Ford intends to invest up to £230 million at its UK vehicle transmission facility to transform it to build electric power units for future Ford all-electric passenger and commercial vehicles sold in Europe. Power unit production at the Halewood facility is expected to begin in mid-2024.
Production capacity is planned to be around 250,000 units a year.
The investment – which includes U.K Government support through its Automotive Transformation Fund – will help safeguard the Ford jobs at Halewood.
Ford Europe previously announced a new $1 billion investment to modernise its vehicle assembly facility in Cologne, Germany, one of its largest manufacturing centres in Europe and the home of Ford of Europe.
Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe, says: “This is an important step, marking Ford’s first in-house investment in all-electric vehicle component manufacturing in Europe. It strengthens further our ability to deliver 100 percent of Ford passenger vehicles in Europe being all-electric and two-thirds of our commercial vehicle sales being all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.”
He adds: “We also want to thank the U.K. Government for its support for this important investment at Halewood which reconfirms Ford’s continuing commitment to the U.K. and our position as a leading investor in this country’s auto industry and technological base.”
The UK Government’s business secretary, The Rt. Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng MP, comments: “Ford’s decision to build its first electric vehicle components in Europe at its Halewood site is further proof that the UK remains one of the best locations in the world for high-quality automotive manufacturing. In this highly competitive, global race to secure electric vehicle manufacturing, our priority is to ensure the UK reaps the benefits.”
Ford has committed to have 100 percent of its passenger vehicles as all-electric and two-thirds of its commercial vehicle sales be all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.
Keyword: Ford to Invest £230 Million in U.K. Facility to Build Electric Vehicle Components in Europe