2010 Detroit Auto Show: Ford to Invest Additional $450 Million in Electric Vehicles
By Scott Doggett January 11, 2010Company Says It Will Also Move Production of EV Batteries to Michigan From Mexico.
By Scott Doggett, Contributor
#NAIAS - Ford Motor Co. announced today that it will invest an additional $450 million in its aggressive electric vehicle plan, paving the way to build a next-generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle in Michigan beginning in 2012.
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford ringed by press today after announcing the company's additional investment in EVs.
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The investment is expected to create 1,000 new jobs, Ford executives said on the floor of downtown Detroit's Cobo Center, home to the annual North American International Auto Show.
In addition to building the Ford Focus Electric and next-generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid at the Michigan Assembly Plant, Ford said it will be bringing battery system design and development in-house.
Ford will design advanced lithium-ion battery systems for the next-generation hybrid in Michigan and move production of the battery packs to the state from Mexico.
The announcement came as several dozen United Auto Workers picketed in steady snowfall outside the massive white convention center, their signs urging America's automakers to employ Americans.
The investment announced today is in addition to Ford's already announced plans to invest $550 million to transform the Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to a modern car plant to build the all-new Focus starting in 2010 and Focus Electric battery electric vehicle in 2011.
With today's news, the assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan, will be the production site of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and 100-percent battery-electric vehicles, all of which will be built off the company's new global C-car platform.
"This investment underscores how serious we are about delivering a range of electrified vehicles to customers, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles," said Executive Chairman Bill Ford.
"Our industry is at the intersection of three critical global issues - the economy, energy and the environment. The winning companies will be those that address these issues with vehicles that are also exciting and fun to drive, without compromises," he said.
Ford's Electric-Vehicle Lineup
As part of its aggressive electrification plan, Ford in 2009 doubled the number and volume of its hybrid electric vehicles to include the award-winning Ford Fusion and Escape hybrids and Mercury Milan and Mariner hybrids.
Going forward, Ford plans to bring the following electrified vehicles to market over the next three years:
- Ford Transit Connect battery electric vehicle commercial van in 2010;
- Ford Focus Electric passenger car in 2011;
- Next-generation hybrid based on C-car platform in 2012;
- Plug-in hybrid based on C-car platform in 2012.
The battery-electric version of the redesigned Ford Focus follows in 2011. Focus Electric will have a targeted range of up to 100 miles per full charge with zero tailpipe emissions.
The next-generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles slated for 2012 also will be built on Ford's global C platform. These vehicles, which have not been revealed yet, will leverage Ford's experience with its current hybrid lineup and its plug-in hybrid fleet, which is undergoing road testing with the company's utility industry partners.
A key component driving development of Ford's upcoming electric vehicles is lithium-ion battery system technology - the design, development and assembly of which Ford will bring in-house for its new hybrid vehicles.
"Battery system design and development will be a core competency for Ford in the 21st century," said Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of Global Electrification. "Building in-house expertise and leveraging our global scale is critical to developing electrified vehicles that are affordable, connected and fun to drive."
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