Ford Otosan celebrates the new direction of its establishment Yeniköy, completely renovated and dedicated to the production of the new generation of the Ford Transit Custom. Thus increasing productivity for Ford Pro commercial vehicles across Europe. The system upgrade interventions include advanced technologies for solar energyproduction management through artificial intelligence and low noise impact assembly lines. They were carried out as part of the €2 billion investment in Ford Otosan production facilities in Kocaeli, including Yeniköy. This is the largest investment ever made in the private sector in Turkey.
Between solar energy and artificial intelligence: the Ford Otosan case
Ford Otosan is a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding A.Ş., listed on the stock exchange and founded over 60 years ago. The completely renovated plant produces the new generation of the Transit Custom – the best-selling one-tonne van in Europe – and that of the Tourneo Custo multi-activity vehicle which offers superior comfort and extraordinary space configurability to accommodate up to nine on board occupants.
Production of theE-Transit Custom and E-Tourneo Custom 100% electricwhich will help Ford Otosan achieve carbon neutrality at all of its plants in Turkey by 2030.
The plant is now one of the most efficient in the entire automotive industry. Part of the annual electricity consumption is provided by integrated innovative applications, including the use of photovoltaic glass walls for the first time in the Turkish automotive sector. Additional solar panels on the roof help reduce the input of energy from outside, which in any case comes from certified renewable sources. Additionally, Solar Wall technology captures sunlight to heat the facility’s water, reducing natural gas consumption.
Cutting-edge solutions are used throughout the entire production process. Real-time data and artificial intelligence combine to create virtual simulations “digital twin” of production, helping to optimize efficiency and enable timely adjustment to fluctuations in demand, component supply or changes in production processes.
The vision towards the future
In the 2025the Yeniköy plant will increase its capacity to 405,000 units for the production of the new generation one-tonne vehicles.
Already available to order, the new Transit Custom has been reinvented with innovations designed to elevate the on-board experience, such as the tilt steering wheel, available for the first time in the segment, and the Delivery Assist, which reduces delivery time, while the Tourneo Custom offers new levels of capacity, luxury and design in a versatile multi-activity vehicle with up to 9 seats.
Both vehicles offer the widest choice of variants ever available, including new plug-in hybrid models and intelligent all-wheel drive, as well as full integration with the Ford Pro software and services platform via 5G connectivity as standard. L’100% electric E-Transit Custom and E-Tourneo Custom they will be available next year.