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Ford Plans to Triple Production Capacity of its Electric Vehicles

June 9, 2011
Automaker will grow EV production to more than 100,000 annually by 2013.

Ford Motor Co. said it is tripling production capacity of its electrified vehicle lineup through 2013, "thanks to growing consumer appetites for green vehicles and growing desires for stylish new Focus-sized vehicles."

Ford noted that it sells approximately 35,000 electrified vehicles a year, led by the Fusion hybrid and Escape hybrid. The automaker plans to increase EV production capacity to more than 100,000 annually by 2013. The production ramp-up will boost volumes of Ford's new C-MAX hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, which begin production next year. The automaker said it is electrifying platforms, instead of a single vehicle, to offer customers the most choice. "Whether people want a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or full battery-electric vehicle, we have a family of vehicles for them to consider, providing a range of options to best meet their needs and support their driving habits and lifestyles," said Jim Farley, Ford's group vice president of marketing, sales and service. Ford said to plans to have five electrified vehicles in North America by 2012: the Transit Connect electric, on sale now; the Focus Electric, available later this year; the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and C-MAX hybrid; and another hybrid in 2012. Ford has sold more than 100,000 C-MAX five-passenger vehicles in Europe since its launch there in late 2010, according to the automaker. The C-MAX hybrid and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid are based on the C-MAX platform. Adding Green Jobs in Michigan The C-MAX hybrid and C-MAX Energi models will be built alongside the 2012 Ford Focus and Focus electric at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. Ford boasts it is the first plant in the world to produce gasoline-powered vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid and plug-in hybrids under one roof. In line with the green theme, the plant's production is powered in part by one of the largest solar-energy generator systems in the state, according to the automaker.

Sherif Marakby, director of electric vehicle programs and engineering, announces that Ford is adding more than 220 green-technology jobs, including 50 new engineers, in Michigan, as it ramps up production of electrified vehicles.
Ford said it is adding more than 220 green-technology jobs in Michigan, including a combined 170 jobs at Ford's Rawsonville and Van Dyke transmission plants. That number also includes more than 50 new engineers based in Dearborn in the past 12 months specifically for the design and development of key component for Ford hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full battery-electric vehicles, according to Ford. Employees at the Rawsonville Plant in Ypsilanti, Mich., will assemble advanced lithium-ion battery packs for the C-MAX hybrid, as well as the larger lithium-ion battery packs for C-MAX Energi. Production currently is performed by a supplier in Mexico. Both battery packs are being designed in-house by Ford engineers. Employees at Ford's Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., will build the electric-drive transaxles, work currently outsourced to a supplier facility in Japan for current-model hybrids. See Also:

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors. 

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.  

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