Workers were told to expect concrete numbers of job losses from the automaker in mid-February, according to Cologne’s daily paper, the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.
Industrial action threats
Ford’s plans triggered a union threat of Europe-wide disruption.
“If negotiations between the works council and management in coming weeks do not ensure the future of workers, we will join the process. We will not hold back from measures that could seriously impact the company not just in Germany but Europe-wide,” IG Metal said.
Ford of Europe produces, sells and services Ford brand vehicles in 50 markets, employing around 45,000 people at its own facilities and consolidated joint ventures, according to its website.
The latest cuts come three years after Ford’s last big job cull.
In 2019 Ford announced that it was creating 12,000 jobs in Europe, about 20 percent of the overall workforce, and reducing its manufacturing footprint in the region to 18 facilities from 24. It ended production at three plants in Russia, closed an engine factory in Bridgend , Wales, and shuttered a transmission plant near Bordeaux, France.
Ford also closed its UK headquarters in Warley, Essex, and consolidated its British operations in Dunton, where it has a technical center.
Ford has been shrinking its passenger car lineup in Europe by axing models such as the Mondeo midsize car and minivans including the S-Max. The company is concentrating on sales of light commercial vehicles such as the Transit van, where it is a market leader.
The automaker’s passenger car market share last year was 4.4 percent with sales of just over 510,000 units, according to industry association ACEA.
Reuters and Bloomberg contributed to this report