SpainFord and Geely are setting up a joint venture at Ford’s plant in Valencia, Spain, the factory that currently builds the Kuga. Ford will hold 66% of the venture and Geely 34%. It is not a sale of the plant - the partnership is meant to fill a site running at roughly a quarter of its capacity, while giving Geely a manufacturing base in Europe.
Kuga could move to Geely’s GEA platform
One of the first projects to come out of the venture could be the next-generation Kuga. According to Auto Express, the new crossover is expected around 2029 and may switch to Geely’s GEA architecture - the same platform underpinning the Geely EX5 and the Starray EM-i. GEA supports electric, hybrid and EREV powertrains, along with multiple drivetrain layouts.
Ford says it plans to start with an electric version, but considers multiple powertrain options important for the European market. One possible reference point is the Starray EM-i’s plug-in hybrid system: a 1.5-litre engine paired with an electric motor, batteries of 18.4 or 29.8 kWh, 262 hp combined, and up to 1,055 km of combined range.
The next Kuga is expected to measure around 4.5 m and will carry Ford’s own design language. The Kuga name itself has not been confirmed for the new model.
