Ford launches production of Romania’s first hybrid vehicle

U.S. carmaker Ford Motor Company has started manufacturing a new hybrid car, an electrified new Ford Puma, following a EUR 200 million investment in Craiova, Romania.

Offered with advanced Ford EcoBoost Hybrid 48-volt electrified powertrain technology, Ford’s new SUV-inspired compact crossover is the first hybrid vehicle to be manufactured in Romania, according to a press release from the U.S. carmaker.

Ford has employed an additional 1,700 staff and invested approximately EUR 200 million at its Craiova facility to support production of the mild hybrid, taking Ford’s total investment in Craiova to almost EUR 1.5 billion since 2008.

The new Ford Puma is among eight electrified vehicles that Ford is bringing to market in Europe this year. Earlier this year, Ford announced that every new Ford passenger vehicle nameplate will include an electrified option – either a mild-hybrid, full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric – delivering one of the most comprehensive line-ups of electrified options for European customers.

The company expects electrified powertrains to account for more than half of its passenger vehicle sales by the end of 2022.

Available to order across Europe now, the new Ford Puma joins Ford’s expanding line-up of SUV and SUV-inspired crossover models in Europe. Ford Romania employs approximately 6,000 people, producing the new Ford Puma alongside the Ford EcoSport.

Ford EcoSport comes with CO2 emissions from 110-111 g/km and fuel efficiency from 4.2 l/100 km, while Ford Puma EcoBoost Hybrid features CO2 emissions from 99 g/km and fuel efficiency from 4.3 l/100 km, according to the company.