Carmaker Ford is in negotiations with Chinese electric car maker BYD about a potential sale of its Saarlouis factory in Germany, which currently produces the Focus. It is also assessing interest from up to 15 other potential buyers. 

Production of the Focus is due to end in 2025. The company is currently reducing its workforce and the Saarlouis plant employs 4,600 workers. The factory is located in the region of Saarland and Ford is working with the regional economy minister to find a viable buyer. 

BYD would be a significant buyer as it is currently the world's largest battery-electric and plug-in hybrids vehicle maker, outselling specialist such as Tesla, as well as more traditional car manufacturers. In 2022 BYD sold some 1.86 million electric vehicles, against some 1.3 million delivered by Tesla.  

The company currently sells a limited range of models in a few European countries, but has ambitious plans to expand, targeting dramatic growth in the European EV market. It is also understood that BTYD may have the capacity to significantly undercut current EV prices in Europe.