Ford confirmed seven of 13 new global electrified vehicles coming in the next five years. The upcoming lineup includes F-150 Hybrid, Mustang Hybrid, Transit Custom plug-in hybrid, a new, fully electric small SUV with an estimated range of at least 500 kilometers and two new electrified police vehicles.
The Flat Rock (Michigan) Assembly Plant is being adapted to meet the requirements of producing electric autonoums vehicles. Automaker will reportedly invest $700 million. Also, 700 direct new jobs are planned, while also securing jobs for the current 3,500 workers in Ford's American plants.
Ford will begin testing its new EV technologies in Europe, putting Transit Custom plug-in hybrid on the road later this year. Ford is also testing a fleet of 20 Transit Connect hybrid taxi and van prototypes in some of the world's most demanding traffic conditions on the roads of New York and several major U.S. cities.
According to Ford, the company intends to expand its business model by aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities in development of other technologies, aimed especially at battery charging - emphasis, of course, will be on wireless charging.