Ford Explorer and Capri, Flops that are Expensive… in Jobs.
AUTO: Ford’s strategic choice to eliminate its emblematic models, in favor of new electric models, is now resulting in job losses
Taunus, Granada, Sierra, Fiesta: the Ford factory in Cologne, in Germany, has to its credit some of the most popular models in the history of the brand. It is therefore a very important site for Ford Europe, and it may seem logical that the group chose this site as a “base camp” for its big shift electric.
Cologne has therefore been modernized at (very) great expense, to be able to accommodate the production of two new models: the Explorer and Capri electric crossovers. Except that for that, it was necessary to sentence the still popular Fiesta to death. Blindness or lack of foresight? Today, Ford confirms the adage: you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket.
25% fewer employees
The fact is that the European public is not rushing to electric cars as expected. And we also see that Ford clearly not very well placed on the shopping list of those who take the plunge. In short: the Explorer and Capri do not attract crowds. Sales are actually so bad that the Associated Press understands that a wave of layoffs is looming at the factory Cologne. We are talking about 1,000 job cuts (mainly early retirements and voluntary departures) out of just over 4,000 currently. That’s 25% of the staff!
The factory is also reportedly preparing to move to just one production shift per day. Next step? Temporary shutdowns, as experienced by the factory that produces the Fiat 500 electric.
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