Ford to introduce four new electric commercial vehicles in Europe by 2024

In recent months Ford Motor Company resigned its ‘Go Further’ slogan and introduced ‘Bring on Tomorrow’ in time for its transformation and transition towards an all-electric future in Europe. By 2024, the company will be and offering a new generation of three all-electric, fully-connected passenger vehicles and and four zero-emission vans. With this 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, according to Stuart Rowley, Chairman, Ford of Europe at a special on-line press briefing: “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.”

Together, these efforts will support Ford’s global plans to significantly reduce carbon emissions. The company is targeting zero emissions for all vehicle sales in Europe and carbon neutrality across its European footprint of facilities, logistics and suppliers by 2035.

Reaffirming its leadership as Europe’s top-selling commercial vehicle brand, Ford’s Transit range will include four new electric models, to join the recently launched e-Transit – the next generation 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, which will come as an emission-free variant in 2024.

“These new Ford electric vehicles signal what is nothing less than the total transformation of our brand in Europe – a new generation of zero-emission vehicles, optimised for a connected world, offering our customers truly outstanding user experiences,” added Steve.

To support Ford’s ambitious vehicle electrification plans, Ford, SK On Co., Ltd. and Koç Holding have signed 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. The investment the three partners are planning in the battery joint venture – including support from the Turkish Government – will directly benefit large and small commercial vehicle operators across Europe, reducing energy and running costs and providing a significant contribution to CO2 reduction.

Ford’s manufacturing plant in Craiova, Romania, will play a significant role in the company’s electric and commercial vehicle growth plans in Europe.

The all-new Transit Courier, Ford’s popular light commercial vehicle, and Tourneo Courier, a compact multi-purpose vehicle, will be produced in Craiova from 2023, with all-electric versions coming in 2024.

To further boost electric and commercial vehicle capacity, Ford also announced that its Turkish manufacturing partner, Ford Otosan will assume ownership of the Craiova plant and manufacturing business, subject to regulatory approval and consultation. Ford Otosan, a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding, is one of the longest running and most successful joint ventures in the global auto industry.

“We welcome this opportunity to grow our joint venture with Koc Holding and leverage this strategic partnership to better utilize our resources and know-how in Romania. Ford Craiova is today a strong success story, and we believe that through Ford Otosan’s experience and expertise in electrification and commercial vehicles it can reach even higher levels of achievement,” concluded Steve.