Ford electrification
FORD recently announced a €42 million investment in its Valencia manufacturing plant, Spain, to support the company’s electrification strategy with a state-of-the-art battery assembly facility in addition to new S-MAX Hybrid and Galaxy Hybrid models.
Two new assembly lines will enable the advanced lithium-ion batteries that help power all-new Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, all-new Kuga Hybrid, and new S-MAX Hybrid and Galaxy Hybrid to be produced alongside the vehicles for greater manufacturing efficiency and sustainability. Delivered through a €24 million investment, the new battery assembly facility will begin production in September this year.
When introduced in early 2021, the new S-MAX Hybrid sport activity vehicle and Galaxy Hybrid people mover will deliver enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions and greater refinement. The currently unique-to-segment electrified powertrain will offer a compelling alternative to Ford’s EcoBlue diesel-powered models without compromising interior space, comfort or flexibility.
Production of the new self-charging electrified S-MAX and Galaxy variants – powered by a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine, electric motor, generator and lithium-ion battery – is enabled by an additional €8 million investment in new tooling and assembly line upgrades at Ford’s Valencia facility. A further €10 million investment supports production of the all-new Kuga Hybrid SUV. Ford is introducing 14 electrified vehicles in Europe by the end of 2020.
Ford has invested €3 billion in its Valencia facility since 2011, including €750 million to support production of Kuga – Ford’s most electrified vehicle ever with a comprehensive line-up including the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, Kuga EcoBlue Hybrid (48-volt mild-hybrid) and Kuga Hybrid** (full-hybrid) variants.
The S-MAX Hybrid and Galaxy Hybrid share Ford’s latest full-hybrid architecture introduced with the all-new Kuga Hybrid, incorporating a water-cooled lithium-ion battery mounted in a crash absorbent, waterproof structure beneath the vehicle’s underbody for the most efficient use of space.
The S-MAX and Galaxy Hybrids will both feature seven seats as standard and offer optimised flexibility, retaining existing load space of 2,020 and 2,339 litres respectively.