Ford (F) and Chinese automaker Geely (GELYF) are in talks over a potential partnership, Reuters reported, citing eight people with knowledge of the ongoing discussions.
The companies are discussing Geely (GELYF) possibly using Ford’s (F) factory space in Europe to produce vehicles for the region, most likely involving Ford’s plant in Valencia, Spain.
Ford (F) and (GELYF) also talked about a potential framework for shared vehicle technologies, including for automated driving.
The discussions have been underway for months, and sources noted that the talks centered on European manufacturing are more advanced.
Ford (F) reportedly sent a delegation to China this week to ramp up talks with Geely (GELYF), after the companies’ executives met last week in Michigan.
Using Ford’s (F) factory space in Europe would likely help Geely (GELYF) avoid the European Union’s tariffs on electric vehicles made in China.
“We have discussions with lots of companies all the time on a variety of topics. Sometimes they materialize, sometimes they don’t,” Ford (F) stated. Geely (GELYF) declined to comment on the report.