Dive Brief:
- Ford Motor Co. is retiming the launch of EVs and expanding its hybrid vehicles offerings as it continues to fine-tune its strategy for next-generation vehicles, the automaker announced in a press release Thursday.
- Despite the timing shift, the automaker said it will continue to build out an advanced manufacturing system — including greenfield construction and upgrades to its existing assembly plants — while it prepares to produce its next-generation electric vehicles.
- Ford's goal is to have a hybrid version available of every vehicle in its Ford Blue model lineup in North America by the end of the decade.
Dive Insight:
As Ford and other legacy automakers struggle to make a profit on EVs, several are changing their approach to the product lines.
General Motors, for example, is planning to launch hybrid versions of its popular models to electrify its lineup and lower emissions. Meanwhile, a Ford "skunkworks" team in California is currently designing a new low-cost flexible EV platform for high volume production that will underpin future models and make them more affordable.
Ford’s revised electrification plans include changes to several manufacturing facilities and changes to its product lineup. The automaker plans to convert its Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario into an EV manufacturing complex. The work is slated to begin in the second quarter.
“We are fully committed to manufacturing in Canada and believe this decision will help us build a profitably growing business for the long term,” said Ford CEO, Jim Farley, in a press release.
Ford is also postponing the launch of a new three-row electric SUV until 2027 as it prepares its Oakville Assembly Plant and two other U.S. factories to produce EVs. The forthcoming electric SUV, which will be assembled at the Oakville plant, was originally due to launch in 2025.
Ford says that retiming the launch of its new electric SUV to 2027 will also allow it to take advantage of emerging battery technology to increase durability and reduce costs.
“As the No. 2 EV brand in the U.S. for the past two years, we are committed to scaling a profitable EV business, using capital wisely and bringing to market the right gas, hybrid and fully electric vehicles at the right time,” Farley said in a press release.
In addition to the Oakville plant, Ford is expanding its Ohio Assembly Plant to produce a new electric commercial vehicle for Ford Pro customers beginning mid-decade.
Ford also said that work on its BlueOval City production complex in Tennessee is progressing on schedule, which includes the installation of around 4,000 tons of stamping machinery for an all-new electric truck, which the company aims to launch in 2026.
Other construction projects include Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, and BlueOval SK joint venture battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee.
