Ford to Build Electric Motors in Detroit
As if the debut of the Mustang Mach-E and sizable financial investments weren’t indication enough, Ford is going all in on electrification. As the Blue Oval turns increasingly toward EVs, electric motors become a larger priority. Where most electric motors are typically purchased from suppliers, Ford seems poised to build its own electric motors at the Van Dyke Transmission plant in Detroit.
Per Automotive News, the conditions of the recently agreed-upon Ford/UAW agreement have Ford closing the Romeo Engine plant and moving 600 employees to Van Dyke, which is the recipient of $400 million in investments over four years. Auto News spoke with Auto Forecast Solutions’ Brian Maxim, who believes that the electric motors to be built at Van Dyke will leverage Toshiba technology.
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The benefits of Ford building its own electric motors include lower production cost and increased volume capability. This should allow Ford to make its electrified vehicles more affordable as the industry’s giants race to establish themselves as frontrunners in their increasing electrification efforts.
Auto News postulates that the motors may very well be used in the recently debuted Mustang Mach-E or other upcoming electrified vehicles including the all-electric F-150 and the product of Ford’s $500 million collaboration with Rivian.
Ford is expected to deliver 16 fully electric vehicles to the market by 2022, part of an $11.5 billion investment that should see 40 electrified vehicles launch around the globe. In addition to the new Mustang Mach-E, Ford has revealed hybrid versions of its Explorer and Escape.
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News Source: Automotive News (subscription required)
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