Ford to build all-electric commercial vehicle for 2024
Ford has confirmed that an all-electric light commercial vehicle which is due to debut in 2024, will be its first all-electric volume vehicle to be built in Romania.
The manufacturer has confirmed that it is to invest $300 million to build a new light commercial vehicle in 2023 at its Craiova Assembly Plant in Romania, including an all-electric version due to be released in 2024.
Stuart Rowley, president of Ford of Europe, said: “Ford’s Craiova operations have a strong record of delivering world-class competitiveness and flexibility. Our plan to build this new light commercial vehicle in Romania reflects our continuing positive partnership with local suppliers and the community, and the success of the entire Ford Craiova team.
“Adding an all-electric version in 2024 means Craiova will be our third facility in Europe to build an all-electric vehicle. It follows recent investments this year in the Ford Cologne Electrified Vehicle Centre in Germany and Ford Otosan’s Kocaeli plant in Turkey and sends another clear signal that we are on an accelerated path to providing our commercial vehicle customers with a zero emissions future in Europe.”
In February, Ford committed 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.
Ford’s overall investment in its Romanian manufacturing operations – including the latest investment announcement – is close to $2 billion since acquiring the Craiova facility in 2008.
“This new planned investment in Craiova’s future is a sign of Ford’s hope that the Romanian Government will ensure key improvements are delivered to support a competitive manufacturing landscape in the local region, including much needed upgrades to the transport infrastructure,” said Rowley.
