Ford Motor Company announced that it is rescheduling the launch of the next electric cars at its Oakville, Ontario, plant as it continues to expand a complex business formula to produce its next-generation electric cars, adding the structure of new amenities and the conversion of existing meeting plants.
The company continues to invest in a wide diversity of electric vehicle systems as it works to create a complete diversity of electric cars. These project the progression of a differentiated electric vehicle business that is developing profitably over time, while Ford offers its consumers the right mix of gasoline, hybrid and electric cars based on existing demand. At the same time, Ford is expanding its hybrid electric vehicle offerings. By the end of the decade, the company plans to offer hybrid powertrains across its Ford Blue lineup in North America. In the first quarter of 2024, Ford’s EV sales were up 86% and hybrid sales were up 42% compared to a year ago.
“As the second-largest electric vehicle brand in the U. S. , we are proud to be a part of the company’s largest electric vehicle brand. “In the U. S. over the past two years, we are committed to building a successful electric vehicle business, capitalizing wisely on and bringing to market the right gasoline, hybrid, and all-electric cars at the right time. ” said Jim Farley, Ford chairman and chief executive officer. Our revolutionary next-generation electric cars will be all-new and fully software-enabled, with ever-improving virtual reporting and a host of potential services. “
Assembly Plant in Oakville, Ontario
The transformation of the Oakville Assembly Plant (a complete redesign of the gasoline-powered vehicle assembly plant into an electric vehicle production complex) is expected to begin in the second quarter, as planned.
Preparations continue for the market launch of Ford’s new 3-row electric cars at the Oakville, Ontario assembly complex, which the company announced will be postponed until 2027 in 2025. The additional time will allow the core market for 3-in-3 electric car lineup to expand further and allow Ford to take advantage of emerging battery technology, with the goal of providing consumers with greater durability and greater value.
“We appreciate our Canadian teammates and understand that this delay will have an effect on this wonderful team,” Farley said. “We are fully committed to production in Canada and believe this move will help us build successful corporate expansion over the long term. “
The company will work with Unifor to mitigate the effect of the delayed release on its workforce in Oakville.
“We are committed to taking care of our valued Oakville workers in this transition,” said Bev Goodman, president and CEO of Ford of Canada. “While this update calls for a timeline review, it will contribute to a viable and developing future for our company, our workers and our distributors. “
Blue Oval City
The creation of the BlueOval City campus, Ford’s new auto production complex that includes the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center assembly plant, is progressing on schedule. In addition to the paint shop and vehicle assembly equipment, the installation of around 4,000 tonnes of stamping is also underway. The device will produce the stamped sheet steel parts for Ford’s next all-new electric truck.
Ford plans to begin deliveries of the new truck to consumers in 2026 and gradually ramp up production to ensure quality. The Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center will be Ford’s first Industry 4. 0 plant, combining automation and connectivity to deliver quality and efficiency.
Potential workers will meet with Ford representatives at the new Ford Tennessee Discovery Center in Brownsville, Tennessee, as soon as it opens. The plant’s leadership team brings together strong leaders from around the world, adding Ford veterans and skills from Tesla, Amazon, Meta, Toyota, FedEx, and many more. Community members will also be invited to revel in a complex production through real virtual simulations at the Discovery Center.
Ohio Assembly Plant
In addition, Ford continues to expand its Ohio meeting plant in Avon Lake to produce an all-new electric-application vehicle for Ford Pro consumers by the middle of the decade.
Half of the metal design is built on site, the interior slabs are poured, the concrete walls are erected, and masonry begins on the interior walls. Ford plans to begin installing the equipment at the Ohio meeting plant in the spring of 2025.
Employees at the plant, as at other Ford production plants, will use portable generation for efficient, high-quality production.
Electric vehicles of the future
Design work continues on Ford’s next-generation electric cars. A team at Skunkpaintingss in California is developing a smaller, low-cost, cost-effective, and flexible EV platform that can support multiple cars at peak volumes. Alan Clarke leads the upcoming team, which includes Auto Motive Power (AMP) staff, following Ford’s acquisition of the EV energy control startup in late 2023.
Meanwhile, it is making progress at BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall, Michigan, and the BlueOval SK joint venture’s battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky.
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