Ford: Puma, Custom, and Courier are coming electrically

The automaker Ford has further clarified its transformation steps after announcing the division of its business areas into combustion engine and electric models. By 2024, Ford plans to introduce three new electric passenger cars and four new electric commercial vehicles to the European market. From 2026, the volume of electric vehicles on the continent is expected to rise to 600,000 units. Recently, the U.S. manufacturer announced plans to establish an independent electric vehicle business under the Ford Model e division.

"This will allow us to act with the speed of a startup and build electric vehicles that not only excite but also offer unique and connected Ford services while ensuring high Ford development and safety standards," stated Jim Farley, CEO of Ford.

Starting in 2023, the manufacturer will begin producing a new fully electric passenger car at its Cologne plant. From 2024, production in Cologne will be expanded to include a second new fully electric model. Additionally, Ford aims to launch its best-selling model in Europe, the Ford Puma, as a purely electric vehicle from 2024, manufactured in Craiova, Romania.

A new electric micro-van to replace the Courier

In terms of commercial vehicles, Ford confirmed four new electric models based on two series in addition to the already launched E-Transit. The Transit Custom in the one-ton transporter segment and the large family van Tourneo Custom, which is also developed leadingly for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in the cooperation, are set to launch in 2023. In 2024, the next generation of smaller vehicles, the fully electric Transit Courier and Tourneo Courier, will follow, apparently on their own basis beneath the cooperation model VW-Caddy, which runs largely identical as the Transit Connect at Ford.

“These new electric vehicles from Ford signal nothing less than the full transformation of our brand in Europe – a new generation of emission-free vehicles, optimized for a connected world, offering truly outstanding customer experiences,” added Stuart Rowley, President, Ford of Europe.

Electric vehicle production and investment in Cologne

Additionally, the manufacturer confirmed that the first fully electric vehicle to be produced at the Ford Electrification Center in Cologne will be a mid-size, five-seater sport crossover. In the past year, 2020, the proportion of sports utilities and crossover vehicles accounted for 58 percent of all passenger car sales by the brand in Europe, almost 20 percentage points higher than in 2020. With a range of 500 kilometers on a single battery charge, this new fully electric crossover model opens new possibilities for Ford. The name and the vehicle will be revealed later in 2022, with production at the Cologne plant beginning in 2023.

Furthermore, Ford announced plans to manufacture a second fully electric model at the Cologne location. The decision to produce a sport crossover as the second fully electric model at the "Cologne Electrification Center" means that the number of electric vehicles produced at the Cologne plant will rise to 1.2 million vehicles within six years, according to the manufacturer. Investments in the new electric passenger cars produced in Cologne are expected to amount to two billion US dollars. Additionally, a new facility for battery assembly is planned, set to start production in 2024.

New Joint Venture to boost battery production in Europe

To support Ford's ambitious plans for electrifying its vehicle fleet, Ford, SK On Co., Ltd. and the Koç Holding have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for a new, industry-leading joint venture in Turkey. Pending approval, the three partners plan to establish one of the largest production sites for commercial vehicle batteries in Europe. The joint venture would be based near Ankara and manufacture nickel-rich NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) cells for use in battery modules. Production is expected to begin by mid-decade.

The planned annual capacity is between 30 and 45 gigawatt-hours. The planned investment in the battery joint venture by the three partners is supported by the Turkish government and aims to help commercial vehicle operators across Europe reduce their energy and operating costs, while also making a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions.

Expanding electric vehicle capacity in Craiova

The Ford plant in Craiova, Romania, is also set to play a key role in the company's growth plans for electric and commercial vehicles in Europe. The production of the fully electric Puma in Craiova from 2024 is expected to build on the success of this model series and attract new customers to Ford. Moreover, the new Ford Transit Courier, a small van, and its combi version Tourneo Courier will also be produced in Craiova from 2023 and come to market as fully electric versions from 2024.

To further increase capacity for electric and commercial vehicles, Ford Otosan plans to take over the plant and production in Craiova. Ford Otosan is a joint venture between the Ford Motor Company and the Turkish Koç Holding and is one of the longest-standing and most successful joint ventures in the global automotive industry.