Ford is parting ways with two high-ranking executives in Germany. As Ford accelerates its global restructuring efforts, the departure of seasoned leaders marks a significant shift in the company’s international strategy.
Ford slashes German management ranks for second time this year.
In June, Ford suffered a significant loss when Martin Sander, its highly respected European government affairs leader, departed to join the ranks at Volkswagen. As part of Ford’s efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs, the site was ultimately shuttered in order to trim its workforce within the region.
As of July 1, 2024, the company has streamlined its management structure, with a reduced team of four managing administrators, compared to the previous nine. Ford revealed that the adjustments were a key component in a sweeping reformation of its European operations.
Kieran Cahill, chairman of the supervisory board at Ford-Werke GmbH, has said that the company’s downsizing will simplify its administrative structure. Cahill noted that this iteration “provides an added boost in velocity,” underscoring Ford’s efforts to revitalize the brand.
Starting this month, Ford will eliminate two senior management positions. According to a report by a German media outlet, Ford’s leadership may have shrunk to just two executives: Dave Johnston and Marcus Wassenberg, both of whom took on their roles in July.
Meanwhile, Christian Weingärtner and René Wolf stepped down as of November 1, 2024, while remaining involved in the company’s operational activities.
Ford has recently commenced deliveries of its innovative Capri EV, following the model’s launch in the previous month. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the company’s second electric vehicle to be built on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform, following the Electric Ford Explorer.
Ford began constructing the all-electric Explorer at its newly opened Cologne Electric Vehicle Centre in Germany this summer.
The all-new Capri EV starts at a competitive $48,800 (€44,950) in Germany, undercutting the electric Explorer by just $3,900 (€4,050), with a price tag of around $52,700 (€48,500).
| (WLTP) | (Germany) | |
| 390 miles (627 km) | $48,800 (€44,950) | |
| 368 miles (592 km) | $52,300 (€48,650) |
Ford will pause production of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck within the US for nearly two months. A Ford spokesperson, Jessica Enoch, explained in a statement that the company is prioritizing production levels to strike a balance between sales growth and profitability.
The primary day at Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan is scheduled for November 18, with production set to resume on January 6, 2025. The plant will be closed from December 23rd to accommodate a scheduled vacation break week at all US Ford manufacturing facilities.
