According to a media report, Ford is negotiating the sale of the Saarlouis plant with the Chinese carmaker BYD. Representatives of Ford management in Germany traveled to China next week, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the process. The talks are at an early stage and the deal could still fail, it said. Price details were not given. Ford could not immediately be reached for comment.
The “Ford Focus” is currently being manufactured in the Saarlouis plant; production there is scheduled to end in 2025. According to the works council, only around 500 to 700 of the current 4,500 jobs will remain at Ford. According to media reports, Ford has sought talks with around 15 interested parties.