Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Ford Pro ready to electrify business productivity in Europe as first E-Transit models roll off production line
aprile 08, 2022 - Ford Trucks

Ford Pro ready to electrify business productivity in Europe as first E-Transit models roll off production line

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  • First E-Transit models ready to ship from Ford Otosan’s Gölcük plant in #kocaeli, #turkey to help #fordpro satisfy strong customer demand to electrify European fleets
  • Ford Otosan facility celebrates landmark moment as E-Transit reaches volume production; customer orders already exceed 5,000 units
  • Highly competitive all-electric E-Transit spearheads Ford Pro’s launch to European customers, with integrated offering of vehicles, software and connected services

KOCAELI, #turkey, April 7, 2022 #fordpro is now shipping the first production units of its all-electric E-Transit van to customers across Europe from the #fordotosan factory in #kocaeli, #turkey.

This landmark moment was celebrated today at the Gölcük plant, in a ceremony involving Turkish government representatives, investors, employees and media.

Following strong early demand for E-Transit from European businesses – with over 5,000 customer orders received before vehicles roll off the assembly line – #fordotosan is now moving to full mass production.

“Ford Otosan’s #kocaeli plant is the heart of Transit production in Europe, and this celebration of E-Transit manufacturing starts the electrified next chapter in our already strong partnership,” said #hansschep, general manager, #fordpro, Europe. “This is the first step in a transformation of the #kocaeli site which will see it become a major centre for electric commercial vehicle manufacturing in Europe.”

E-Transit is the all-electric version of the world’s best-selling cargo van 1 and the new vehicle spearheads the launch of #fordpro in the region; this new business offers customers a comprehensive suite of software, charging, servicing and financing solutions fully integrated into a portfolio of world-class electrified and internal combustion-powered vehicles to help improve productivity and uptime, lower costs, and facilitate access to everything operators need on one platform built for the electric and digital age.

“Production of E-Transit in our #kocaeli plant, where the electricity is supplied with 100 per cent renewable energy, is a source of pride for us and another turning point in our increasing role in Ford’s electrification strategy” said #guvenozyurt, general manager, #fordotosan. “We believe that electrification of the legendary Transit model is a major development and an important step for making #fordotosan the production base of Ford electrified commercial vehicles.”

All-in on commercial vehicle electrification

To meet demand for future electrified Ford models, Ford Otosan is investing €2 billion and growing employment by around 3,000 to increase vehicle production capacity, including for the next-generation Transit Custom model.

Ford’s move to an all-electric future in Europe was also highlighted by the recent announcement that Ford, SK On Co., Ltd. and Koç Holding have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for a new, industry-leading 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 the European wider region. 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.

Reaffirming its leadership as Europe’s top-selling commercial vehicle brand, Ford will continue to electrify its iconic Transit models to suit different customer requirements. By 2024, E-Transit will be joined by four additional new fully-electric models in the Transit family as Ford moves toward its target of zero emissions for all vehicle sales in Europe and carbon neutrality across its European footprint of facilities, logistics and suppliers by 2035.

Benefitting customers in the electric era

With its highly competitive range, payload, power and choice of bodystyles, E-Transit is designed to painlessly enable operators’ fleet electrification while accelerating their productivity through Ford Pro’s charging, telematics and servicing solutions.

Ford Pro has already proven E-Transit’s durability with demanding testing in high-tech facilities around the world. The company is now running a wider programme of customer pilots with a total of 60 pre-production E-Transits, including converted models, operating in typical daily use with customers across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and the UK, helping #fordpro to optimise its always-on supporting products and services to deliver optimum efficiency and productivity for businesses.