All the latest developments and new launches from the world of vans & pick-ups

FORD E-TRANSIT: FIRST MODELS ROLL OFF PRODUCTION LINE

Ford is now shipping the first production units of its all electric E Transit van to customers across Europe from the Ford Otosan factory in Kocaeli, Turkey, as Export & Freight’s Phil Eaglestone learned on a recent Press trip to Barcelona in Spain to find out more about Ford’s PRO programme.

This landmark moment was celebrated at the Gölcük plant, in a ceremony involving Turkish government representatives, investors, employees and media. Following strong early demand for E-Transit from European businesses– with over 5,000 customer orders received before vehicles roll off the assembly line – Ford Otosan is now moving to full production volume. “Ford Otosan’s Kocaeli plant is the heart of Transit production in Europe, and this celebration of E-Transit manufacturing starts the electrified next chapter in our already strong partnership,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe. “This is the first step in a transformation of the Kocaelisite which will see it become a major centre for electric commercial vehicle manufacturing in Europe.” E-Transit is the all-electric version of the world’s best-selling cargo van and the new vehicle spearheads the launch of Ford Pro in the region; this new business offers customers a suite of software, charging, servicing and financing solutions with class-leading vehicles to help improve productivity and uptime, lower costs, and facilitate access to everything operators need on one platform built for the electric and digital age. “Production of E-Transit in our Kocaeli plant, where the electricity is supplied with 100% renewable energy, is a source of pride for us and another turning point in our increasing role in Ford’s electrification strategy” said Güven Özyurt, general manager, Ford Otosan. “We believe that electrification of the legendary Transit model is a major development and an important step for making Ford Otosan the production base of Ford electrified commercial vehicles.” To meet demand for future electrified Ford models, Ford Otosan is investing €2billion and growing employment by around 3,000 to increase vehicle production capacity, including for the next-generation Transit Custom model.

JOINT VENTURE

Ford’s move to an all-electric future in Europe was also highlighted by the recent announcement that Ford, SK On Co., Ltd. and Koç Holding have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for a new, industry-leading joint venture in Turkey. Subject to execution of a final agreement, the three partners plan to create one of the largest EV battery facilities in the European wider region. Production is intended to start as early as middecade with an annual capacity likely to be in the range of 30 to 45 Gigawatt hours. Ford will continue to electrify its iconic Transit models to suit different customer requirements. By 2024, E-Transit will be joined by four additional new fully-electric models in the Transit family as Ford moves toward its target of zero emissions for all vehicle sales in Europe and carbon neutrality across its European footprint of facilities, logistics and suppliers by 2035.

AWARD-WINNING

E-Transit is offered in two series – Leader and Trend – and all vehicles offer significantly higher specifications than the equivalent diesel model. Indeed, E-Transit has already earned a Gold Award from independent vehicle safety authority Euro NCAP for its comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems. The available technologies include Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Information System with Lane Change Warning & Aid, Lane Departure Warning,

Lane-Keeping Aid, and Junction Assist. Key new driver assistance systems that help minimise repair costs include Reverse Brake Assist, which uses a camera and sensors to detect pedestrians, cyclists and static obstacles when reversing and can deliver a warning before automatically stopping the vehicle if the driver does not react. Drivers also benefit from a new 360-degree camera, giving a birds-eye view of E-Transit’s surroundings on the 12-inch dashboard screen to help avoid obstacles when manoeuvring in tight spaces with a limited view. “Ford Transit has defined ‘the Van’ in UK culture for 56 years”, said Mandy Dean, director, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Britain. “Now, E-Transit’s market-leading range represents a significant shift forward not only as a vehicle to reduce carbon emissions, but as a connected vehicle, equipped with data services that will support SMEs and large businesses alike.”

FORD PRO

Meanwhile, Ford Pro is launching an integrated charging solution designed to help European customers find the best charging strategy for their electric vehicle fleets, install charging infrastructure, and optimise the vehicle charging process. Ford Pro Charging is a key component of Ford Pro, and integrates with the other Ford Pro solutions to provide a seamless experience that delivers full control to fleet managers and simplifies charging for drivers – maximising effectiveness and productivity. To support commercial fleets as they make the complex transition to electric vehicles, Ford Pro Charging’s consultants will work with customers to help them identify the optimum charging solution for their business. The company offers an end-to-end, bespoke depot solution including hardware installation and management software that helps to optimise the charging process. Simplified billing and administration via Ford Pro Charging software also supports fleets whose drivers take their work vehicle home, as well as streamlining public charging. “Ford Pro Charging offers fleets a single, integrated solution covering the entire charging process, delivered by a partner they can trust,” said Iza Lozowska, European manager, Ford Pro Charging. “We will work hand-in-hand with them to future-proof their business by finding the right charging strategy, making the switch to electric vehicles as simple as possible.”

