It cost $2 billion and give the old facility a new lease on life.
Ford has officially opened the doors of its Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, which is effectively an all-new facility following a $2 billion upgrade. The plant was founded in the Niehl district of Cologne, Germany, in 1930.
Following the $2 billion investment, the 125-hectare site has a brand-new production line. It's also tasked with battery assembly, state-of-the-art tooling, and automation. According to Ford, it has an annual production capacity of 250,000 plus electric vehicles, starting with the recently introduced European all-electric Explorer. The second vehicle, an unnamed sports crossover, will follow later.
Most important of all is the fact that the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center will be Ford's first carbon-neutral vehicle assembly plant globally. It's an important milestone and a big step toward real zero-emissions motoring.
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“Opening the Cologne EV Center is the start of a new generation of clean manufacturing and electric vehicles in Europe,” said Bill Ford, Executive Chair. “This facility will now be one of the most efficient and environmentally responsible plants in the entire industry. I am thrilled to continue working toward a zero emissions future for our children and grandchildren.”
Ford will use new processes, machinery, and technology to achieve carbon neutrality. The electricity and natural gas used to run it will be certified renewable. The local energy provider will offset the corresponding emissions from the plant on Ford's behalf. This local provider will reduce operating emissions by 60% in 2026 and 100% by 2035, corresponding with the European Union's strict emissions regulations for the automotive industry.
“The carbon-neutral Cologne EV Center is a leading automotive industry showcase for the switch from traditional auto manufacturing to electric vehicle production,” said Martin Sander, general manager of Ford Model e Europe.
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As previously mentioned, the Cologne plant opened in 1930 and has been the production site of several vital models wearing the Blue Oval. These include the Model A, Taurus, Capri, Granada, and Fiesta. It has produced over 18 million cars so far. “The Cologne EV Center signals the start of a new era for Ford in Europe,” said Sander.
Ford did not say whether these electric vehicles will be exported to the USA, The US Explorer is a much larger vehicle than the VW-based European version, so it won't be sold locally. It could be any of the seven new fully electric passenger vehicles and vans Ford wants to introduce by 2024, but it's improbable.
Germany does not have a free-trade agreement with the USA, which means any EVs manufactured in Cologne would not qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. With Tesla prices at an all-time low thanks to tax credits, Ford USA can't afford to import electric vehicles.
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Keyword: Ford Re-Opens Iconic 93-Year-Old Factory As Carbon-Neutral EV Plant