New Ford–Geely partnership in Spain
Ford Motor Company and Chinese automaker Geely are setting up a new joint venture in Spain to develop and manufacture next‑generation electric vehicles and crossovers for Europe.
According to the announcement, the new company will be based at Ford’s Valencia manufacturing plant. Ford will hold 66% of the venture and Geely will own 34%. Operations are planned to start in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
For Nepali buyers, this is not an immediate product launch. It is an industry move that could influence the Ford and Geely models that eventually reach South Asian markets.
Production plan from 2028
Ford’s Valencia site is one of Europe’s major vehicle factories, with an annual capacity of around 5 lakh vehicles. The plant will continue to build the Ford Kuga (Europe’s version of the Escape SUV). From 2028 onwards, it will gradually turn into a hub for several new models.
Key points from the product roadmap:
- Ford plans to expand the Bronco family with a new compact SUV developed under this partnership.
- Ford and Geely will jointly create a new Ford crossover, with Ford in charge of the exterior and interior design.
- Geely will manufacture two new energy vehicles (NEVs) at the Valencia plant for European customers.
One of Geely’s models will be the Geely EX2, described as the European version of the Geely Xingyuan – a compact SUV that has become one of Geely’s popular sellers in China. Specs, battery sizes and prices for these Europe‑bound vehicles have not yet been officially detailed for export markets. According to the announcement, buyers should treat all product plans as preliminary until technical data is confirmed closer to launch.
Why this matters for Nepal
While these vehicles are currently planned for Europe, the partnership gives a clear signal about how global brands are preparing for wider EV adoption:
- Ford’s manufacturing strength in Europe combined with Geely’s EV development experience is expected to improve efficiency and reduce costs, which can help bring more competitively priced EVs in the long run.
- Geely is quickly increasing its global presence, reporting about 4.74 lakh overseas sales in the first half of 2026, a 158% year‑on‑year increase, according to company figures.
For Nepali buyers, this JV suggests that more compact SUVs and crossovers with electric or electrified powertrains are likely to be developed on global platforms. These could later be adapted or imported into South Asian markets, potentially offering new choices beyond current EVs available in Nepal.
However, there is no official announcement yet about bringing the Bronco compact SUV, the Ford crossover from this JV, or the Geely EX2 to Nepal. Any possible introduction here would depend on regional demand, pricing, and distribution decisions in future years.
Written and analysed by Ajit Narayan Singh, Editor at Nepal AutoMart, from ongoing tracking of the Nepal automotive market.
