Ford today announced new all-electric vehicle (EV) production plans for the European market while Volkswagen announced an expansion of its collaboration with Ford for EV production.
Ford at its Cologne plant will begin production of two new all-electric vehicles, a five-seat, medium-sized crossover in 2023 and a sports crossover in 2024. EV production at the plant will increase to 1.2 million vehicles over a six-year period. The plans include construction of a new battery assembly facility that will begin operations in 2024.
Volkswagen Group today announced an expansion of its strategic alliance with Ford Motor Company, based on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB) open platform. Ford had already planned to use one model based on the MEB and according to today’s announcement now plans to use the open platform for a second model.
A Volkswagen representative confirmed to IndustryWeek that the first vehicle to use the MEB is the medium-sized crossover that begins production in Cologne in 2023 and the second vehicle is the sports crossover that begins production in Cologne in 2024.
Also in 2024, the Ford plant in Craiova, Romania, will begin production of an electric version of the Puma passenger vehicle and all-electric versions of the Transit Custom one-ton van and Tourneo Custom multi-purpose vehicle. Ford also today announced that Fort Otosan, a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding, will assume ownership of the Craiova plant and manufacturing business, subject to regulatory approval and consultation.
Two additional all-electric vehicles, the Tourneo Courier multi-purpose vehicle and a smaller version of the Transit Courier van will also begin production in 2024. Ford expects annual EV sales in Europe to exceed 600,000 units in 2026. The company also announced a zero emissions target for all vehicle sales in Europe and carbon neutrality for all its facilities, logistics, and suppliers by 2035.
Ford also announced today a non-binding MOU with SK On Co., Ltd and Koç Holding for construction of an EV battery facility near Ankara, Turkey, with production planned to begin as early as mid-decade.
