Ford to co-develop new model with Chinese giant Geely
A new joint venture between Ford’s European division and Geely has been announced, resulting in the Chinese brand using the former’s Spanish factory.
Ford has secured a long-rumoured Chinese brand to enter a joint venture with in Europe, announcing Geely as its newest global relationship.
As Chinese carmakers are slugged with tariffs in Europe on cars built back home, Geely will partially circumvent the taxes by becoming a 34 per cent partner in the joint venture, with Ford holding the controlling 66 per cent stake.
From 2028, Ford’s Valencia factory in Spain – currently home to production of the Kuga SUV – will produce what’s being called a “multi-energy crossover” which is being co-developed with Geely, but designed by the Blue Oval brand.
It’s understood it’ll offer plug-in hybrid, full electric and range-extender hybrid powertrains, though it’s not yet clear as to whether it’ll wear badges of both brands.
Ford has previously said it would launch a pair of “multi-energy rally-bred crossover models” in Europe by the end of 2029.
Geely will produce two more SUVs at the factory, one of which will be the existing EX5 EV, while its additional model is under development. Both will start rolling down the line in 2028.
According to Ford, production of the Kuga “will continue uninterrupted”, while it’ll be joined by “a new member of the global Bronco family” from 2028.
“This joint venture keeps production, investment and jobs in Europe, at a European plant, with European workers,” said Ford of Europe President, Jim Baumbick.
“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.”
In May, Ford of Europe announced a five-model onslaught by 2030, with the local market Bronco set to be the first down the line.
It’ll become the fourth Bronco-badged model on sale globally, alongside the American full-size Bronco (related to the Ford Everest), the Bronco Sport (based on the Escape) and China’s Bronco New Energy.
Jordan Mulach
With Ford announcing the European Bronco will be a “multi-energy” vehicle, it’s expected to be based on the ‘C2’ platform which underpins the Escape and now-defunct Focus, as well as the Kuga.
While the C2 architecture hasn’t yet been used in an electric vehicle, Autocar reported last year the mid-sized SUV would be offered as an EV, alongside more affordable petrol-hybrid versions, similar to the smaller Puma.
Another previous report by Automotive News suggested the Bronco would be available with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, however its sources said there won’t be an EV, representing a conflict with the Autocar report.
It’s not yet clear whether vehicles from the Geely and Ford joint venture will be offered beyond Europe.
