Ford says Morocco should be included in future “Made in Europe” rules, arguing that Europe’s car industry now depends on supply chains that stretch beyond the EU.
Speaking at a European strategy event in Salzburg, the company said Morocco, Turkey and the UK should be treated as key partners. Ford warned that limiting the label to EU countries alone would raise costs and hurt the industry.
The company said this would be “a major strategic mistake” and would “inevitably cause manufacturing costs to rise, directly impacting consumers’ wallets”.
The message comes as Ford launches its new global brand platform, Ready Set Ford. In Europe, the company plans to focus on vans, connected services, electric vehicles and rally-inspired models.
Ford also asked EU regulators to slow down and be more realistic about the move away from petrol and diesel cars. It warned that if prices stay high and charging points remain limited, many drivers will simply keep their old vehicles longer.
The issue is even bigger for vans. Electric vans currently make up only 10% of new registrations. Small businesses still struggle with public charging stations and long delays to connect their depots to the electricity grid.
Ford Pro is moving towards connected services and fleet management tools. Using real-time data from vehicles, the company says it can predict faults and reduce downtime. Early tests show workshop downtime can fall by up to 50%, with 80% of problems detected early.
New vehicles are also on the way. Ford plans to launch the Ranger Super Duty for heavy work and the fully electric Transit City van for city deliveries. Five new passenger models made in Europe are planned by 2029, including a compact SUV inspired by the Bronco, to be built in Valencia from 2028.
What is Morocco’s growing role in Ford?
Ford does not build cars in Morocco, but the country has become an important supplier for its European factories.
Moroccan companies supply parts to Ford’s large plant in Valencia, helped by the short distance across the Mediterranean. Ford also runs a purchasing office in Tangier that works with suppliers in Morocco’s free zones to source wiring systems, cables and other components. The company has sharply increased the amount of parts it buys from Morocco in recent years.
A long presence in the market
Ford has been selling cars in Morocco for more than a century through SCAMA, part of the Auto Hall group. The network now includes more than 20 showrooms and service centres across the country.
Morocco is one of Ford’s strongest markets in North Africa. Vans such as the Transit and Tourneo are popular with businesses, while SUVs and hybrids like the Ranger, Explorer and Territory Hybrid are gaining ground.
