Ford invest $300 million to build new light commercial vehicle at Romanian facility
May 18, 2021
Ford has confirmed that it will 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 debut the following year. This will be the first all-electric Ford volume vehicle to be built in Romania, bringing the company’s total investment in Romanian manufacturing to nearly $2 billion since the acquisition of the Craiova facility in 2008.
“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,” stated Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe.
In February, Ford pledged that its entire commercial vehicle range will be zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid, by 2024; two-thirds of Ford’s commercial vehicle sales are expected to be all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.
Craiova’s commitment to electrification goes back to October 2019, with the start of Puma mild-hybrid production. In addition to Puma, Ford Craiova currently builds the Ford EcoSport small SUV and the multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine.
“Adding an all-electric version in 2024 means Craiova will be our third facility in Europe to build an all-electric vehicle,” added Rowley. “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.”
