Ford Otosan, the joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding, has announced a substantial €2 billion investment in the expansion and transformation of its Kocaeli site, including the Yeniköy plant. This manufacturing facility, which first opened its doors in 2014, is poised to reach its full production capacity by the mid-2020s after undergoing extensive renovations. The ambitious goal is to produce 405,000 vehicles annually, establishing new benchmarks for multi-energy commercial vehicle manufacturing at scale.
The noteworthy innovations at the Yeniköy plant include the integration of photovoltaic glass walls and solar panels on the roof, effectively harnessing solar energy on-site. Furthermore, this solar technology also aids in water heating for the facility, leading to a reduction in natural gas consumption. Ford Otosan is committed to achieving climate neutrality across all its Turkish plants by 2030.
In addition to its green initiatives, the manufacturer is highlighting its adoption of virtual production simulations driven by real-time data and artificial intelligence. This strategic move is set to enhance production efficiency and enable swift responses to fluctuations in demand, supply of components, and variations in production processes.
The Yeniköy facility now features a multi-storey arrangement of welding and assembly halls, a development expected to further boost operational efficiency.
Güven Özyurt, General Manager of Ford Otosan, sums up the transformation, stating, “As the smart factory of the future, the Yeniköy plant manufactures flexibly, efficiently, and more sustainably; implementing advanced technologies for fully connected and versatile production. The Yeniköy plant represents the future of our business and will help us meet the growing demands of our customers who seek cutting-edge design, smart, and zero-emission vehicles now and in the years to come.”
Hans Schep, General Manager at Ford Pro, Europe, praises the Yeniköy Assembly Plant, saying, “The state-of-the-art Yeniköy Assembly Plant is already helping Ford Pro enhance quality for customers and, as one of the world’s most efficient automotive production facilities, it is setting new standards for producing multi-energy commercial vehicles at scale.” Ford Pro has been Europe’s top-selling commercial vehicle brand for eight consecutive years and is determined to enhance the ownership experience for its customers through transformative technologies and streamlined production and engineering.
In terms of product offerings, the new Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom will be manufactured at the Yeniköy plant, with series production of the electric E-Transit Custom and E-Tourneo Custom scheduled to commence in 2024. The first customers are expected to have access to these electric models in the summer of 2024.
The E-Transit Custom is part of Ford Pro’s plan to introduce four new electric commercial vehicle models in Europe by 2024. It will be available in various configurations, including single or crew cabs and estate options, with choices of wheelbase and roof heights. The panel van variant offers a generous load volume of 5.8 to 9.0 cubic meters and a load compartment length of up to 3.45 meters. With a payload capacity of up to 1,100 kilograms and a remarkable towing capacity of up to two tonnes, this electric van is positioned as an ideal choice for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Crucially, alongside its electrification efforts, Ford is placing a strong emphasis on Ford Pro, its ecosystem for (electric) commercial vehicle services. In 2021, Ford Pro will become a separate vehicle service and sales company, with the primary objective of enhancing vehicle utilization, productivity, and cost reduction.
Ford Otosan’s substantial investment in Yeniköy and its focus on sustainable, efficient, and technologically advanced manufacturing underscore the company’s commitment to shaping the future of commercial vehicle production while meeting the evolving needs of its customers.
