May 6 (Reuters) - Chinese automaker Geely (0175.HK) has purchased part of a Ford (F.N) factory in Spain and plans to build one of its models there, Spanish trade publication La Tribuna de Automocion reported, citing unnamed sector sources.
Geely, China’s second-largest automaker after BYD, is in the midst of wider negotiations first reported by Reuters in February for shared vehicle technologies.
Geely did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report published on Tuesday. A Ford representative called the news speculation and declined to comment.
Geely is one of many Chinese automakers moving to set up production in Europe to skirt tariffs and increasingly strict regulations on importing foreign-made cars.
The company has agreed to purchase the Body 3 vehicle assembly facilities at the Almussafes plant in Valencia, La Tribuna de Automocion reported, adding that the automakers were also considering having Geely build a model for Ford.
The same publication reported on Wednesday that Chinese automaker SAIC Motor (600104.SS) was considering a site in the northwestern Spanish port town of Ferrol, in Galicia, for production in Europe, citing unnamed sources familiar with negotiations.
The Galician government did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
In April, Galician Premier Alfonso Rueda visited SAIC Motor’s headquarters in Zhengzhou on a trip intended to attract investment from China to the region.

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- Chinese automaker Geily has acquired part of a Ford factory in Spain to produce one of its models.  
- This move is part of broader negotiations for shared vehicle technologies and is aimed at establishing production in Europe to avoid tariffs and regulations on imported cars.  
- Additionally, SAIC Motor is exploring production sites in Galicia, with recent efforts by local authorities to attract Chinese investment.

Reuters

GEELY AUTOMOBILE HOLDINGS LIMITED SPON ADS EACH REP 20 ORD

Geely Auto

Ford Motor

GEELY AUTO

BYD COMPANY

BYD Company

SAIC Motor

GEELY AUTO-R

FORD MOTOR CO 6.20% NOTES DUE 01/06/2059 USD25

FORD MOTOR CO 6.000% NOTES DUE 1/12/2059 USD25

FORD MOTOR CO 6.500% NOTES DUE 15/08/2062 USD25

BYD HK SDR 10to1

BYD Company Limited

BYD COMPANY-R

Chinese carmaker Geely buys Ford assembly facilities in Spain, local media reports