Ford has inked a deal with Geely to secure the future of its Spanish factory by announcing the pair will work together to create a Ford-branded SUV and two all-electric Geely SUVs.
As part of the joint venture, Ford will own 66 per cent of the new company, with China’s Geely Auto owning the final 34 per cent share, and the first vehicle will roll out of its plant in Valencia as soon as 2028.
To cope with the new models, production at Ford’s European facility will ramp up to its maximum 500,000 capacity, with four vehicles set to join the existing Kuga SUV that’s made there now.
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As previously revealed, the first Ford to be created in partnership will be a European take on the Bronco already on sale in the US.
Early reports suggest the new SUV will be based on the same upgraded C2 platform that currently underpins the Kuga and has been in use since 2018.
Alongside the Euro Bronco will be another “multi-energy Ford family crossover” that is also scheduled for 2028, which will introduce a “rally-bred crossover in the C-segment”, the Blue Oval says.
Insiders have already ruled out any badge-engineered models as part of the new collaboration with the Chinese car-maker, with the Ford vehicles set to feature completely unique bodies.
The new Bronco and second SUV are two of five new “rally-inspired” models that the US car-maker has confirmed it will introduce by 2029 as part of plans to revive its fortunes in Europe.
Two small SUVs will also be among the mix and will be produced by Renault as part of another joint venture.
It’s unknown where the fifth model will come from, but it’s almost certain it will be built outside Valencia.
Geely was attracted to the new partnership as it will help it build two all-electric SUVs at Valencia that won’t be subject to any of the hefty tariffs levied on Chinese-built cars.
Ford said the new partnership would help leverage scale.
Commenting on the new deal, Ford Europe boss Jim Baumbick said: “The battle we’re in and the environment in Europe has changed forever. It’s at a new level of cost. What we’re trying to do is ensure that we can actually demonstrate the lowest possible cost while building products specifically in Europe for European customers.
“It’s no different than what the Geely team is trying to do is to get costs that they see in China actually in Europe, and collectively we’re taking choices that are congruent with made-in-Europe.”
