Ford Otosan factory in Craiova marked on Friday the delivery of the first electric vehicles manufactured in Romania, destined for customers in Europe, including the three models – Puma Gen-E, E-Transit Courier, and E-Tourneo Courier.
„Currently, the Craiova plant is the only one in Europe that produces both cars and commercial vehicles on the same lines, in versions with internal combustion engines and electric ones,” Ford representatives stated.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu attended the launch event of the first cars from the new range of fully electric vehicles manufactured in Craiova.
The Prime Minister mentioned, among other things, that the new Transit Courier and Tourneo Courier models meet the highest global standards of design and technology and praised the partnership between the American brand, Turkish management, and Romanian employees.
A successful international partnership
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that the launch of the two electric cars produced in Craiova represents a memorable day for the auto industry in Romania.
"I am delighted to be here on this truly memorable day for the auto industry in Romania and for Ford Craiova. The delivery of the first cars from the new range of fully electric vehicles manufactured here is an achievement that highlights the power of a strong partnership, an example of business cooperation.
We have, first of all, a famous American brand, then the top management of an important business group from Turkey, plus, of course, the ingenuity and dedication of all Romanian employees," stated Marcel Ciolacu.
The Prime Minister recalled that last year, the Ford Craiova plant achieved a major performance, producing a record number of cars - over 250,000. He also praised the "thousands of Oltenians" working at Ford.
"The thousands of Oltenians working at Ford reaffirm the decades-long tradition of the auto industry in Craiova, once again showing the entire world the immense talent of this people. I have seen the cars produced here and I am convinced that they meet the highest global standards of design and technology," emphasized Ciolacu, adding that the models from Craiova can compete with any rival.
Promises to complete the Ford Highway
Ciolacu stated that the Government "will make every effort to assist you, especially by completing, in the next few weeks, the final 12-kilometer stretch of the so-called Ford highway."
Additionally, works on the A0 Highway and the Pitești-Sibiu section will be accelerated, Ciolacu promised in Craiova.
The Craiova plant operates in three shifts both in the vehicle production area and in the engine production area and currently has over 6,600 employees.