Ford in Europe: Honestly, What Did They Expect?

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So, Ford in Europe. Everybody’s acting surprised it’s…not exactly a triumph. Like they thought launching cars in a place with, you know, different preferences and regulations would just…work? It’s astounding. Truly. They’re running around talking about “challenges” and “restructuring.” It’s not rocket science, people. It’s making a car that someone actually wants to buy. And now they’re suddenly all excited about a potential partnership with Geely? It’s like admitting defeat, but with extra steps. And honestly, the whole thing feels…off. Like a badly written social contract.

How Did We Get Here?

It’s a classic case of overconfidence, if you ask me. They thought they could just transplant the American car experience onto a continent that, shocker, has its own ideas. Passenger vehicle demand was weak? Well, maybe the cars weren’t good. EV adoption slower than anticipated? Maybe people don’t want to pay a fortune for something that still requires a charging station search that feels like a scavenger hunt. And then these Chinese EV makers come along, offering something decent at a price that doesn’t require a second mortgage? It’s not a mystery, it’s basic economics. The whole thing is just… irritating. Like when someone cuts you off in line. Unacceptable.

They cancelled the Fiesta, the Focus, the Mondeo. Models people actually liked. And then they blame high labor costs? High energy costs? Warranty costs? It’s like, okay, you’re running a business. These are things you should have… accounted for. It’s just sloppy. Utterly sloppy.

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The “Turnaround” Plan

So now they have a “three-prong strategy.” First, focus on commercial vehicles. Fine. Higher margins, okay. But it’s like admitting the passenger car side is a mess. Then, “refresh” the passenger vehicle lineup. Refresh? It needs a complete overhaul. And then, “improve scale and cost efficiencies.” Oh, really? After all this time? It’s like saying, “We’re going to start being responsible now!” Where were you five years ago?

But the real kicker is this Geely partnership. Producing vehicles for them in Europe? It’s like saying, “Okay, we failed to sell cars here, so we’ll just make cars for someone else.” It’s humiliating. And the idea that sharing “intellectual property” will magically solve everything? Please. It’s just a way to avoid admitting they were wrong. The whole thing feels… dishonest.

This Steve Greenfield character, talking about learning from the Chinese? It’s like, “Oh, now we’re going to be humble?” Where was this humility when they were confidently expanding into Europe in the first place? It’s infuriatingly convenient.

Volkswagen partnering with Xpeng? Okay, maybe that’s smart. But it doesn’t change the fact that Ford put themselves in this position. It’s like borrowing money from your parents after you’ve already spent all your own. It just feels…wrong.

What It All Means

Chinese automakers are expanding? Groundbreaking analysis. And yes, they offer advanced EVs at affordable prices. But that doesn’t excuse Ford’s incompetence. They need to catch up? Of course they do. But this Geely partnership isn’t a solution, it’s a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. It’s a temporary fix that avoids addressing the fundamental problems. It’s like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

For investors, it’s a reminder that hype and optimism don’t always translate into results. And that sometimes, the best strategy is to simply avoid companies that are consistently making bad decisions. It’s a simple concept, really. But apparently, it’s too much to ask.

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2026-02-14 22:14