Electric Ford Transit Custom
Ford Commercial Vehicles have confirmed that the next generation Ford Transit Custom range will include an all-electric model in addition to plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid and conventional engine variants. It will be built by Ford Otosan in Turkey.
Who are Ford Otosan?
This all new Transit Custom which includes the Transit Custom van and Tourneo Custom people mover goes into production in the first half of 2023 and will be built by Ford’s joint venture partner in Turkey – Ford Otosan in Kocaeli.
Ford Otosan are part of Koç Holdings in Turkey and their relationship with Ford dates back to 1928, the Kocaeli facilities opened in 2001, and since 2004 has been Ford’s global lead plant for the production of successive generations of the Ford Transit Custom range and the Transit 2-tonne. In total, around 85 percent of the sales of the complete Transit family of commercial vehicles are from vehicles manufactured by Ford Otosan in Turkey
Ford and Volkswagen Share Platform
As announced over a year ago, this all new Transit Custom will also be base for the next generation Volkswagen 1-tonne commercial vehicle also will be built in Kocaeli, basically the Transporter replacement. This helps both companies to scale to vehicle platforms and bring these products faster to market than going alone.
“The next generation Transit Custom range – including the all-electric versions – will strengthen Ford’s position as Europe’s No.1 commercial vehicle brand,” said Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe. “Transit Custom is the jewel in our commercial vehicle crown and key in our drive to grow our commercial vehicle business as we continue to create a sustainable, profitable Ford business in Europe rooted in an electrified future.”
Ford said in February that its entire commercial vehicle range will be zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid, by 2024, with two-thirds of Ford’s commercial vehicle sales expected to be all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.
“Today, we are starting another strategic investment that will help shape the future of the automotive industry. Our Kocaeli plants will be transformed into Turkey’s first and only integrated production centre for the assembly of electric vehicles and batteries. We consider this investment, which will span over a decade, as a forward-looking strategic move. I would like to thank Ford Motor Company for their trust in Turkey and Ford Otosan which made this significant investment possible,” said Ali Koç, chairman, Ford Otosan, and vice chairman, Koç Holding Board of Directors.
In 2020, Ford achieved its sixth successive year as the leader in commercial vehicle sales in Europe. The trend has continued into 2021, with Ford maintaining its position as the continent’s best-selling commercial vehicle brand.
