Search & fact check with cited sources for What did Ford and Geely announce regarding a joint venture to build EVs in Spain, including the ownership structure (66% Ford, 34% Geely), the plant location (Almussafes near Valencia), the three new vehicles planned (two Geely electric

Plant Location

The facility is Ford's Valencia Assembly Plant in Almussafes, about 20 km south of Valencia, Spain . The plant and its approximately 4,200 workers will be transferred to the new joint-venture company .

Vehicles Planned

The announcement covers three newly developed vehicles to be built at the plant starting from late 2028, on top of Ford's continued production of the Kuga and Bronco :

• Two Geely-branded electric SUVs, built on Geely's dedicated EV architecture .
• One Ford multi-energy crossover (capable of multiple powertrain types), developed on Geely's platform and co-engineered by the two companies .

Some sources count a total of four to five models under the combined agreement when including Ford's existing Kuga and Bronco lines that will continue at the plant .

Production Target

The joint venture aims to eventually reach full capacity of approximately 500,000 vehicles per year, which would surpass the plant's historical peak of roughly 449,000 units .

Strategic Motivations

• For Geely — Avoiding EU tariffs: The European Union imposes an 18.8% countervailing duty on Geely's battery-electric vehicles imported from China, on top of the standard 10% import duty . By manufacturing inside the EU, Geely bypasses these tariffs entirely .
• For Ford — Reviving an underutilized plant: The Almussafes facility had been operating at well below capacity — producing fewer than 100,000 vehicles annually in recent years — as Ford shifted its European EV strategy. The joint venture fills idle lines and secures the plant's long-term future .

Regulatory Timeline

• Joint venture operations are expected to begin in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals .
• First production vehicles are scheduled to roll off the line in late 2028 .

Political Involvement

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the Almussafes factory on July 23, 2026, to welcome the agreement in person, saying it demonstrated Spain's ability to attract international investment and anchor automotive manufacturing in the country . Sánchez had also played a direct role in facilitating the deal through earlier government engagement .

Key Sources

1. Reuters — "China's Geely to make electric SUVs at Ford Spain plant, jointly develop model for Europe" (July 23, 2026)
2. Bloomberg — "Ford and Geely Agree to Share Underused Spanish Auto Factory" (July 22, 2026)
3. France24 — "Ford and Geely to form joint venture at struggling Spain plant" (July 23, 2026)
4. SCMP — "China's Geely partners with Ford to revive Spain plant and deepen European EV drive" (July 23, 2026)
5. PRNewswire (official joint press release) — "Ford and Geely Auto join forces in Europe" (July 23, 2026)
6. CNBC — "China's Geely to make EVs at Ford plant in Spain under new joint venture" (July 23, 2026)
7. RTVE — "Pedro Sánchez, en directo en la planta de Ford Almussafes" (July 23, 2026)
8. Europa Press — photos of Sánchez's visit to the factory (July 23, 2026)