Ford has initiated series production of its new all-electric Capri model at its Cologne plant in Germany, marking a significant development in the company’s electric vehicle lineup. Alongside the Explorer, the Capri is now the second electric model produced at this facility, which is crucial for Ford’s success in the European market.
The confirmation of the Start of Production (SoP) for the Capri was reported by Works Council Chairman Benjamin Gruschka, who emphasized the importance of this milestone for the Cologne plant and its workforce during challenging times for the automotive industry. “This is an important milestone for the Cologne plant and its employees in what are generally difficult times in the industry,” Gruschka stated in an interview with the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.
While the Explorer’s official production launch in early June was celebrated with a major media event, the Capri’s SoP, which reportedly took place on September 23, was not accompanied by a formal press release from Ford. This has raised some eyebrows within the industry, particularly as the company continues to ramp up production capabilities. Ford’s last press release was issued on September 18, prior to the Capri’s production start.
The Capri is an electric SUV coupé built on Volkswagen’s MEB platform, similar to the Explorer. With a slightly longer design and a flatter roofline, the Capri measures 4.63 meters in length. Currently, both models are available only with the larger battery option, while a smaller battery variant is expected to be offered by the end of 2024.
Gruschka noted that the Explorer has experienced a strong market entry, stating that it is “getting off to a much better start than we expected,” and indicated positive initial reception for the Capri as well, although no concrete sales figures have been released.
The production capacity at the Cologne plant is designed to reach 250,000 units annually, with plans to ramp up operations to more than 600 vehicles per day in a two-shift system starting in October. The plant employs around 13,000 workers, and both the Explorer and Capri are critical to ensuring the facility’s viability.
Reports suggest that selling 200,000 units per year is necessary to secure the future of the site and its employees, especially as Ford focuses exclusively on electric vehicles at this location. Officially, the company has ruled out redundancies until at least the end of 2032.
Ford Germany is undergoing significant management changes, including the departure of Managing Director Martin Sander, who left for Audi in June. Consequently, the management team has been reduced from ten to four members, leading to further shifts in top leadership, including the exit of Labour Director Rainer Ludwig.
The new management team consists of Christian Weingärtner (Sales), Rene Wolf (Production), and new members Dave Johnston (Finance) and Marcus Wasserberg (Labour Director). According to the Kölnische Rundschau, Wasserberg is regarded as a restructuring specialist, but his appointment means Ford currently lacks an official Chairman of the Board in Germany.
Source: rundschau-online.de, ksta.de
