Back in 2020, Ford and Volkswagen announced a landmark partnership agreement between the two automakers that has since resulted in the duo teaming up to create multiple new models bearing both nameplates. That includes the Ford Explorer EV for Europe and another as-yet-revealed model riding on VW’s MEB platform, though the all-electric crossover was recently delayed by six months as FoMoCo awaits the arrival of the former’s next-generation battery tech, according to CEO Jim Farley. Meanwhile, falling demand for EVs has prompted Ford to push back its goal of building 600k units by annually by 2024 and two million by 2026, all while its cross-town rival, General Motors, also struggles to build EVs in general. Now, it seems as if Volkswagen will also be cutting back EV production amid weaker demand as well, according to Reuters.
For now, Volkswagen will temporarily pause production of the ID.3 and Cupra Born EVs at its Zwickau and Dresden assembly plants – both of which are located in Germany – for the first two weeks of October. The automaker confirmed that it is making this move as a direct response to slowing demand for those models.
ID.3 production will be suspended at the Dresden plant on October 2nd before resuming on October 16th, while the Zwickau plant will be down from October 2nd through October 13th. The automaker announced earlier this month that it will not be extending the contracts of 269 employees at the Zwickau plant, but did not comment on how this stoppage will affect employees at either facility.
Recently, Ford CEO Jim Farley said that “the near-term pace of EV adoption will be a little slower than expected, which is going to benefit early movers like Ford,” though he also acknowledged that weakened demand is also prompting major changes in the automaker’s plan to ramp up production of those models as well.
We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
Good. EVs are a solution for some, but not others. Let people decide what’s best for them instead of forcing these EVs on us.
A two week production cut won’t make a difference , WE DONT WANT EVS!!!!! Get it through your thick sculls, Ford is losing billions on EVs, unless this is the plan, lose money, file bankruptcy, toss union contracts! Oopsie, did I do that!!!
EV’s ARE A COMPLETE WASTE OF OUR F AX MONEY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETELY STOPPED BY NOW AS NO ON REALLY WANTS THEM !!!!!!! WAKE UP ASSHOLES THAT IS OUR F TAX MONEY THAT YOU ARE THROWING DOWN THE F TOILET !!!!!! THAT f SENILE JACKASS IN WASHINGTON IS DRIVING ALL OUR AUTO COMPANIES OUT OF F BUSINESS !!!
Get a clue, Ford. Ev’s will be the Edsel of the mid 2020’s. Too many issues. Pushing an immature technology that is not ready for the market in general.
Market will support them only when an EV delivers the same utility at the same value.
So many nay sayers here. By 2035 you will be crying for an EV. Remember this day!
There won’t be enough electricity supply for EV’s in 2035. The big green lie is falling apart faster than I imagined.
The key numbers are and always will be: 300 mile range, 10 minute, or less, to 80 percent charge, 40k, or less, for a mid sized fully equipped vehicle. Charging stations at least half of the current number of gas stations.
For me it’s 10 minutes or less for 100 percent charge
Typical Ford, bluster about something then when reality steps in they very quickly and quietly back down. Remember when they were crowing about autonomous vehicles? Then a few people got killed by them ? The idiots in charge backed off that one too. Hey in the future EV’s have a place. When clean cheap electricity is available. Which may be never, till then they will only be a portion of what Ford,GM and everyone else produces.