Where is the Ford Transit made?
The Ford Transit is one of the most iconic and widely used cargo vans in the world, serving businesses and tradespeople since 1965. Over the decades, production of the Transit has expanded beyond its British roots to become a truly global operation. If you are wondering where is Ford Transit made today, the answer depends on the generation and the market it serves. Below we break down the production locations of each generation, starting with the most recent models.
Where is the Ford Transit MK8 & MK9 (2014–) manufactured?
The current Ford Transit generation (MK9), launched in 2019, and its predecessor (MK8, produced from 2014 to 2019), are built primarily in two major facilities: Ford Otosan’s Kocaeli plant in Turkey and the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri, USA.
European market
For the European and many international markets, almost all Ford Transit cargo vans are manufactured at the Kocaeli plant in Gölcük, Turkey. This state-of-the-art factory, operated by Ford Otosan - a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding — has been the main production hub for the Transit since 2013. It also produces related models, such as the Transit Custom, and exports vehicles worldwide. The Kocaeli plant assembles vehicles while sourcing 2.0 EcoBlue diesel engines from Ford’s Dagenham Engine Plant in the UK, highlighting the cross-border nature of Ford’s supply chain.
American market
For the North American market, the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri has been producing the full-size Transit cargo van since 2014. This facility exclusively serves the US and Canadian markets, replacing the E-Series vans in Ford’s North American lineup.
Is Ford Transit made in China?
In Asia, the Ford Transit for the Chinese market is produced locally by Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) in Nanchang, China. This ensures competitive pricing and compliance with local regulations. Ford also continues to supply some Asian and Middle Eastern markets from Turkey.
Where was the Ford Transit MK6 & MK7 (2000–2013) made?
The sixth and seventh generations of the Ford Transit — MK6 (2000–2006) and MK7 (2006–2013) — marked a key transition in European production. During this period, Ford gradually shifted manufacturing from Western Europe to more cost-efficient facilities, while keeping some traditional plants operational for certain variants.
For most of the European market, Ford Transit MK6 and MK7 were manufactured at the Ford Otosan plant in Kocaeli, Turkey. The Kocaeli factory began production of the Transit in 2001 and quickly became the main European hub, supplying vans to most markets across the continent. This facility was modernized to handle high-volume production and remained the cornerstone of Ford’s commercial vehicle operations.
In parallel, Ford’s Southampton Assembly Plant in the United Kingdom continued building specific Transit variants — primarily rear-wheel-drive and chassis cab models — until its closure in 2013. Southampton had been the historical home of the Transit since the 1970s, and during the MK6 and MK7 generations it complemented Turkish production.
Ford Genk in Belgium
Additionally, some early MK6 units were assembled at the Ford Genk plant in Belgium, although this ceased by 2002 as Ford consolidated production in Turkey. Diesel engines for these generations were supplied by the Dagenham Engine Plant in the UK, ensuring consistent powertrain supply for both Southampton and Kocaeli-built vans.
Where was the Ford Transit MK3-MK5 (1986–2000) build?
The third, fourth, and fifth generations of the Ford Transit — MK3 (1986–1991), MK4 (1991–1994), and MK5 (1994–2000) — were all produced primarily in Western Europe, with production expanding into new regional plants in the 1990s. Throughout this period, the Southampton Assembly Plant in the United Kingdom remained the main production site for the Transit, manufacturing the majority of European-market cargo vans. The plant was responsible for the full range of body styles and configurations and served as the backbone of Ford’s commercial vehicle production.
To meet growing demand in continental Europe, Ford’s Genk plant in Belgium also assembled Transit vans, supplying markets outside the UK. Production at Genk supported Southampton through all three generations, particularly for left-hand-drive models.
Ford Otosan in Turkey
In 1976, Ford began assembling Transits in Turkey through its Ford Otosan joint venture. This facility in Istanbul continued producing the MK3, MK4, and MK5 for the Turkish market and surrounding regions throughout the 1980s and 1990s, laying the groundwork for Turkey’s future role as Ford’s main European Transit hub.
By the late 1990s, Ford expanded production further east, establishing smaller assembly operations for CKD (completely knocked down) kits in Płońsk, Poland and Obchak, Belarus to serve local markets more effectively. These facilities primarily handled final assembly from kits shipped from Southampton or Genk.
Where was the Ford Transit MK1 & MK2 (1965–1986) made?
The first and second generations of the Ford Transit — MK1 (1965–1978) and MK2 (1978–1986) — established the van as a European bestseller. Production during these two decades was concentrated in the UK, with additional capacity added in continental Europe as demand grew.
Initially, the Langley plant in Berkshire, United Kingdom built the MK1 Transit from 1965. However, production quickly moved to the larger Southampton Assembly Plant in 1972, which became the primary manufacturing site for all subsequent British-built Transits. The Southampton plant produced both MK1 and MK2 models, serving the UK and export markets.
In parallel, Ford’s Genk plant in Belgium began assembling Transits in 1965 to supply continental European markets, particularly left-hand-drive vehicles. This arrangement continued into the MK2 generation, ensuring that European customers could be served efficiently from within the Common Market.
Other European and overseas assembly
During the MK2 era, production also started at Ford’s Amsterdam plant in the Netherlands, which assembled Transits for the local market and nearby regions until 1981. Additionally, in 1976 Ford launched Transit production at its Otosan plant in Istanbul, Turkey, producing the MK2 for the domestic market and neighboring countries.
Beyond Europe, the MK1 and MK2 were assembled under license from CKD kits in markets such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and even South Korea. These localized operations allowed Ford to compete in regions with high tariffs on fully built imports.
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