Ford will launch seven new electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe by 2024, including an electric version of the Puma crossover.
The first to launch will be a medium-sized crossover based on Volkswagen's MEB platform and likely to be similar in size to the VW ID4. It follows an announcement that the two car makers will work together on a variety of electric and self-driving technologies.
A second VW-based EV, described as a 'sports crossover', will arrive in the following year along with an electric version of the existing Puma.
The four other EVs will be commercial vehicles. Following the introduction of the e-Transit, there will be a new Transit Custom one-tonne van and Tourneo Custom multi-purpose vehicle in 2023, and a smaller, next generation Transit Courier van and Tourneo Courier multi-purpose vehicle in 2024.
“These new Ford electric vehicles signal what is nothing less than the total transformation of our brand in Europe – a new generation of zero-emission vehicles, optimized for a connected world, offering our customers truly outstanding user experiences,” said Stuart Rowley, chair, Ford of Europe.
Ford expects its annual sales of electric vehicles in Europe to exceed 600,000 units in 2026, as a result of the new model launches.
Ford previously announced it will only sell electric cars in Europe by 2030, with all Ford cars sold in the continent by 2026 expected to be zero-emissions capable.
Today’s announcement builds on the recent news that the company has created a new global business unit – Ford Model e – focused on the design, production, and distribution of electric and connected vehicles.
Together with Ford Pro, the business unit focused on Ford’s commercial vehicle business, these two business units will define Ford’s future in Europe, it says.
“I am delighted to see the pace of change in Europe – challenging our entire industry to build better, cleaner and more digital vehicles,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “Ford is all-in and moving fast to meet the demand in Europe and around the globe.
“This is why we have created Ford Model e – allowing us to move at the speed of a start-up to build electric vehicles that delight and offer connected services unique to Ford and that are built with Ford-grade engineering and safety.”
To support Ford’s vehicle electrification plans, Ford, SK On Co and Koç Holding have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for a new joint venture business in Turkey.
Subject to execution of a final agreement, the three partners plan to create one of the largest EV battery facilities in the European wider region.
The joint venture would be located near Ankara and will manufacture Nickel NMC cells for assembly into battery array modules. Production is intended to start as early as mid-decade with an annual capacity likely to be in the range of 30 to 45 Gigawatt hours.
The investment the three partners are planning in the battery joint venture – including support from the Turkish Government – will directly benefit large and small commercial vehicle operators across Europe, it says.
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