Geely EX2 (symbolic image)Image: GeelyNeither company has confirmed the deal so far, and the information currently stems solely from a report by La Tribuna de Automoción, citing industry sources. According to the report, Geely is evaluating the production of its own model in Almussafes (internal project ‘135’) based on the GEA platform (Global Intelligent Electric Architecture), which supports powertrains ranging from full hybrids and plug-in hybrids to fully electric drivetrains. Geely is also reportedly considering producing a Ford model based on the same platform.The vehicle in question is apparently a derivative of the Geely EX2, which is expected to be marketed in Europe as the E2. The EX2 itself is the global version of the Chinese bestseller Yingyuan. Geely designed the vehicle as a particularly affordable model and currently sells it in China at prices starting from the equivalent of around 8,400 euros.The EX2 measures around 4.14 metres in length and features a 40 kWh LFP battery as well as an 85 kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle. Geely states that charging from 30 to 80 per cent takes 25 minutes, but the company has not disclosed a charging time for the more common ten to 80 per cent window.‘Body 3’ houses the newest facilities at Ford’s Valencia plant, although Ford currently does not use them. The company presently builds only the mid-size Kuga SUV at the site, using the lines in ‘Body 2’ and, according to La Tribuna de Automoción’ parts of ‘Body 1’ to a limited extent.Ford previously also produced the Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max in Spain, but discontinued those model lines without direct successors. Ford originally planned to build electric cars in Valencia as well, with the Spanish plant having won out over Saarlouis in Germany in the allocation process. However, little has been heard about the planned Spanish EV model since then.According to the report, the ‘Body 3’ facilities are configured in a way that would allow Geely to operate production independently without sharing supply chains inside the plant with Ford. The Chinese manufacturer could therefore act largely autonomously. The report also states that Geely has already contacted suppliers in the surrounding area. Although the GEA platform supports multiple drivetrain types, battery-electric vehicle production would make the most sense in Europe, as only BEVs imported from China are subject to the EU’s additional tariffs, while hybrids are exempt.Initial talks between Geely and Ford regarding ‘technology and production’ had already become public in February through a Reuters report, including discussions about Ford’s production capacities in Europe. At the time, however, reports differed on the details, with some suggesting Geely would use Ford’s facilities independently, while others referred to joint production. If the latest report proves accurate, both scenarios could materialise: Geely would manufacture vehicles largely independently within Ford’s facilities, but not only for its own brands, also for Ford.If Geely were indeed to build an electric Ford model in Valencia, it would add another layer of complexity to the US manufacturer’s European EV strategy. Ford currently offers the Mustang Mach-E in Europe, imported from Mexico, and builds the Puma Gen-E in Craiova, Romania, based on its own platform. The company also completely converted its Cologne plant to EV production, where it currently manufactures the Explorer and Capri based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform.More recently, Ford also formed a new partnership with Renault. The French manufacturer is expected to build small electric cars for Ford based on the RGEV Small platform (formerly AmpR Small), including a possible electric successor to the Fiesta. Ford would therefore end up offering electric vehicles based on Ford platforms, Volkswagen technology, Renault architecture and Geely underpinnings.latribunadeautomocion.es (in Spanish)