Ford announced a new generation of seven all-electric, fully-connected passenger vehicles and vans for European market by 2024.
Starting in 2023, Ford will begin production of an all-new electric passenger vehicle, a medium-sized crossover, built in Cologne, Germany, with a second electric vehicle added to the Cologne production line-up in 2024. In addition, the Ford Puma will be available as an electric version made in Craiova, Romania, starting in 2024.
Ford’s iconic 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.
The American company has created a new global business unit called Ford Model E, focused on the design, production, and distribution of electric and connected vehicles. Together with Ford Pro -the business unit focused on Ford’s commercial vehicle business-, both will define Ford’s future in Europe.
With its extended range of electric passenger and commercial vehicle models, Ford expects its annual sales of electric vehicles in Europe to exceed 600,000 units in 2026, and also reaffirmed its intention to deliver a 6 % EBIT margin in Europe in 2023. The acceleration in Europe supports Ford’s goal to sell more than 2 million EVs globally by 2026 and deliver company adjusted EBIT margin of 10 %.
Also, the company aims for zero carbon emissions for all vehicle sales in Europe and carbon neutrality across its European footprint of facilities, logistics and suppliers by 2035.
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EV production and investment in Germany
Ford confirmed that the first volume all-electric passenger vehicle to come out of the Ford Cologne Electrification Centre will be a five-seat, medium-sized crossover. Capable of a 500 Km driving range on a single charge, the vehicle and its name will be revealed later in 2022, with production beginning in 2023.
A second, all-electric passenger vehicle will be built at the Ford Cologne Electrification Centre. As a result, the electric vehicle production at the facility will increase to 1.2 million vehicles over a six-year timeframe.
Investment in the new electric passenger vehicles to be built in Cologne is expected to be $2 billion. It includes a new battery assembly facility scheduled to start operations in 2024.
Boosting EV manufacturing capacity in Romania
Ford’s manufacturing plant in Craiova, Romania, will play a significant role in the company’s electric and commercial vehicle growth plans in Europe.
From 2024, European customers will be able to purchase an all-electric version of the Ford Puma. The Puma was Ford’s best-selling passenger vehicle in Europe in 2021, and the all-electric Puma will bring this successful new nameplate to an even wider group of European customers when it goes into production in Craiova in 2024.
Additionally, the all-new Transit Courier, the popular light commercial vehicle, and Tourneo Courier, a compact multi-purpose vehicle, will also be produced in Craiova from 2023, with all-electric versions coming in 2024.
To further boost electric and commercial vehicle capacity, Ford announced that Ford Otosan will assume ownership of the Craiova plant and manufacturing business, subject to regulatory approval and consultation. Ford Otosan is one of the longest running and most successful joint ventures in the global auto industry.
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