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Saarland's economy is in transition: Ford plant closes after 55 years!
Saarlouis will experience an industrial change in 2025: Ford closes factory, 1,700 jobs affected, new projects are crucial.
Saarland's economy is in transition: Ford plant closes after 55 years!
The face of industry in Saarland has changed significantly in recent years. A striking example of this is the Ford plant in Saarlouis, which stopped production after 55 years. The last car rolled off the assembly line at the end of 2025. Over 15 million vehicles were produced in the factory's halls, but now only around 1,000 of the original 2,700 employees remain in reduced component and spare parts production. The structural change is particularly evident here, and the effects are noticeable for many. Saarbrücker Zeitung reports on a comprehensive loss of industrial jobs as well as falling purchasing power and municipal value creation in the region.
The change towards electromobility not only affects Ford, but also the car suppliers in Saarland. Companies like ZF in Saarbrücken are investing in electric drives, but at the same time have to cut numerous jobs. Bosch and Schaeffler in Homburg are also confronted with a decline in orders and restructuring measures. The unclear EU policy on the phase-out of combustion engines also creates uncertainty. SVolt, a Chinese battery manufacturer, has postponed its production start several times, and the early termination of its lease in 2025 shows how rocky the road to transformation can be.
The challenges of structural change
The challenges arising from structural and innovation change should not be underestimated. It becomes clear that location factors that determine the attractiveness for companies play a decisive role. These include both hard factors such as the availability of qualified labor and transport infrastructure, as well as soft factors affecting the general living environment. Proximity to suppliers and the various legal frameworks are particularly important for the automotive industry. [Knowunity].
The structural change in the automotive industry is not only a technical but also a social challenge. The social dimension is increasingly being discussed in the debate about electromobility and its impact on jobs and training opportunities. The focus is on how innovation systems react to changes and which actors are involved in this process. Kluedo analyzes these connections and points out that dual education and close cooperation between business, science and politics could bring new impetus to regional development.
Outlook and perspectives
The economic forecasts for 2026 show mini-growth, but the negative effects from the end of Ford production and job cuts in suppliers will be clearly noticeable. The future of Saarland depends largely on how quickly the former Ford site can be filled with sustainable projects and how well the qualification of employees in the supplier companies progresses. The success of these measures could result in a stronger industrial policy narrative in Saarland, while in the event of failure there is a risk of further reductions and missed opportunities. Change is here, and it remains to be seen how the region responds.