Ford is preparing a battery assembly plant at its Almussafes factory in Valencia, Spain, as the site moves toward future all-electric production and a new partnership with Geely. The investment brings fresh hope after a difficult period, but the factory still faces excess staffing, production stoppages, and a wait until 2028 for several new models.
Almussafes is getting ready for electric cars
The biggest change is also the most tangible: Ford plans to build a dedicated battery assembly facility at Almussafes for future 100% electric vehicles. The announcement gives the Spanish factory a clearer role in Ford's next manufacturing chapter, rather than leaving electrification as a distant promise.
According to elDiario.es, Ford presented the battery project and other planned investments to union representatives through the factory's Electrification Observatory. The new facility is expected to support electric vehicle production on site, which could simplify logistics and give Almussafes more control over a crucial part of the manufacturing process.
The company hasn't yet said how many employees the plant will need. Those staffing decisions, including possible transfers from other Ford locations, are expected during the second quarter of 2027.
A Geely partnership adds momentum
The battery project arrives alongside Ford's agreement with Chinese automaker Geely, which is expected to bring additional vehicles to Almussafes. Industry reporting from La Tribuna de Automocion points to three new electrified cars planned under the partnership, with production expected toward the end of 2028.
That matters because the factory is currently operating through a leaner period, with the Kuga as its main model. The future line-up is expected to include two Geely SUVs, along with a Ford vehicle from the Bronco family, giving the plant a broader mix and potentially more consistent work.
Invest in Spain has also highlighted Geely's growing industrial interest in the country. For Almussafes, the alliance isn't simply about adding badges to the production line. It's about filling capacity and giving the factory a reason to remain competitive as European carmakers shift towards electric platforms.
The transition won't be painless
Even with promising projects ahead, Almussafes is dealing with a staffing imbalance now. UGT estimates that between 200 and 300 employees could be affected in the coming months, including production workers, maintenance technicians, and office staff.
The factory is also continuing to use the ERTE-Red temporary employment scheme, introduced in January 2025 and scheduled to run until the end of this year. The rotating arrangement covers a workforce of 4,123 people, with workers receiving 90% of their guaranteed wages during scheduled stoppages.
Merca2.es has reported on the wider scale of the Geely and Ford plans, but those future models won't solve every immediate problem. Until production rises, unions and management will still need to discuss alternatives, including a possible new temporary layoff scheme for 2027.
Factory upgrades go beyond batteries
Ford has outlined several practical improvements around the site, too. Planned work includes a two-stage refurbishment of the engine plant's changing rooms, a canteen renovation during the Christmas shutdown, and new personal lockers beginning with the women's assembly changing room.
Climate control upgrades will continue through 2027 and into 2028. These details may sound less dramatic than a battery plant, but they shape daily life for thousands of employees, especially in large industrial buildings where temperature, comfort, and changing facilities can make a noticeable difference.
UGT says the work begins to deliver improvements agreed under the company's 2030 labour and social conditions deal. A modern factory needs more than new technology; it needs spaces that feel workable, safe, and properly maintained.
What the 2028 production plan means
La Sexta's reporting describes a future Almussafes line-up of five Ford and Geely vehicles from 2028, an ambitious expansion compared with the factory's current situation. If those plans arrive on schedule, the plant could move from managing idle time to balancing several electrified products.
That shift could also change the employment conversation. More models generally mean more production hours, but the final effect will depend on vehicle volumes, automation, battery assembly requirements, and how much work is shared across Ford's wider European network.
For now, the timetable remains the key detail to watch. Almussafes has already produced more than 10 million vehicles since the first Ford Fiesta left its lines in 1976. Its next chapter may be quieter at first, but the battery plant and Geely alliance suggest the factory is being positioned for a serious electric reset.
The road to electric production is taking shape, but Almussafes still needs steady work to make the promise feel real.
Disclaimer: This article may have been created with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. It is provided for general informational purposes only. Readers should verify information independently before relying on this content.
