Chinese automaker GEELY continues to strengthen its position in Europe. According to reports from Spanish automotive industry sources, the company has acquired access to one of the production lines at FORD's Almussafes plant in Valencia, Spain.
Although the agreement has not yet been officially confirmed, industry publications suggest that GEELY will gain access to stamping and body welding facilities, enabling full-scale vehicle production within Europe.
The partnership is expected to go beyond simple contract manufacturing. Reports indicate that GEELY may produce vehicles based on its GEA platform while also supplying the architecture for a future FORD model.
This move aligns with FORD's broader strategy of leveraging external platforms and technologies for selected vehicle programs. The company has previously collaborated with other automakers on European market products and appears ready to expand that approach further.
The Valencia facility is considered one of the most competitive automotive production sites in Europe due to its favorable labor and energy costs. As a result, it represents an attractive location for GEELY's manufacturing expansion plans.
Sources suggest that GEELY's first locally produced vehicle could be a compact model measuring approximately 4.14 meters in length, offered with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrains.
Industry analysts view the project as another sign of the growing integration of Chinese automakers into Europe's automotive sector. Similar discussions involving other major manufacturers highlight a broader shift toward global cooperation in vehicle development and production.
If confirmed, the GEELY-FORD partnership could become one of the most significant examples of automotive collaboration between Chinese and European manufacturers in the coming years.
