Ford plans to reduce its workforce at the plant Almussafes (Valencia) in a 34,5%equivalent to 1,622 employees. This will be the second ERE (Employment Regulation File) in a year and the fourth since June 2020. Of those 1,622 people, 626 will be incentivized dismissals and 996 will be objective layoffs with preference to be rehired in 2027, the year in which the new model that the company and of which Ford plans to make 300,000 units annually.
UGTthe majority union at the factory, has had a first contact with the managementbut he has indicated that he will not negotiate with the company again until after the members’ assembly this Saturday, June, 15hence It will be Monday when the union states what its position is. In the previous ERE, UGT and Ford agreed early retirement from the age of 53 and payment of up to 40,000 eurosaffecting 1,144 people, 19% of the then workforce.
The reason for this new cut is the loss of models in Almussafes from 2022, which lost production of four vehicles: the Mondeo, the S-Max, the Galaxy and the Transit Connect, a van that the factory stopped making in mid-April of this year. Thus, production has gradually decreased in recent years, going from 367,740 units in 2018, when Ford’s European management announced the restructuring of its business in the Old Continent, to 211,834 vehicles last year, 42% less than in 2018. However, this figure will fall again in 2024 due to constant production stoppages and because the factory only has the Plague.
We have been stating for a few weeks that viable transitional solutions must be found, and that we are sure they will have the support of the administrations, he noted. UGT in reference to tools such as the RED mechanism, a type of ERTE (Temporary Employment Regulation File). For its part, FordIt is committed to Work with national and regional governments to find all possible opportunities to reduce the impact on employees, their families and the local community.
A unique model in Almussafes until 2027
Ford began accepting orders last week for the new version of the KUGAa popular SUV in Europe, especially in its give hybrida pluggable. Almussafes has adapted its production lines for this model, which will be the only one manufactured in the Valencian plant until mid-2027, when a new model announced by Ford last March arrives. This new vehicle will not be electric, but will be hybrid, reflecting Ford’s change in strategy for Europe that stopped its electrification plans due to the low performance of the electric vehicle in the Old Continent.
Originally, Ford had plans to assign an electric vehicle platform to Almussafes, after the factory was chosen the favorite to host said platform, now the plant is waiting for a hybrid vehicle whose characteristics and name are still unknown.
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