Not ready for e-mobility - Drastic cuts at Ford in Cologne

The current job cuts by the American corporation will primarily take place in Europe. Now, the Ford plants in Cologne are also being affected. Ford plans to focus its development sector more in the USA in the future. As a result, the job cuts will mainly affect positions in the administrative level.

“The situation is devastating for the employees,” said Deputy Works Council Chairwoman Katharina von Hebel.

According to the deputy head of the works council, a total of 3,200 employees are expected to lose their jobs. According to a report by WDR, 2,500 of the 3,800 positions at the research center in Cologne-Merkenich will be cut. Around 20 percent of the employees in administration will have to go. The job cuts mainly affect well-educated engineers, with vehicle production not being the focus of the cost-cutting measures, according to company information. There are also significant concerns at the spare parts center. The Americans have announced a restructuring of this area.

In 2017, Ford had still invested 600 million euros in Germany

“Ford thus clearly commits to Germany as the company's main European base," explained Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford. "In Germany, we employ over 25,000 employees - more than in any other European country. This includes the design and development center in Cologne, where numerous Ford models for the global market are created, as well as the Ford Research Center in Aachen. Here, our experts develop innovative technologies for the mobility of tomorrow."

Now, Ford wants to develop the e-mobility of the future in the USA and consolidate its competencies. In the United States, the e-models for Europe and the rest of the world will be designed, making the development department in Cologne insignificant for the Americans.