US-based automaker Ford and China’s Geely are ‘in talks’ over a potential collaboration that would combine manufacturing in Europe with shared vehicle technologies, reported Reuters, 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.
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Two sources described the European manufacturing element as further advanced than other aspects.
Ford has recently dispatched a team to China to step up negotiations, following meetings in Michigan between senior executives from both sides last week.
Five individuals said the conversations have been ongoing for several months.
According to the report, Chinese automakers remain largely shut out of the US market because of tariffs and restrictions introduced during the Biden administration over national-security concerns linked to vehicle software and data.
Any plan involving Chinese technology in the US would probably draw scrutiny from the Trump administration and lawmakers.
One person said Ford’s site in Valencia is the leading candidate to take part.
Producing vehicles within the bloc could help Geely sidestep the European Union duties imposed on China-built electric cars.
In 2024, the European Union introduced provisional levies of as much as 37.6% on imported Chinese EVs.
Other manufacturers are also setting up European output.
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 from CATL.
Geely Auto, home to Zeekr and Lynk & Co, said sales rose 39% in 2025 to just above three million vehicles.
Separately, the Financial Times reported talks between Ford and Xiaomi over US EV production, though both companies denied the claim.
Recently, Geely Holding Group outlined plans to lift global vehicle sales beyond 6.5 million by 2030 under a new strategic blueprint.
