Ford Cologne: Future MEB Electric Cars Instead of Fiesta

Ford is also making a radical shift: After GM announced the end of combustion engines by 2035 and even Dodge plans to push its Hellcat muscle cars to new heights with electricity instead of V8s, Dearborn is also switching to the electric lane and moving away from planned (plug-in) hybrids in favor of pure electric models. Both points emerge from a report in Automobilwoche, which cites insiders. In this, Automobilwoche quotes a source close to Ford who speaks plainly:

"The decision is made, the electric car based on Volkswagen's MEB is coming to Cologne."

That Ford would bring an electric model based on MEB has been a given for some time. Several media outlets reported at the end of November that not only will the development of Ford's future electric model based on MEB take place in Cologne-Merkenich, but so will its production. Which makes sense, as the paths to VW couldn't be shorter for the Ford group, both in development and later in production.

With the announcement of its business figures, Ford also shared that it plans to nearly double its investments in electrification to at least $29 billion by 2025. However, Ford's plan to discontinue combustion engine models faster than previously planned is also noteworthy. Additionally, already planned hybrid models have been scrapped in favor of pure electric models. Here too, the insider finds clear words:

"It was previously planned to launch one new electric model and one new hybrid model each year from 2023 to 2026. These new hybrid vehicles will no longer be available as planned."

So far, Ford manufactures electric vehicles in Mexico and the USA: The Mustang Mach-E comes from Mexico, and the electric pick-up and US top-seller F-150 will be produced from 2022 at the Michigan plant. Additionally, there is the factory in Missouri, which is set to start producing the electric Transit from the end of 2021, intended for Europe just like the internal combustion engine models that roll off the assembly line at the Turkish plant. Furthermore, Ford plans to convert two plants in Canada to begin producing electric SUVs for the luxury brand Lincoln from 2024. Additionally, the Mustang Mach-E will also be manufactured in China for the local market in the future.

What does this mean?

The world is turning fast – now also in the USA: And after even GM and Stellantis recently announced significant steps towards electrification (at least in their announcements), Ford is now following suit. The production of the Mach-E is underway, but progressing slowly: According to Automobilwoche, 4,250 units were produced in January, making a total of around 11,000 units so far. The fact that the MEB model will succeed the Fiesta in Cologne has two advantages: first, the proximity to Wolfsburg, and second, it brings a higher-margin model to the high-wage location in Cologne.