Ford Motor Company has entered a joint venture with Chinese automaker Geely to manufacture electric SUVs at a facility in Spain. The agreement has drawn sharp criticism from U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, who argues the move aids the Chinese Communist Party's global ambitions.
Ford's 66 Percent Stake and the 2028 Crossover Goal
The partnership establishes a joint venture where Ford Motor Company maintains a 66 percent ownership stake, while Geely holds the remaining 34 percent. According to the report, this collaboration focuses on the production of two existing Geely electric SUV models at Ford's Spanish plant, alongside the joint development of a brand-new electric drive crossover vehicle.
This new crossover model is a central pillar of the agreement, with expectations that the vehicle will begin rolling off the assembly lines in 2028. The venture is designed to help Ford Motor Company navigate a European market characterized by tightening regulations and relentless cost pressures.
Rep. John Moolenaar's Warning on CCP Supply Chain Dominance
The deal has sparked a political firestorm in Washington. Rep. John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, claims that Ford Motor Company is actively assisting the CCP in its quest to dominate global automotive supply chains. Moolenaar argues that such partnerships increase global dependence on China and facilitate the "decimation" of European auto markets.
Moolenaar has urged Ford Motor Company to pivot its collaborative efforts toward national allies rather than adversaries . his critique suggests that by sharing infrastructure and resources with Geely , the American automaker is inadvertently strengthening a geopolitical rival's foothold in the West.
The Spain Factory and the Reality of Cratered European Sales
Ford spokesman Dave Tovar defended the decision by highlighting the volatility of the European landscape. Tovar noted that Ford Motor Company is competing head-on with every major global automaker, including those from China. As reported, Tovar stated that Ford is "only too happy" to sell production capacity in Europe to Geely because Ford's own sales in that region have cratered.
This pragmatic approach suggests that the Spain factory was becoming a liability. By leveraging Geely's demand for production space, Ford Motor Company can maintain the utility of its European assets while offsetting the losses from its own declining market share in the region.
Why Tariffs Fail to Stop the Chinese EV Tidal Wave
Industry experts suggest that the Ford-Geely partnership is symptomatic of a broader shift where rivals must collaborate to survive the capital-intensive transition to electrification . There is a growing consensus among analysts that the current U.S. strategy of utilizing tariffs and protectionist regulations to block cheap Chinese EVs is destined to fail.
Experts argue that these "protective walls" actually hinder domestic automakers by blocking the transfer of operational know-how and technology that Chinese EV leaders already possess. According to the source, if Detroit-based companies like Ford Motor Company cannot learn to cut costs and develop lower-priced vehicles, they may eventually be forced to sell their plants entirely rather than sharing them through joint ventures.
Which Two Geely SUV Models Will Hit the Spanish Line?
Despite the detail regarding ownership percentages and timelines, several key specifics remain unverified. the report mentions the production of "two models" of Geely's electric SUVs but does not name the specific vehicles. Furthermore, while the 2028 crossover is mentioned , the exact financial terms of the joint venture beyond the equity split have not been disclosed.
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