Ford to launch new European-built small van in 2023, electric version due in 2024
Romanian plant to host production of a new van from 2023, slated to be a city-sized van based on the Fiesta's platform.
Ford has announced it will commence production of a new 'light commercial vehicle' in 2023, with an all-electric variant to follow in 2024.
The identity of the vehicle remains unknown, however Automotive News Europe suggests it will be a replacement for the Transit Courier van sold in Europe, which rides on the previous-generation Fiesta city car's platform, and would celebrate its ninth birthday in 2023 – aligning with Ford's circa-10-year life-cycle for its smaller vans.
The new city-sized van would slot into the Blue Oval's European range below the next-generation Transit Connect small van and upcoming Transit Custom medium van – both confirmed for launches in 2021 and 2023 respectively, as twins to Volkswagen's new-generation Caddy and upcoming Transporter.
Production of the new Transit Courier will commence in 2023 at Ford's factory in Craiova, Romania, thanks to a US$300 million (AU$388 million) investment in the plant, which is currently home to production of Australia's Puma light SUV, and the European-market EcoSport small SUV (which has been discontinued locally).
An all-electric version will debut in 2024, as part of the brand's plan for its entire commercial vehicle range to offer a plug-in hybrid or fully-electric option by 2024, as announced in February.
Craiova will become the third Ford of Europe plant to build electric vehicles, following the Kocaeli, Turkey and Cologne, Germany sites that are set to build the next-generation electric Transit Custom and a new passenger electric vehicle based on Volkswagen's MEB platform, respectively.
The core Transit Courier range will continue to be powered by "advanced" petrol and diesel engines – the latter type sourced from the Dagenham, UK plant – paired to transmissions manufactured at Ford's Halewood, UK facility.
"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,” said Ford of Europe president, Stuart Rowley.
Expect to hear more on the new Ford Transit Courier – including whether it will come to Australia – as production nears in 2023.
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