Ford E-Transit Cargo Van Production Begins

Ford Commences E-Transit Production

Production of Ford’s all-electric E-Transit cargo vans has begun at the company’s Kansas City, Missouri facility. Initial customer deliveries are anticipated within the coming weeks, as stated by Tim Baughman, general manager of Ford Pro North America, to TechCrunch.

Increased Electric Vehicle Output

This announcement arrives following Ford’s earlier declaration this month regarding a near doubling of production capacity for the forthcoming F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. The target is now 150,000 vehicles annually by mid-2023, a response to substantial customer interest.

Deliveries of both the F-150 Lightning and the commercial Lightning Pro versions are scheduled to commence this spring.

E-Transit: A Strategic Focus

The E-Transit, initially unveiled in 2020, represents a crucial component of Ford’s strategy to expand its presence within the cargo van market.

Currently, Ford’s conventional combustion engine Transit vans, also manufactured in Kansas City, hold a 40% market share. The company anticipates further growth through electric vehicles.

Customers are increasingly seeking vehicles that offer reduced maintenance and energy expenses, alongside adherence to sustainability goals and increasingly stringent emissions standards.

Ford has projected a total of 1.1 million commercial van sales for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) through 2030.

Ford Pro: A Comprehensive Ecosystem

The E-Transit is not an isolated effort, but rather a part of a broader initiative to encourage both current and prospective commercial clients to adopt electric vehicles.

E-Transit, the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro, and associated charging solutions, service offerings, maintenance programs, and fleet management telematics software are all integrated under the umbrella of a new business unit called Ford Pro.

Building the Ford Pro Team

In September, Ford bolstered its newly established commercial vehicles and services division with the recruitment of six senior executives. Ted Cannis leads this unit.

Among the new hires is Muffi Ghadiali, formerly CEO of Electriphi, a battery management and fleet monitoring software company acquired by Ford in June.

Tim Baughman, previously Ford’s controller for U.S. marketing, sales, and service, now serves as the general manager of Ford Pro North America.

Navin Kumar, formerly with Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC, has been appointed as the new CFO of Ford Pro.