As it bids to establish itself as the leading US manufacturer in the green car race, Ford has announced a huge $450million investment plan that it hopes will pave the way for the next generation of hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars.
The announcement was made by Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford at the Detroit Auto Show (North American International Auto Show). He stated that the new investment will be additional to the $550million set aside to transform the Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to one that focuses on the all-new Ford Focus and the Focus pure battery electric vehicle. It is hoped that the additional investment will allow Michigan Assembly to be the production site of next generation hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.
Ford is also hoping to bring its battery system design and development in-house – it will design lithium-ion battery systems for the next generation hybrid in Michigan while moving production of the battery packs from Mexico to the state. It will also build hybrid transaxles at its Van Dyke Transmission Facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan, from the start of 2012.
According to Ford, the partnership with the state of Michigan is crucial to plans to accelerate electric vehicles with the Michigan Economic Growth Authority Board having approved a package of incentives and tax credits totalling $188million. This also incorporates job credits, battery pack assembly credits and brownfield site credits.
The company has also outlined plans to bring several electrified vehicles to market over the next three years including the Ford Transit Connect electric commercial van; the Ford Focus electric passenger car by 2011; and the next generation hybrid based on the C-car platform in 2012 with a plug-in also planned for the same year.
