U.S. automaker Ford and China’s Geely are “in talks” about a possible collaboration that would combine manufacturing in Europe with shared vehicle technologies, Reuters reported, citing sources.
People familiar with the discussions said the two groups are weighing whether Ford’s European plants could assemble vehicles for Geely to sell locally, while also examining collaboration on in-vehicle technologies such as automated driving systems.
Two sources described the European manufacturing element as more advanced than other aspects.
Ford recently sent a team to China to intensify negotiations, following meetings in Michigan between top executives from both sides last week.
Five people said talks have been ongoing for several months.
According to the report, Chinese automakers remain largely excluded from the US market due to tariffs and restrictions introduced during the Biden administration over national security concerns related to vehicle software and data.
Any plan involving Chinese technology in the United States would likely draw scrutiny from the Trump administration and lawmakers.
One person said Ford’s Valencia plant is the leading candidate to participate.
Producing vehicles within the bloc could help Geely circumvent tariffs imposed by the European Union on electric cars made in China.
In 2024, the European Union introduced provisional levies of up to 37.6% on imported Chinese electric vehicles.
Other manufacturers are also setting up European production.
Leapmotor plans to use a Stellantis factory in Spain through a joint venture, while Guangzhou Automobile Group and XPeng are working with Magna International in Austria.
Geely already works with Renault in South Korea and Brazil, and has previously faced criticism in Washington over Ford’s decision to license battery technology to CATL.
Geely Auto, home of Zeekr and Lynk & Co, said sales rose 39% in 2025, to just over three million vehicles.
Separately, the Financial Times reported talks between Ford and Xiaomi about producing electric vehicles in the US, although both companies denied the claim.
Recently, Geely Holding Group outlined its plans to increase global vehicle sales beyond 6.5 million by 2030 under a new strategic plan.
“Ford and Geely discuss European production and technology collaboration” was created and originally published by Just Auto, a brand owned by GlobalData.
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