Ford confirms seven new BEVs for Europe

BY 2024, Ford will offer as many as three new electric passenger vehicles and four new electric commercial vehicles in Europe.

Next year, Ford will commence production of a new electric medium-sized crossover in Cologne, with a second BEV to be added to the German plant’s production line in 2024, which is also when an electric version of the Puma small SUV will be built in Craiova, Romania.

The battery-powered crossover “will be capable of a 500km driving range on a single charge”, Ford claimed, although the vehicle (and its name) will only be revealed later. A ‘sports crossover’ is also planned for the Cologne production line.

Meanwhile, Ford’s Transit range will include four new electric models – the Transit Custom one-tonne van and Tourneo Custom multi-purpose vehicle in 2023, as well as a smaller, next-generation Transit Courier van and Tourneo Courier multi-purpose vehicle in 2024.

The announcement underlines the Blue Oval’s ambition to sell more than 600,000 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in the region by 2026 and quickly follows the company’s creation of a new global business unit – Ford Model e – focused on the design, production, and distribution of electric and connected vehicles.

Along with the Ford Pro division dedicated to the brand’s commercial vehicle business, the Model e business unit is planned to “define Ford’s future in Europe”. 

“I am delighted to see the pace of change in Europe – challenging our entire industry to build better, cleaner and more digital vehicles,” said Ford president and CEO Jim Farley.

“Ford is all-in and moving fast to meet the demand in Europe and around the globe.”

With its extended range of electric passenger and commercial vehicle models, Ford expects its annual sales of electric vehicles in Europe to exceed 600,000 units in 2026. 

“Our march toward an all-electric future is a necessity for Ford to meet the mobility needs of customers across a transforming Europe,” said Ford of Europe chairman Stuart Rowley.

“It’s also about the need for greater care of our planet, making a positive contribution to society and reducing emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.”

The company also said it was targeting zero emissions for Ford vehicles sold in Europe – and carbon neutrality across its European footprint of facilities, logistics and suppliers – by 2035.

“These new electric vehicles signal what is nothing less than the total transformation of our brand in Europe – a new generation of zero-emission vehicles, optimised for a connected world, offering our customers truly outstanding user experiences,” added Mr Rowley.

Confirmation that two crossovers will be built at the Ford Cologne Electrification Centre means electric vehicle production at the facility will increase to 1.2 million vehicles over a six-year timeframe.

Investment in the new electric passenger vehicles to be built in Cologne will be about $2 billion (A$2.8 billion) and part of the expenditure includes a new battery assembly facility scheduled to start operations in 2024.

Ford, SK and Koç Holding have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to set up a new joint venture in Turkey. Subject to execution of a final agreement, the three partners plan to create one of the largest EV battery facilities in Europe.

The joint venture would be located near Ankara and will manufacture high-nickel NMC cells for assembly into battery array modules. Production is expected to begin as early as mid-decade with an annual capacity likely to be in the range of 30 to 45 Gigawatt hours.

Ford said the investment in the battery joint venture – with support from the Turkish Government – would “directly benefit commercial vehicle operators throughout Europe, reduce energy and running costs and provide a significant contribution to CO2 reduction”.

Its manufacturing plant in Romania will play a significant role in the company’s growth plans in Europe. Apart from the all-electric Puma, the new Transit Courier and Tourneo Courier will be produced in Craiova from 2023, with all-electric versions coming in 2024.

To further boost electric and commercial vehicle capacity, Ford Otosan (a long-standing joint venture between the Blue Oval and Koç Holding) would assume ownership of the Craiova plant and manufacturing business (subject to regulatory approval and consultation).