- Ford would own 66% of the proposed venture, with Geely holding the remaining 34%.
- The Valencia plant could build around 500,000 vehicles annually, with operations expected to begin during 2027.
- Five unnamed multi-energy and electric models are planned across the Ford and Geely brands.
Ford and Geely are preparing to share one of Europe’s established car factories, with a new joint venture planned for Ford’s Valencia plant in Spain.
Announced by Geely and Ford, the agreement would create a Europe-focused manufacturing operation with potential capacity of about 500,000 vehicles per year. The proposal remains subject to regulatory approval.
Ford would hold 66% of the venture, while Geely would own the remaining 34%. Operations are expected to begin in the first half of 2027, with the first vehicles scheduled to follow in 2028.
Five models, one factory
The production plan covers three Ford-branded multi-energy vehicles and two Geely-branded electric models. Neither company has named the vehicles, so any link to existing or future model lines would be speculation.
For Ford, the arrangement offers another way to use Valencia’s considerable manufacturing footprint while spreading development costs across more vehicles.
The Spanish factory dates back nearly 50 years, and the companies say the plan is intended to support plant stability and jobs alongside production efficiencies.
Geely, meanwhile, would gain a European manufacturing base for two new-energy models without having to establish an entirely new factory. That matters as the Chinese group’s international business accelerates: Geely recorded 474,228 overseas sales in the first half of 2026, up 158% year on year.
A practical European alliance
The proposed ownership split leaves Ford firmly in control of the operation, but gives both manufacturers access to shared capacity and potential development-cost savings. It is a pragmatic pairing: Ford brings an established European plant, while Geely brings growing scale and two additional vehicles for its production schedule.
Much still depends on regulatory approval and the unnamed models eventually allocated to Valencia. The companies have not disclosed New Zealand availability, pricing or timing for any vehicles tied to the agreement.
