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.Voice your opinion!
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