Ford cuts 4,000 jobs in Europe amid weak demand for EVs and rising competition

Core Insights - Ford is cutting 4,000 jobs in Europe due to significant losses in its passenger vehicle operations and weaker-than-expected demand for electric vehicles (EVs) [1][2] - The job cuts will primarily impact Germany and the UK, reflecting the company's response to rising competition in the EV market [2] - Ford's CFO, John Lawler, has called for joint industry action to improve market conditions and ensure the success of the automotive industry in Europe [4][5] Company Actions - The company plans to implement additional short-time working days at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025 as part of its restructuring efforts [3] - Ford is facing significant competitive and economic challenges in Europe, particularly related to the transition to EVs and misalignment between CO2 regulations and consumer demand [3] Industry Context - The global auto industry is undergoing a period of significant disruption as it shifts towards electric vehicles, necessitating decisive actions from automakers [3] - There is a lack of a clear policy agenda in Europe to advance e-mobility, including public investments in charging infrastructure and incentives for consumers [5] - The news of Ford's job cuts follows similar actions by General Motors, which announced 1,000 layoffs to optimize operations [7]