Ford will launch a hybrid Mustang, an electric SUV and an autonomous vehicle by 2020

Ford will invest 4.300 million euros in the development of thirteen new electric and autonomous vehicles. The oval brand has confirmed the arrival of a hybrid Mustang V8, a compact electric SUV and a high-volume autonomous vehicle.

The American brand has announced the arrival of thirteen new electric vehicles over the next five years, seven of which have already had some details confirmed.

• A hybrid Ford Mustang paired with the current V8 engine of the most powerful version. Thanks to the additional coupling of an electric motor, this powertrain would increase its torque (low-rev pulling power). The hybrid version of the Mustang will debut in 2020 and will initially be available in North America.
• A new 100% electric compact SUV designed to offer a range of almost 500 kilometres. It will be sold in Europe, North America and Asia and will be available from 2020.
• A high-volume autonomous vehicle for commercial use. It will initially be sold in North America and will reach the market in 2021.
• A hybrid version of the F-150 pickup. This hybrid van will offer great towing and load capacity, and will operate as a mobile generator. It will be available for the year 2020 and sold in North America and the Middle East.
• A plug-in hybrid Transit Custom that will be available from 2019.
• Two new hybrid police vehicles

To bring these seven launches and the remaining six to fruition, Ford will invest 673 million euros in the Flat Rock assembly plant (Michigan). Most of the brand’s electrified vehicles will be produced at this factory, which will take on up to 700 new employees. Ford aims to lead the electric and autonomous car market and, to that end, will make a total investment of 4.300 million euros by 2020.

In a recent interview, Mark Fields, president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, pointed to the market’s evolution towards this new form of propulsion:

Our investments and expanded range reflect our vision that the global supply of electric vehicles will surpass that of petrol-powered ones within the next fifteen years

Ford is testing wireless technology for recharging electric vehicles in a simpler way. In addition, they intend to create a charging network that will be significantly faster than the most powerful system currently in use, according to Ford.

Source | Newspress