Electric Cars to Become a Priority, Says Ford's Mulally

As the automotive industry turned sharply around and changed consumers' points of views over certain car models, electric cars are to become mandatory in the next year, Ford's CEO Alan Mulally explained. Because of that, the American automaker plans to rely as much as possible of electric vehicles, he said at the Wall Street Journal ECO:nomics conference in Santa Barbara, California, according to Autonews.

"In 10 years, 12 years, you are going to see a major portion of our portfolio move to electric vehicles," Mulally explained, pointing that Ford will develop several new electric models in the next few years.

The American automaker recently showed its commitment to electric vehicles unveiling plans to design an electric van based on Transit connect as well as a battery-powered small car model plus a plug-in hybrid by 2012. The electric van is expected to arrive in 2010, Ford said in a statement a few weeks ago. The plug-in hybrid will be especially aimed at competing with GM's Chevrolet Volt which is due to arrive on the market in 2011.

"Ten years is going to come very quickly and I think we'll have a significant improvement in the fuel efficiency in the internal combustion engine," he said emphasizing that hybrid models and electric cars will become a priority for Ford in the next years. "You'll see more hybrids, but you will really see a lot more electric vehicles."

In addition to Ford's long-term plans, Alan Mullaly also insisted that the company still doesn't need government financial aid. "We went to Washington to help GM and Chrysler, we didn't need the money," Mullaly explained Ford's attitude regarding the initial bailout requested by the Detroit 3 in the fourth quarter of 2008.