling ICE vehicles in the EU.
This investment would involve fitting the site with more automated assembly lines, which are a key part of EV manufacturing but require less human involvement.
