The van and combi versions of the new generation Transit Courier, designed and engineered by Ford Otosan, will be produced and put on the market in Cravoiva by 2023, and their fully electric versions by 2024. (The factory will produce as well as Ford Puma cars and 1.0-litre gasoline EcoBoost engines).
In addition, Ford Otosan is investing Eur1.26billion (20.5bn TL) into its Kocaeli, Turkey factory in which electric and connected new generation commercial vehicle projects will be implemented.
Ford Otosan announced that it would increase the capacity of its Kocaeli plants to 650 thousand vehicles with the investment.
With the addition of the Craiova factory's installed capacity of 250,000 vehicles, the total annual production capacity of the company will exceed 900,000 vehicles, and the number of employees will exceed 20,000.
With the completion of the agreement, Ford Otosan has four factories in two countries, as well as Transit, E-Transit, new generation 1-ton Transit Custom and its fully electric version, new Transit Courier, and new Transit Courier fully electric version, plus Ford Trucks, Ford Puma and e-motorcycle Raccoon.
Stuart Rowley, President of Ford of Europe, drew attention to the deep-rooted partnership between Koç Group and Ford Motor Company, which has been close to a century; “Ford Otosan is one of the most successful and well-established joint ventures of the global automotive industry. We are pleased to expand our strategic partnership in Ford Otosan, our joint venture with Koç Holding. I believe that our successful operation in Craoiva will reach even higher levels of success with Ford Otosan's expertise and experience, especially in commercial vehicles and electric vehicles.” he said.
Ford Otosan general manager Haydar Yenigün said: "The responsibility for overseas production that comes with this agreement will also reinforce our title as Europe's largest commercial vehicle production base.”