Over the next 4 years, Ford will bring pure electric, hybrid and plug-in vehicles to consumers.
Ford, in collaboration with high-tech partners, is committed to bringing electric-powered vehicles to market quickly and affordably. The aggressive plan, unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, signals the next phase in Ford’s strategy to deliver the best or among the best fuel efficiency with every new vehicle it introduces and to make fuel efficiency solutions affordable for millions of customers.
To start, Ford will introduce in North America during the next four years:
- A new battery electric commercial van in 2010
- A new battery electric small car in 2011 to be developed jointly with Magna International
- Next-generation hybrid vehicles, including a plug-in version by 2012
Helping Ford leverage its global high-volume global small car and midsize car platforms are Ford’s key strategic partners, including a new collaboration with Magna International to bring a new lithium ion battery-powered small car to market in North America in 2011.
Ford already has other collaborations and partnerships to accelerate the commercialization of electrified vehicles. These include:
- Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute currently are road testing a fleet of Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-ins. Work with the utility industry partners is focused on understanding customer usage and the interconnectivity of vehicles with the electric grid.
- A four-way “Eco-Partnership” in China to expand its global expertise with electric-powered vehicles. Ford, Changan Auto Group and the cities of Chongqing, China and Denver, Colo., are exploring ways to develop projects to help further energy security and promote economic and environmental sustainability.
- The U.S. Department of Energy awarded a $10 million grant to Ford’s development of PHEVs. The DOE currently is road testing one of Ford’s Escape Hybrid Plug-ins to support technological innovation related to the electrification of transportation.
- In the UK, Ford is collaborating with Tanfield, the market leader for electric vehicles, to offer battery-electric versions of the Ford Transit and Transit Connect commercial vehicles for fleet customers in the UK and European markets.
Also this year, Ford is doubling its production and offerings of hybrid vehicles with the new Fusion and Milan hybrids. During the past five years, Ford has sold nearly 100,000 hybrid vehicles, starting with the introduction of the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the most fuel efficient SUVs in the world.
Quotes
“Ford is heading in the direction America and our customers want us to go, which is a green, high-tech and global future. I think that is where society would like to see the entire industry go, and Ford is going to lead that charge.”
- Bill Ford, Ford Executive Chairman
“Next-generation hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure battery powered vehicles are the logical next steps in our pursuit of greater fuel economy and sustainability. A growing number of consumers want that kind of choice, and we want to be in a position to deliver it to them across multiple vehicle categories.”
- Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s Group Vice President of Global Product Development
Tags: Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Ford Technology, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Magna International, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) sustainability
