Part 4/11:
For years, government subsidies have been a crucial factor in Europe’s EV growth, with countries like Germany offering substantial financial support that made electric vehicles more attractive. However, the abrupt removal of these incentives in 2024 sent shockwaves through the industry. In Germany, Ford's largest market in Europe, EV sales plummeted by 37%. This reliance on financial incentives exposed a critical weakness; without such support, many consumers were unready to make the switch to electric. The declining demand has left Ford’s Cologne plant—designed for EV production—facing significant challenges.