Shaping the transformation of the sector with its electrification vision, Ford Otosan has achieved another success with its engineering competence and advanced production technologies. As one of Europe’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, Ford Otosan has electrified all vehicles in its production portfolio and is ready to introduce the fully electric Ford E-Transit/Tourneo Courier and Ford Puma Gen-E models to customers.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Ford Otosan’s Craiova, Romania factory, Koç Holding Deputy Chairman of the Board and Ford Otosan Chairman of the Board Ali Y. Koç emphasized that Koç Group has been investing steadfastly in the automotive industry for nearly a century and that the automotive sector is one of the cornerstones of the Group’s strategic vision, and said, “As one of the strongest and most successful partnerships in the global automotive industry, Ford Otosan is an important indicator of the deep-rooted collaboration between Koç Holding and Ford Motor Company that has been going on for many years. This partnership, beyond just a commercial collaboration, represents a journey that has shaped the birth and development of the Turkish automotive sector. Today, Ford Otosan is one of Europe’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers and continues to carry this vision into the future as Ford’s electric commercial vehicle production base.”
Ford Otosan, Türkiye’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and export champion, continues to play a leading role in Türkiye’s electrification transformation. Ford Otosan, Ford’s commercial vehicle base in Europe, has begun manufacturing the new Ford E-Transit Courier, E-Tourneo Courier and Ford Puma Gen-E at its Craiova factory in Romania, for which it assumes engineering and production responsibility. Ford Otosan has strengthened its electrification vision with its new fully electric models, while achieving another important milestone in the transition to zero-emission mobility.
The ceremony hosted by Koç Holding Vice Chairman of the Board and Ford Otosan Chairman of the Board Ali Y. Koç, Koç Holding CEO Levent Çakıroğlu, Koç Holding Automotive Group President Haydar Yenigün, Ford Motor Company Commercial Vehicles Director John Davis, Ford Otosan General Manager Güven Özyurt, Ford Otosan General Manager Deputy Josephine Payne was attended by Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, many government officials, sector representatives and leading figures from the business world.
Ali Y. Koç, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Koç Holding and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ford Otosan, Emphasizing that Koç Group has been investing steadily in the automotive industry for nearly a century and that the automotive sector is one of the cornerstones of the Group’s strategic vision, he said: “We are not only growing the sector domestically, but also leading the way in increasing the competitive power of the Turkish automotive industry on a regional and global scale thanks to our stable exports and overseas investments. The investments we make in the automotive sector reflect the strong trust that our global business partners have in Türkiye as well as ours. Ford Otosan, one of the strongest and most successful partnerships in the global automotive industry, is also an important indicator of the deep-rooted collaboration between Koç Holding and Ford Motor Company that has been going on for many years. This partnership, beyond just a commercial collaboration, represents a journey that has guided the birth and development of the Turkish automotive sector. Today, Ford Otosan continues to carry this vision into the future as one of Europe’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers and Ford’s electric commercial vehicle production base.
Ford Otosan, which played an important role in further strengthening trade relations between Turkey and Romania with the takeover of the Craiova Plant in 2022, continues to contribute as Romania’s second largest exporter today. This place is not just a production center, but also creates an ecosystem that strengthens Türkiye’s strategic position in the global supply chain. Today, the cooperation carried out with more than 60 suppliers from Türkiye for vehicles produced in Romania is an indication of our power to produce value internationally. The fully electric versions of the E-Transit Courier, E-Tourneo Courier and the Ford Puma Gen-E, Europe’s best-selling passenger vehicle, which will depart from this facility, will further strengthen our position in the European market.”
Ford Otosan General Manager Güven Özyurt, Emphasizing that Ford Otosan has been leading the automotive sector with its superior production and engineering competencies for over 60 years, he said: “Thanks to our engineering power, expertise in R&D and most importantly our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability and progress, we continue to expand our activities and add value to our country. As Ford Otosan, we are Türkiye’s export champion. We reached the highest figure in our history by exporting over 2024 thousand vehicles in 330. With our electrification strategy, we are developing Türkiye’s technological competencies while also reinforcing our power in the European market.
In this journey, the Craiova Plant is perfectly aligned with Ford Otosan’s extensive expertise in commercial vehicle design, development and production. Since 2022, we have ensured a strong sharing of knowledge and experience between our Kocaeli and Craiova plants. Today, our colleagues in Turkey and Romania work side by side with the same passion, producing world-class vehicles that shape the automotive world of the future.
Özyurt stated that Ford Otosan Craiova Factory is positioned as one of the most efficient production facilities in Europe today, and that the factory has the privilege of being the only facility that can produce passenger cars, commercial vehicles, internal combustion engines and fully electric vehicles on the same production line with its unique flexible production structure. “At the center of Ford’s strategy is to electrify our iconic models. In line with this vision, we are developing our country’s technological competencies by implementing electric versions of all the vehicles we produce, and we are also very proud to play a critical role in Ford of Europe’s electrification roadmap.”
Ford Otosan Craiova Factory is the sole production base in Europe for Ford E-Transit Courier, Ford E-Tourneo Courier and Ford Puma Gen-E
Ford Otosan continues to be the sole manufacturer of the Courier series, which it started producing at its Yeniköy Factory in 2014. As part of the company's long-term investment strategy, Courier production has undergone a major transformation.
With the increase in production of the Ford Transit Custom family, the production capacity in the Gölcük Factory was increased and shifted to the renewed Yeniköy Factory. At the same time, the start of 1-ton commercial vehicle production within the scope of the strategic partnership between Ford and Volkswagen brought about the transfer of Courier production to the Craiova Factory, which joined Ford Otosan in 2022. The Craiova Factory is also the production center of Ford's most preferred passenger vehicle in Europe, the Puma. With all these developments, becoming the sole production center of the Ford E-Transit Courier, Ford E-Tourneo Courier and Ford Puma Gen-E does more than carry Ford Otosan's production power and global competitiveness further, it also deepens the company's strategic growth vision by reinforcing its strong position in Europe.
Ford Otosan strengthens with electrification investments
Having made major investments in electrification and new generation vehicle technologies in recent years, Ford Otosan has completed 2021 billion Euros of the 2 billion Euro investment plan it announced in 1,9. In this context, Kocaeli factories have become Türkiye's first integrated internal combustion, hybrid and fully electric vehicle production base. With these investments, Ford Otosan continues to lead the electrification transformation as Europe's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer.
