Ford has announced plans to introduce three new electric passenger vehicles and four new electric commercial vehicles in Europe by 2024. It’s planning to sell more than 600,000 electric vehicles in the region by 2026.
Starting in 2023, Ford will begin production of an all-new electric passenger vehicle, a medium-sized crossover, built in Cologne with a second electric vehicle added to the Cologne production line-up in 2024.
In addition, Ford’s top-selling passenger vehicle in Europe, the Ford Puma, will be available as an electric version made in Craiova, Romania, starting in 2024.
Ford’s Transit range will include four new electric models – the all-new Transit Custom one-tonne van and Tourneo Custom multi-purpose vehicle in 2023, and the smaller, next generation Transit Courier van and Tourneo Courier multi-purpose vehicle in 2024.
To support Ford’s vehicle electrification plans, Ford, SK On Co., Ltd. and Koç Holding have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a new, industry-leading joint venture business in Turkey.
Subject to execution of a final agreement, the three partners plan to create one of the largest EV battery facilities in the European wider region.
The joint venture would be located near Ankara and will manufacture high Nickel NMC cells for assembly into battery array modules.
Production is intended to start as early as mid-decade with an annual capacity likely to be in the range of 30 to 45 Gigawatt hours.
Stuart Rowley, Chair, Ford of Europe, says: “Our march toward an all-electric future is an absolute necessity for Ford to meet the mobility needs of customers across a transforming Europe. It’s also about the pressing need for greater care of our planet, making a positive contribution to society and reducing emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.”
Haydar Yenigun, General Manager, Ford Otosan, comments: “This milestone agreement we have reached today will strengthen Ford Otosan’s position as the largest commercial vehicle producer in Europe. We are proud to be part of Ford’s ongoing commercial vehicle leadership and committed to be the trusted partner for its future success with electrified vehicles at its center.”
“This arrangement shows how Ford is leveraging our strategic partnerships to better utilize our resources by sharing investments and benefitting from a wider pool of expertise. We welcome this opportunity to deepen our partnership with Koç Holdings in Ford Otosan, and to grow our mutual joint venture. Craiova is today a strong success story, but we believe that through Ford Otosan’s experience and expertise in electrification and commercial vehicles it can reach even higher levels of achievement,” adds Rowley.
in 2021, Ford confirmed that Craiova would build an all-new light commercial vehicle in 2023, with an all-electric version coming in 2024. Today, the company announced that the new light commercial vehicle is the next generation Transit Courier.
In addition, a compact multi-purpose vehicle – the Tourneo Courier – also is to be produced in Craiova from 2023, with an all-electric version in the following year.
