Vatan – Preparing for strong global growth in 2014, the Ford Motor Company is expanding its investments in Türkiye, the brand’s commercial vehicle production hub. Following through a 4-year plan that includes a new vehicle plant, capacity upgrades and research & development (R&D) operations in Türkiye, the US-based carmaker’s total investments for the 2011-2014 period will reach USD 1.6 billion, far exceeding the planned amount of USD 1 billion.
Active in Türkiye through its subsidiary Ford Otosan, a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Türkiye's Koc Holding, the company has invested more than USD 1.2 billion in Türkiye since 2011. The company will channel USD 340 million to its operations in Türkiye this year, taking the total to almost USD 1.6 billion.
Relying on its Turkish unit’s expertise in the manufacturing and engineering of light and heavy commercial vehicles, Ford’s investment in the said period covers a new plant, new vehicle additions and R&D works. The company’s two Turkish plants exported over 200,000 vehicles in 2013.
Nearing operational status, the third Ford Otosan in Türkiye located in Yenikoy, Kocaeli, will begin rolling out the new Tourneo Courier light commercial vehicle by April. Designed and engineered by Ford Otosan in Türkiye, the new Courier will reach customers in more than 110 countries.
The company’s light commercial vehicle plant in Golcuk, also in Kocaeli province, will add a new Transit van to its production line, which currently consists of the Tourneo Custom and Transit Custom, taking the total output to 290,000 vehicles per year.
Ford Otosan’s plant in Inonu, Eskisehir is undertaking heavy truck manufacturing and engine development for Ford’s global markets. A hundred million dollars will be invested in the plant for the development and production of 11 and 13-liter Ecotorq engines, used in Ford Cargo line trucks as well as in various industrial and marine applications. Both the truck and the engine are designed and built by Turkish engineers.
Ford Otosan’s Gebze Engineering Center has become the third largest of its kind for the global automaker with 1,200 personnel involved in research and development in the facility.