Ford unveils electric vehicles

Ford unveiled three electric vehicles at the 2011 North American International Auto Show earlier this month.

Led by the all-new Ford Focus, the vehicle lineup demonstrates how Ford is transforming its product range for a high-tech, fuel-efficient future. The lineup includes Focus Electric, the first fuel-free, zero-emissions passenger car from Ford Motor Company; and two all-new, high-mileage family-friendly C-MAX vehicles, including Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

"It’s about giving consumers more options for fuel-efficient vehicles of this size and footprint, and providing them the power of choice for electrified vehicles, as well," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "Now, we’re bringing even more to customers with the versatility of the new C-MAX and three different alternatives for customers who want to save fuel by going electric, offering real choice and more products people really want."

The new products are created from a common global C-segment platform, which leverages Ford design, engineering and manufacturing strengths globally, broadens the reach of global car products to more than 120 markets, brings new levels of fuel efficiency and smart technology to customers worldwide, and extends the company’s electrification strategy.

The Ford Focus Electric, the five-passenger Ford C-MAX Energi (Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), and the Ford C-MAX Hybrid, will be introduced in North America in 2012.

Production of these models for North America will take place in late 2011 at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. The company invested approximately $1 billion to transform its Michigan Assembly Plant to build the Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid. Ford teamed with Detroit Edison, Xtreme Power and the state of Michigan to establish one of the largest solar power generation systems in the state at the Michigan Assembly Plant. The renewable energy captured by the project’s primary solar energy system will help power vehicle production. The company also moved battery system design and development in-house, shifting production of the battery packs for its next-generation hybrid from Mexico to Michigan. Ford will produce hybrid transaxles at its Van Dyke Transmission facility in Sterling Heights, Mich., beginning in 2012.

www.ford.ca