Ford plans to cut up to 1,000 jobs at its Electric Vehicle Centre in Cologne, Germany, as it scales back production in response to weaker-than-expected demand for electric cars in Europe.

The company said It will move to a single shift operation at the Cologne plant beginning in January 2026.

“In Europe, demand for electric passenger vehicles continues to be significantly below industry projections. As a result, Ford will adjust production at the Cologne plant to a single shift operation beginning in January 2026,” the company said in a statement.

Sales of electric vehicles in Europe are still falling short of industry forecasts. When Ford opened the Cologne facility in 2023, expectations for new EV registrations in the region were around 35%, the company said.

Today, only 20% of new vehicle registrations in Europe are expected to be electric by the end of 2025, it added. Consumers remain hesitant amid shifting CO2 regulations and delays in charging infrastructure investments and incentives.

The Cologne Electric Vehicle Centre, launched as part of Ford’s push into electrification, has been a cornerstone of its European strategy. But Ford stressed it must align output with demand.

“Ford is continuously evaluating its production volumes and making adjustments to its manufacturing schedule based on market demand,” the company said.

The automaker said it Is “committed to supporting those impacted” and will offer voluntary separation packages as part of the process.

Ford has been carrying out a sweeping restructuring in Germany that has already affected thousands of workers, including staff at its Cologne facility and at the Saarlouis plant, which is slated for closure. (Investing.com, excluding headline)