Ford Focus Electric to be Built in Michigan

American manufacturer Ford took advantage of its presence at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and announced yesterday, on the sidelines of the new Ford Focus presentation, the release of an electric version of the car in 2011. Until then, Ford made yet another announcement, this time confirming it will invest $450 million in its Michigan facilities to make them EV friendly. Ford will spend the money to engineer, produce and launch new electrified vehicles, battery systems and hybrid transaxles, as well as to build a next-generation hybrid vehicle and plug-in hybrid vehicle at Michigan Assembly Plant beginning in 2012. According to Ford, the Ford Focus and Focus Electric will both be built at Michigan Assembly in 2010 and 2011, respectively. "This investment underscores how serious we are about delivering a range of electrified vehicles to customers – including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles,” Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chairman said when announcing the investment. “Our industry is at the intersection of three critical global issues – the economy, energy and the environment. The winning companies will be those that address these issues with vehicles that are also exciting and fun to drive, without compromises.” The investment comes with the promise of creating some 1,000 new jobs in Michigan, as Ford will move production of the battery packs from Mexico to Michigan. To help Ford along with its endeavors, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority board approved a package of incentives and tax credits totaling $188 million, a package which includes job credits, brownfield site credits and battery pack assembly credits. “Vehicle electrification is part of our ongoing strategy to diversify Michigan’s economy and make the state a center for green and advanced manufacturing,” Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm added. “That is why we have worked so hard to invest in and encourage development of battery and electric vehicle technology and production in the state. We applaud Ford’s leadership and commitment to Michigan and our transportation future.” The American manufacturer also announced the release date of its future fleet of electric vehicles. Thus, the Ford Transit Connect battery electric vehicle commercial van will come this year, the Ford Focus Electric passenger car in 2011, a new generation hybrid based on C-car platform in 2012 and a plug-in hybrid based on C-car platform the same year.