Our assembly plant in Valencia, Spain, is one of the most productive and advanced in Europe. 

 This high-tech facility is where we produce the Kuga SUV — among the most popular plug-in hybrid vehicles on the continent — using cutting-edge processes to deliver quality that we can be proud of.

 But great factories are not made by machines or technologies. They are made by people. 

 People with the talent, tenacity and commitment to adapt and innovate in a carmaking landscape that’s changing faster than at any time since Henry Ford revolutionised the industry at the beginning of the last century. 

 People willing to go on the offensive and be the change that our industry needs to not just survive, but to thrive in Europe. 

 Today, we announced that our Valencia plant and its people will be at the heart of a new partnership with Geely Auto, designed to secure the plant’s future, provide long-term stability and create the potential for future high-tech manufacturing job growth. 

 Through this strategic, European-focused joint venture, the new company will manufacture Ford and Geely multi-energy passenger vehicles for the European market — pooling production volume across two automakers to use the plant more fully, lower the cost of every vehicle we build there and strengthen the local Valencia economy.

And, of course, the world-class line-up of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles that Valencia produces will deliver the rally-bred thrills and enable the off-road adventures that are part of Ford’s unique appeal to European drivers.

This isn't just a partnership. This is our blueprint to win in an environment where intense competition, European electric vehicle mandates and industrial costs create challenges that no single company can solve alone. 

We are making the Valencia plant an automotive manufacturing powerhouse in Europe.

“We are making the Valencia plant an automotive manufacturing powerhouse in Europe.”

Jim Baumbick, President, Ford Europe

An exciting vehicle line-up 

I’m truly excited by this new joint venture, the opportunities it brings for our people in Valencia and the vehicles it will deliver. 

In 2028, Valencia will start to build a new multi-energy crossover — designed by Ford and co-developed with Geely, but engineered with the pure capability and driving dynamics that define a Ford vehicle.

In addition, from 2028 our Valencia plant will produce a new member of the global Bronco family — a rugged, multi-energy compact SUV. And Kuga production will continue uninterrupted.

The new joint venture will also bring two additional vehicles to Valencia, again from 2028 — both electric Geely SUVs. 

That’s five vehicles from two brands. All built in Europe, for Europe. 

And as I promised earlier this year, every Ford vehicle that we build for our passionate customers will make them feel something in a way that only a Ford vehicle can — combining our unique off-road DNA with on-road performance to create rally-bred vehicles tailored to Europe.

 But right now, the European market is intense. Emissions mandates are out of sync with market demand. New global competitors have reset the industry's cost and technology benchmark.

This joint venture keeps production, investment and jobs in Europe, at a European plant, with European workers.

We chose a partner willing to invest alongside us in European manufacturing and to compete on a level playing field, building in Europe, for Europe, and playing by the same rules we do. 

We don't have time to wait for policymakers to finish debating reforms. We are acting now to build a competitive industrial system that strengthens European manufacturing rather than sidesteps it. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Ford and Geely Auto plan to establish a manufacturing joint venture at Ford’s Valencia plant, Spain, combining scale and factory utilisation to build Ford and Geely vehicles

• The partnership, built on a foundation of trust and shared business principles, secures the future of the Valencia plant, provides long-term stability and creates the potential for future high-tech manufacturing job growth

• The joint venture addresses the new realities of the European market — intense global competition, relentless cost pressure and tightening regulation — resetting Valencia to build at the industry's emerging cost benchmark

• The Valencia plant will produce a new generation of low- and zero-emission vehicles for European markets, offering customers an outstanding technology experience

• The joint venture is expected to produce an all-new multi-energy crossover for Ford, in addition to a new member of the Bronco family, plus two electric Geely SUVs, with production starting in 2028. Kuga production continues uninterrupted

• The collaboration accelerates Geely Auto’s European expansion, and supports Ford’s product offensive to bring five new passenger vehicles to European showrooms by 2029

Jim Baumbick is President of Ford Europe