Iconic US car giant could leave Germany – Bild

Reportedly, Ford has announced significant management downsizing at its Cologne plant.

The US car manufacturer has implemented substantial management cuts at its German plant in Cologne, as part of a restructuring plan that may result in the company leaving the country, as per Bild's report on Thursday.

Concerns within its German unit have escalated following Ford's declaration that only four of the current ten managing directors will keep their positions, the newspaper stated.

"As part of the transformation of the European business, Ford is simplifying its administrative and management structure in Germany and downsizing the management of Ford-Werke GmbH," the carmaker stated in a released statement. "With effect from July 1, 2024, a maximum of four members will form the management."

Supervisory Board Chairman Kieran Cahill explained that the drastic measure is necessary to streamline Ford’s administrative and management structure in Germany. The move "gives us more speed of action and allows the management team to concentrate fully on its operational tasks and lead Ford into a successful future," as cited by Bild.

Additionally, Ford announced significant layoffs last year as part of an austerity plan, with plans to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, mainly in Germany, as it transitions to electric vehicle (EV) production, which necessitates fewer personnel.

The carmaker has already completed half of its prior restructuring plan, which involved 2,300 job cuts in Germany, reducing the staff number to 13,000, the head of the works council at the Cologne plant, Benjamin Gruschka, informed Reuters.

Last week, Ford revealed further plans for job cuts in Germany, without specifying the number of additional layoffs.