Ford-Werke GmbH, Cologne, and Erwin Hymer Group (EHG), Bad Waldsee, Germany, announce at the start of the new year that they have concluded a framework agreement for the supply of light commercial vehicles from the Ford Transit and Ford Transit Custom ranges as base vehicles for leisure and motorhomes.
In addition, a strategic partnership has been agreed, which includes a joint view on future customer needs and on the legal framework. At the core of this are topics such as emissions legislation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity and the integration of driver assistance systems. Ford is also closely integrating EHG into the product development process. With this agreement, both companies are responding to the caravanning boom that has been ongoing for eight years.
Specifically, the agreed cooperation involves Ford Transit panel vans and Ford Transit Custom station wagons, which will be used as the basis for camper vans, semi-integrated and alcove motorhomes of the Hymer brands. The base vehicles will be produced at the Ford plant in Kocaeli, Turkey, and delivered in tranches from 2022 to 2024. To this end, Ford is investing, among other things, in the expansion of production capacities in Kocaeli and is also strengthening its organizational structure in various European and German divisions.
With the Ford Transit Custom series in particular, EHG is serving a growth segment, as these vehicles are suitable as sole vehicles in the household due to their versatility and compact dimensions. With the Transit Custom, Ford offers maneuverable vehicles that are also suitable for urban traffic and have a modular design.
This partnership is like a revolution. Until now, the market for CamperVans has been dominated by the Fiat Ducato brand.
These are fantastic news for the ZURRMATT project. ZURRMATT module extensions, based on item profiles, are currently being implemented primarily for Ford Transit models. With the strategic partnership between Ford and EHG, the market for ZURRMATT will increase too.
Source: Presseportal