Ford appoints Jeff Jones to lead Geely joint venture in Valencia

Ford Motor Company has appointed Jeff Jones as the president of its upcoming joint venture with Geely Holding Group, located at the Almussafes plant in Valencia, Spain. Jones, a 30-year veteran of Ford currently serving as Global Director of Digital Technology and Electrified Systems Procurement, will oversee the project to ensure the transaction reaches its closing.

The strategic alliance, originally announced in July, aims to manufacture five vehicle models at the Valencia facility. This includes three new models to be added alongside the Kuga and the future Bronco by the end of 2028. By combining production volumes, Ford and Geely intend to maximize factory capacity, reduce unit costs, and provide high-quality multi-energy vehicles while supporting the local economy.

Pending regulatory approvals, the joint venture is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2027, with the first new vehicles scheduled to roll off the assembly line in 2028. During the transition, the Valencia plant will continue its current production of the Ford Kuga. Daniel Ruiz will remain as the director of the Valencia plant, managing industrial operations.