Ford Otosan ramps up van production in Turkey with UK diesel engines
Ford Otosan, a joint venture in Turkey, will soon begin producing the next generation of Ford and Volkswagen one-tonne commercial vehicles. The new models will roll off the production line in Kocaeli from early 2023. Around 30% of the vans currently made there are already exported back to England from Turkey.
The Kocaeli plant plays a key role in Ford’s European commercial vehicle strategy. By 2025, up to 60% of the diesel engines produced at Ford’s Dagenham plant in the UK will be sent to Turkey. These engines will power the one-tonne vans built by Ford Otosan.
The trade relationship between Turkey and the UK supports this production shift. A trade deal signed in December 2020, worth £18.6 billion based on 2019 figures, ensures preferential tariffs for UK exporters. This agreement helps secure the flow of components and finished vehicles between the two countries. While Ford aims for two-thirds of its European commercial vehicle sales to be all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030, diesel engines will remain important. The company has not yet confirmed when the Kocaeli plant was expanded to prepare for the new models.
The new production line in Kocaeli strengthens ties between Ford’s UK and Turkish operations. Diesel engines from Dagenham will continue to support commercial vehicle demand, even as electric models grow in popularity. The trade agreement between Turkey and the UK ensures smoother logistics for these vehicles.
