Ford has announced significant steps towards a 100% electric future in Europe. A vision that will see the company transform itself and offer a new generation of 7 100% electric and connected vehicles: 3 cars and 4 commercial vehicles, by 2024.
“I am amazed to see the pace of change in Europe: it challenges our entire industry to produce better, cleaner and more digital vehicles. Ford is fully involved in change and is moving fast to meet demand in Europe and the rest of the world “- said Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company – “this is why we created Ford Model and giving us the ability to move with the speed of a start-up to build electric vehicles that can surprise and offer unique connected services and that are built with experience and safety requirements. typical of Ford. “
With this extended range of passenger cars and commercial vehicles, Ford expects its annual sales of electric vehicles in Europe to exceed 600,000 units in 2026 and announces its intention to generate a EBIT (Earnings before Interest & Tax, ndr) del 6% in Europa nel 2023. The acceleration in Europe supports Ford’s goal of globally selling more than 2 million electric vehicles by 2026 and generating a total EBIT margin of 10%.
“Our march towards a 100% electric future is an absolute necessity for Ford. It is to meet the mobility needs of a Europe in the process of transformation “- said Stuart Rowley, President of Ford of Europe – “But it is also based on the growing need to take care of the planet which is why we are committed to making a positive contribution to society by reducing emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement”.
The company also announced that by 2035 it will reach the goal of “zero emissions” for all vehicles sold and carbon neutrality among all its European plants, logistics and suppliers.
Seven new electric vehicles by 2024
Starting in 2023, Ford will begin production of a new electric car, a medium crossover built in Cologne, Germany, and a second electric car that will join the Cologne plant in 2024. In addition, its best-selling car in Europe, the Ford Puma will be available in a 100% electric version from 2024 and will be produced in Craiova in Romania.
Reaffirming its leadership in commercial vehicle sales in Europe, the iconic Transit family will welcome 4 new electric models – the all-new 1 tonne Transit Custom Van and Tourneo Custom in 2023 and the smaller, next generation Transit Courier and Tourneo Courier, in 2024.
“These new electric vehicles indicate what is a true total transformation of our brand in Europe – a complete new generation of zero-emission vehicles, designed for a connected world and able to offer our customers a very high level of experience. of possession, “ Rowley said.
Investment and production of electric vehicles in Cologne
Ford has confirmed that the first volume electric car that will be produced in the Ford Cologne Electrification Center it will be a medium 5-seater Crossover. In 2021, SUVs and crossovers accounted for 58% of all Ford cars sold on the continent, nearly 20% more than in 2020.
The electric crossover sets new boundaries for Ford. The vehicle, which will have a range of 500km on a single charge, and its name will be revealed later in the year. Production will start in 2023.
Confirmation that a second electric car – a sports crossover – will be built at the Ford Cologne Electrification Center means the plant’s production capacity will be increased to 1.2 million vehicles over a 6-year period. The investment to enable the production of the second vehicle in Cologne is estimated to be $ 2 billion. The plan includes a new battery assembly plant that will begin operations in 2024.
A new Joint Venture that aims to increase the production of batteries in Europe
To support the ambitious plan to introduce electric vehicles, Ford, SK on Co., and Koc Holding have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for a new Joint Venture in Turkey, capable of being a leader in the sector. Subject to the signing of a final agreement, the three partners plan to create one of the largest plants in Europe for the production of batteries for electric vehicles.
The joint venture will be located near Ankara and will produce NMC high Nikel cells ready to be assembled into battery modules. Production is expected to start by the middle of the decade with annual capacity expected to range from 30 to 45 Gigawatts now.
The investment that the three partners are planning in the joint venture, including support from the Turkish Government, will directly benefit European users of large and small commercial vehicles by reducing energy and operating costs and allowing for a significant reduction in emissions. of CO2.
Strengthening of the production capacity of Craiova
Ford’s production facility in Craiova, Romania will play a significant role in Europe’s growth plan for electric and commercial vehicles.
From 2024, consumers will be able to purchase a 100% electric version of the Ford Puma, the popular compact crossover of the Blue Oval. The Puma was the best-selling Ford car in Europe in 2021 and the 100% electric version when it goes into production in Craiova. in 2024, it will bring this successful car to a wider audience of European consumers.
In addition, the New Transit Courier – the popular light commercial vehicle – and the new Tourneo Courier the compact multi-use passenger car, will also be produced in Craiova from 2023 and will have a 100% electric version from 2024.
Finally, to further enhance the production capacity of electric vehicles and commercial vehicles, Ford announced this morning that Ford Otosan will acquire ownership of the Craiova plant and manufacturing operations, subject to regulatory approvals and company consultations. Ford Otosan, the joint venture with Koc Holding, is one of the longest-running and most successful in the entire auto industry.
“We are pleased to take this opportunity to grow our joint venture with Koc Holding and leverage this strategic partnership to optimize the use of our resources and capabilities in Romania” – Rowley said – “Ford Craiova is today a great success story and we are convinced that through Ford Otosan’s experience and knowledge of electrification and commercial vehicles, it will reach even higher levels”.