ford want a new series more affordable from 2027 Electric vehicles bring onto the market and thus the growing competition China encounter. However, the US car maker grants a high risk. “I can’t tell you with 100 % certainty that all of this will go well,” said Ford boss Jim Farley (63) on Monday. “It’s a bet. There is a risk.”
According to the group, the new model family has a medium-sized pick-up from $ 30,000. The four -door vehicle is to be built in Louisville in the state of Kentucky. Ford invests almost two billion dollars in the location and thus secures at least 2200 jobs. Loud CNBC
This investment is added to the already planned $ 3 billion in Michigan for a battery park. In total, Ford will create or secure around 4,000 new jobs, the carmaker shared
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The background to the new strategy is the cost pressure by Chinese manufacturers such as Byd, the electric cars produce significantly cheaper. During the average price for an electric car in the USA In June around $ 47,000, many Chinese models go to customers for $ 10,000 to $ 25,000.
“It is a brave and difficult undertaking to compete with the best in the world,” said Doug Field loudly “Wall Street Journal
“, A former Tesla– and Apple manager that Ford stopped four years ago to lead the technical transformation. Not only Ford tries to meet cheaper e-cars from the cheap competition from China. Volkswagen announced in the spring that one to launch electric cars for around 20,000 euros – But not until 2027.
Fewer parts, lighter, more efficient production
Ford’s electric car business has so far burned billions. Ford develops the cheap electric cars in a special team in California, which is occupied by experts from competitors Tesla and Rivian. The new electric cars should score with fewer parts, lighter materials and a more efficient manufacturing process. In order to reduce the costs, the group also relies on lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP), which are produced with the technology of the Chinese manufacturer Catl.
Ford’s step comes to a difficult time for electric vehicles in the USA. According to “WSJ”, car manufacturers reduce their commitment in this segment or avoid it completely. The government has decided to let a state tax credit of up to $ 7,500 for new and relaxed electric vehicles expire in September. This should continue to reduce sales at the end of the year, said market observer.
Ford had recently withdrawn due to high losses from previous, more ambitious plans. For the division for electric vehicles and software, the group is expecting a loss of up to $ 5.5 billion this year. In the first half of the year, sales of the three e-models offered in the USA fell by 12 percent, while interest in hybrid vehicles increased by 27 percent.