Ford and Geely to co‑produce new Kuga SUV at Valencia plant

Ford Motor Company and Chinese automaker Geely have agreed to form a joint venture, with Ford holding 66 % and Geely 34 %, to develop and build the next generation of the Ford Kuga SUV in Europe. The new Kuga, slated for launch around 2029, will be a multi‑energy crossover – offering conventional, hybrid‑plug‑in and fully electric versions – and will be produced at Ford’s Almussafes plant near Valencia, Spain. Production is planned to start in the first half of 2027 with a target capacity of about 500,000 vehicles per year, far exceeding the output of the current plant.

Under the partnership, Geely will also manufacture two of its own electric SUVs at the same facility from 2028, using its platforms, batteries and powertrains while avoiding EU tariffs on Chinese‑built EVs. The collaboration is intended to boost both companies’ competitiveness in the European market, increase utilization of the Valencia plant, and combine Ford’s design and chassis expertise with Geely’s electric‑vehicle technology. The existing Kuga model, introduced in 2019, will remain on sale as a bridge until the new generation arrives.