Ford has launched mass production of the new all-electric Ford Explorer at its premier dedicated electric vehicle (EV) facility in Europe. This milestone comes after a $2 billion investment transformed a historic plant in Cologne into a state-of-the-art EV production hub.
The First of Its Kind
The electric Ford Explorer is the inaugural vehicle to emerge from the Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, marking a significant step towards manufacturing a new generation of high-quality electric passenger vehicles for Europe. A second EV, a new sports crossover, is slated for production later this year.
The all-electric Explorer seamlessly blends German engineering with American flair and offers a superior standard specification, including battery electric powertrains that ensure zero tailpipe emissions and a driving range exceeding 600 km on a single charge.
“To see the Cologne factory founded by Ford in 1930 being transformed into a state-of-the-art electric vehicle production facility is nothing short of amazing. The start of mass production of electric vehicles, with the new all-electric Explorer, marks the beginning of a new era for Ford in Europe,” said Kieran Cahill, vice president, Manufacturing, Ford in Europe and International Markets Group.
A Factory of the Future
The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center features advanced AI technology and hundreds of meticulously programmed robots, which work in unison to produce the next generation of high-quality EVs for Ford customers across Europe. The plant’s “digital twin” continuously monitors and assists production line operators, ensuring the highest quality standards.
Supported by over 600 new robots, the center handles tasks such as welding, cutting, dusting, painting, and fusing with precision, efficiency, and quality. A new control center oversees the entire assembly process in real time, ensuring every part and nut at each workstation is accounted for. This control center’s giant touchscreen displays all workstations and provides information on tooling, material delivery, and work safety. Employees on the line use smaller touchscreens to update the status of their workstations.
“By monitoring and controlling every step of the manufacturing process, Ford will achieve unprecedented levels of quality for our customers,” said Rene Wolf, managing director, Manufacturing, Ford-Werke GmbH.
Sustainable Production
The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is among Ford’s most efficient vehicle assembly plants globally, achieving significant reductions in emissions, water usage, and energy consumption. Ford is dedicated to a carbon neutrality pathway for the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, continuously improving carbon efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
All electricity and natural gas required to operate the plant is sourced from 100% certified renewable electricity and biomethane. Ford Motor Company aims for carbon neutrality across its European production facilities, logistics, and direct suppliers by 2035.
The new all-electric Ford Explorer represents a pivotal shift towards sustainable, high-performance electric vehicles, aligning with global efforts to reduce emissions and promote green energy solutions.
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