BESPOKE SOLUTIONS

Ford Pro Charging understands that the most effective fleet charging solution will vary caseby-case. Even customers that have fleet duty cycles and depot facilities that allow on-site charging may find that individual depots within the same fleet have unique requirements. Ford Pro Charging’s expert consultants work with each depot to identify the most efficient, futureproof charging solution and project-manage the entire planning and commissioning process, meaning even fleets with limited knowledge of electrification options can easily make the switch. Many fleet drivers take their vans home after shifts, and so will require a charging solution away from the depot. To help operators continue to support drivers following fleet electrification, Ford Pro Charging offers a home charging solution that delivers convenient overnight charging and reduces paperwork for managers and drivers. When installed at a driver’s home, an unobtrusive Ford Connected Wallbox can charge work vehicles and automatically send charging reports to the fleet manager’s centralised system. A unique fob associated with the vehicle is needed to activate the charger, helping prevent fraud and ensuring that fleet managers only receive relevant charge reports. Ford Pro software can generate usage reports so that reimbursing drivers for home charging is quick and easy. Fleet managers can also remotely check if a vehicle has missed a charge slot at the driver’s home.

(L-R). Ali Y. Koç - Deputy Chairman, Koç Holdings Board of Directors and Chairman, Ford Otosan; Mustafa Varank - Minister of Industry and Technology, Republic of Turkey; İlknur Karaca - Team Leader, Assembly Shop Production Line, Gölcük plant.

World premiere of VW’s new ID. Buzz

Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have given the new ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo1 their world premiere in Hamburg.

With Europe’s first all-electric bus and transporter range, Volkswagen is providing yet another solution to sustainable and CO2free mobility. The ID. Buzz comes with the latest ID. software and sets new standards in its segment with the latest systems and functions for safety, comfort and charging. Ralf Brandstätter, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars: “The ID. Buzz is a genuine icon for the electric era. A car, the likes of which only Volkswagen can build. In the 1950s, the Volkswagen Bulli stood for a new feeling of automotive freedom, independence and great emotion. The ID. Buzz picks up on this lifestyle and transfers it into our time: emission-free, sustainable, fully networked and now ready for the next big chapter: autonomous driving. With this car, we are bringing together the core themes of our ACCELERATE strategy in one product for the first time.” Carsten Intra, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand, adds: “Both versions of the ID. Buzz are pioneering in terms of their sustainability: their manufacture and shipping has a carbon-neutral footprint. We are also using recycled synthetic materials and the interior is completely free of any real leather.” He continues: “The ID. Buzz will also be used for future autonomous mobility concepts such as ridepooling – an e-shuttle service of Group subsidiary MOIA that can be booked via an app. The electric Bulli is thus also a part of the future of inner-city transport.” Included as standard in the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo is the ‘Car2X’ local warning system, which utilises signals from other vehicles and the transport infrastructure to spot hazards in real time. Also included as standard: the ‘Front Assist’ emergency braking function and, in the MPV, the ‘Lane Assist’ lane-keeping assistant. With new software, new assistance functions are also making their way into the ID. family.

Plug & Charge

The ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo are launching across Europe with a 77 kWh battery (gross energy content: 82 kWh). It provides current to a 150 kW electric motor, which – as the flat engine once did in the T1 – drives the rear axle. The position of the battery, integrated deep down in the sandwich floor, and the lightweight electric drive system result in a good distribution of weight and a low vehicle centre of gravity. Both factors optimise the handling and agility. The lithium ion battery can be charged from wall boxes or public charging stations using 11 kW alternating current (AC). Via a CCS plug connector at a DC rapid-charging station (direct current) the charging power increases to as much as 170 kW. When charged in this way, the battery charge level rises from 5 to 80% in about 30 minutes.

Spacious interior

ID. Buzz drivers and passengers experience the new Bulli feeling in a spaciously designed interior. The layout is very clear, the concept well thought through and utilisation of space optimal. In the loungelike, friendly ambience of the MPV version, five people have ample room for travelling and for their luggage (1,121 litres of capacity). If the second row of seats is folded down, the load capacity increases to up to 2,205 litres. Two or three seats up front, as the customer desires, and a fixed partition separating off the 3.9 m3 cargo space are distinctive features of the ID. Buzz Cargo. The zero-emission cargo version can take two loaded euro pallets, loaded in transversely. One feature of the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo is the long wheelbase of 2,988 mm, roughly the same as that of the current T6.1. The length of both versions is 4,712 mm. By virtue of what, in relation to the overall length, is a very long wheelbase, optimal use is made of the vehicle footprint. Including roof aerial, the two versions of ID. Buzz measure, dependent on specification, 1,937 mm or 1,938 mm in height. At 1,985 mm, the new model is 81 mm wider than a T6.1. The turning circle of 11.1 metres, meanwhile, is unusually small. The ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo will come onto the market in the first few European countries this autumn. Advance sales are due to start in May.