Ford Motors routinely makes big claims about plans to electrify their vehicle line-up. The details are important, because Ford rarely means fully battery-electric vehicles but instead a hybrid or plug-in hybrid drive-train. In this case one of the two new EV's is a PHEV (plug-in hybrid) rather than BEV (battery EV). While this is a step towards the goal of a fully electric (no fossil fuels) the vehicle fleet, that's nowhere near what Ford is promising. When Ford promises 'to electrify 70% of Ford nameplates sold' in China, that simply means 70% of their vehicle line will have an option for an electric something-or-other in the drive-train, which could mean a simple hybrid drive-train. It doesn't even promise 70% of their sales will have electric components in the drive-train, but 70% of the vehicle line.
Ford announces two new electrified vehicles as part of its China electrification plan -- the Mondeo Energi plug-in hybrid and an all-new fully electric small SUV with an estimated range of more than 450 kilometers
The Mondeo Energi will be locally manufactured in China next year through Ford’s Changan Ford joint venture; this is in addition to the China-produced Mondeo Hybrid that went on sale late last year
By 2025, Ford will provide a comprehensive range of electrified vehicles in China with plans to electrify 70 percent of all Ford nameplates sold, including the full range of Ford models produced by the Changan Ford JV
Ford will begin locally manufacturing electrified powertrains by 2020 in line with its commitment to bring the best global technology to China
Ford will expand its electrified powertrain engineering capabilities in Nanjing, China, to support its growing electrified lineup and the development of next generation EV technologies
Shanghai, April 6, 2017 – Ford Motor Company today detailed an ambitious China electrification strategy, confirming two new electrified vehicles for China and a broad range of EVs by 2025.
The Mondeo Energi, to be launched in early 2018, will be the first plug-in hybrid to be manufactured by the Changan Ford JV. Ford also confirmed plans to bring an all-new fully electric small SUV to China within five years.
China is the world’s largest new energy vehicle market thanks to strong government support and growing customer acceptance. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers of China, by 2025 new energy vehicles are expected to account for over 15 percent of total passenger vehicle sales in China.
“The time is right for Ford to expand our EV lineup and investments in China,” said Mark Fields, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company, who will further detail Ford’s electrification strategy at a special event in Shanghai on April 8. “We are prioritizing our electrification efforts on China to reflect its importance as a global electrified vehicle market and to make lives better, simpler and more cost effective for Chinese consumers.”
To address the diverse needs of consumers in China, including the growing demand for EVs, Ford will offer a comprehensive range of electrified solutions by 2025 -- hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully battery-powered electric vehicles. By then, 70 percent of all Ford nameplates will have electrified powertrain options, including the full range of nameplates produced by Changan Ford.
In addition, by 2020 Ford will start manufacturing electrified powertrains in China. It also plans to expand its new energy vehicle engineering capabilities at its Nanjing Research and Engineering Centre, with a focus on incorporating Chinese customer needs into Ford’s next generation EV technologies.
Leading in electrification is fundamental to Ford’s transformation into an auto and a mobility company. Globally, the company is investing $4.5 billion to electrify its most-popular, highest-volume vehicles for customers, offering more capability, productivity and performance -- together with better fuel economy. In January, Ford confirmed seven of the 13 new global EVs it will launch in the next five years, including the all-new fully electric small SUV that will be sold in China, and a hybrid autonomous vehicle designed for commercial operations in mobility services, starting in North America.