Three months ago, Ford of Europe revealed ambitious plans to sell only electric vehicles from 2030. The Blue Oval specifically referred to passenger cars as the commercial division will need more time to phase out the internal combustion engine. As it turns out, the switch to EVs for the passenger division could happen sooner than originally planned.
The reveal was made by Ford of Europe CEO Stuart Rowley in an interview this week with Automotive News Europe: “It’s quite possible that we move faster.” The head honcho went on to say that “every time we look at the data, we accelerate our projection.” To make it happen, Ford is rolling out the Mustang Mach-E on the Old Continent as a dedicated electric SUV.
In addition, a bespoke EV is going to be assembled starting 2023 at the firm’s Cologne plant in Germany. It’s going to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform and is expected to take the shape of a boxy compact crossover mechanically related to the VW ID.4. Recent reports state Ford is nearing a decision to sell a second MEB-based electric vehicle in Europe, with an official announcement expected to be made in the coming weeks.
Before retiring gasoline and diesel engines from its passenger car lineup, Ford will end production of the long-running Mondeo in 2022. By the middle of 2026, all the company’s cars in Europe are going to be plug-in hybrids and pure EVs. A $1 billion investment in a new electric vehicle manufacturing center in Cologne is planned. At the same time, the plant in Craiova, Romania will receive $300 million to get ready for a new gasoline- and diesel-fueled van coming in 2023 and due to be followed by an EV variant a year later.
On the other side of the pond, the zero-emissions F-150 Lightning pickup truck is going to be unveiled on May 19.
Source: Automotive News Europe
