Magna International and contract manufacturer VDL Nedcar are interested in taking over Ford Motor Co.'s car plant in Saarlouis, Germany, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The two companies join China's BYD in showing interest in the factory, which will have no new model when Ford ends production of its Focus compact car there in 2025.
The plant's future has been unclear since last June when Ford picked its factory in Valencia, Spain, to build its next-generation electric vehicles for Europe instead of Saarlouis.
Canada's Magna and VDL Nedcar, based in the Netherlands, are considering bidding for the Saarlouis plant, sources familiar with the talks told Automotive News sister publication Automobilwoche.
Magna builds BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Toyota and Fisker cars at its Magna Steyr factory in Graz, Austria.
VDL Nedcar builds the X1 and Mini brand cars for BMW Group.
The acquisition of Saarlouis by a contract man…