Ford starts series production of the Capri
The information does not come from an official manufacturer announcement but from statements made by Works Council Chairman Benjamin Gruschka to the Cologne media. “This is an important milestone for the Cologne plant and its employees in what are generally difficult times in the industry,” Gruschka is quoted as saying in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. After the Explorer, the Capri is Ford’s second European electric model to be produced in Cologne. Both models are based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform.
While the Explorer’s official production launch in early June was accompanied by a major media event at the Cologne plant, at which the facilities and new buildings were presented to journalists in detail, it is surprising that the Capri’s SoP (Start of Production) is not even worthy of a separate press release from Ford. According to Gruschka, the SoP already took place on Monday, 23 September – the most recent press release from Ford Germany dates back to 18 September, when this article was published.
A few weeks after the SoP of the Explorer, Ford presented the Capri in July as an electric SUV coupé on the same technical basis. With its flatter roofline, the Capri is slightly longer than the Explorer (4.63 metres); otherwise, they are very similar. In addition, both electric Fords from Cologne are currently only available with the large battery; the smaller battery will be available to order from the end of 2024. According to Gruschka, the Explorer is “getting off to a much better start than we expected,” and the Capri has also been very well received so far. However, there are no reliable figures yet.
| Standard Range RWD | Extended Range RWD | Extended Range AWD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive | RWD | RWD | AWD |
| Output | 125 kW | 210 kW | 250 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 545 Nm | 134+545 Nm |
| Acceleration | – | 6.4 s | 5.3 s |
| Top Speed | 180 kph | 180 kph | 180 kph |
| WLTP range | – | 627 km | 592 km |
| Battery | 52 kWh | 77 kWh | 79 kWh |
| Charging capacity DC | 145 kW | 135 kW | 185 kW |
| Charging time DC 10-80% | 25 min | 28 min | 26 min |
| Price (in Germany) | 44,950 euros | 51,950 euros | 55,950 euros |
Production in Cologne is designed for 250,000 units per year. According to the reports, it is currently being ramped up. From October, more than 600 vehicles will be produced per day in two-shift operation. Ford employs around 13,000 people in Cologne. As Ford only builds electric cars at the German plant, the Explorer and Capri must sell to secure the site’s future and its employees – according to reports, 200,000 units per year would be necessary. Company-related redundancies are officially ruled out at Ford until the end of 2032.
Ford Germany is also in a state of transition. Once brought in from Audi as a beacon of hope, Managing Director Martin Sander left Ford for Wolfsburg in June. As a result, the Ford headquarters in Dearborn decided to reduce the German management team from ten to four people. This led to further departures in top management, such as that of Labour Director Rainer Ludwig. The new management team consists of Christian Weingärtner (Sales) and Rene Wolf (Production), who were both already part of the management team, as well as new additions Dave Johnston (Finance) and Marcus Wasserberg (Labour Director). According to the Kölnische Rundschau, Wasserberg, who was born in North Rhine-Westphalia, is regarded as a restructuring specialist. However, this also means that Ford no longer has an official Chairman of the Board, i.e. in colloquial terms, a German boss.
rundschau-online.de, ksta.de (both in German)
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