Ford Cologne before job cuts: Scholz demands measures for e-mobility!

Ford Cologne before job cuts: Scholz demands measures for e-mobility!

In the middle of workplace fears and massive job cuts, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is now visiting the Ford plant in Cologne. The automotive giant plans to reduce around 4,000 jobs across Europe by the end of 2027, of which 2,900 are affected in Cologne alone. This was announced during a meeting with the works council, where Scholz was present. The Chancellor emphasized the importance of Germany as an industrial location and called for a Europe -wide funding for sales of electric vehicles. During his visit, Scholz will also appeal to the concerns of the employees who were worried about their jobs in view of the precarious Situation, so reported Deutschlandfunk .

Ford’s challenge

The IG Metall, the Ford work union, has decidedly spoke out against the planned layoffs and requires the reintroduction of state purchase bonuses for electric cars. These premiums were crucial to stimulate the demand, which has dropped sharply since the end of the incentive program in Germany at the end of 2023. Scholz, who had already contacted the works council by telephone, would like to encourage employees with his personal visit and submit suggestions to improve the market conditions for electric cars. The demands of the works council also include the expansion of the charging infrastructure to increase the acceptance for electric vehicles, such as yahoo reported.

Ford invested over 2 billion euros in the conversion of Cologne production to electric vehicles, but the market launch of the first European electric car could not be carried out at any best. The pressure increases to boost the sales figures again, while the jobs in an industry that changes quickly are on the brink. Scholz will also talk to the management and the works council behind closed doors before turning to the concerned employees.