Ford Otosan will officially begin production of Courier models in Craiova on Tuesday, the first new models to be produced since the plant was acquired in the summer of 2022 by Turkey’s Koc Holding. Prime Minister Cholaku will also take part in the event. Next year, Ford will start production of electric versions of the Puma and Courier in Craiova.

Ford produces the Puma SUV in Craiova, one of the brand’s best-selling models in Europe. Last year, the company announced that starting in 2024, a 100% electric version of the Puma compact SUV will be manufactured at the plant in Craiova. From the second half of 2024 and the models whose production has officially started now will have electric versions: E-Transit Courier and E-Tourneo Courier.

The new Ford Transit Courier and Ford Tourneo Courier models, produced only in Craiova and starting at €20,000, are now added to the Puma, which has been in production since 2019. Transit Courier is for cargo and Tourneo Courier for passengers.

Transit Courier can be available in versions with a 1.0 EcoBoost engine (100 hp MT6 and 125 hp MT6 or AT7) and with a diesel engine – 1.5 EcoBlue (100 hp MT6). The Tourneo passenger version can only be equipped with a gasoline engine – 1.0 EcoBoost 125 hp. with MT6 or AT7.

The cheapest version of the Transit starts at 15,500 euros, while the most expensive versions with maximum capabilities approach 30,000 euros.

In 2022, the Ford plant in Kraiów was seized by the Turks from Ford Otosan. Last summer, Ford Otosan announced an investment of 490 million euros, which will be implemented by 2025. Thus, the total production capacity of the Craiova plant will increase from 250,000 cars/year to 272,000 cars/year.