Ford's Investment In Electrification Center Of Excellence Delivers New Jobs, Better Fuel Economy, More Choice

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• Ford now has more than 1,000 engineers working on vehicle electrification – its highest number ever; 60 engineers added in the last year, dozens more to be added in the year ahead
• Most of the 1,000 engineers are located under one roof at the newly dedicated Advanced Electrification Center in Dearborn, Mich.
• Ford is doubling its battery-testing capabilities by 2013, helping accelerate its hybrid and electric vehicle development by as much as 25 percent
• By developing more technologies in-house through investments in infrastructure and people, Ford is delivering more affordable and fuel-efficient vehicles to its customers

Ford is adding new green jobs, doubling its battery-testing capabilities and speeding electrified vehicles to market by at least 25 percent, creating even more fuel-efficient choices for customers.

"The good news for customers is that they not only have more choice, but they have faster access to Ford's latest and greatest in fuel-saving technologies and vehicles," said Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of Powertrain Engineering. "This stems directly from our decisions to deliver true power of choice by expanding our dedicated electrified vehicle team and further investing in our facilities."

Ford is investing $135 million in the design, engineering and production of key components – including advanced battery systems – for its next-generation hybrid-electric vehicles going into production this year.

For example, Ford's battery-testing capabilities will double by 2013 – to a total of 160 individual battery-test channels. This includes investing in more of the highly specialized machines that can test and simulate everything from power and performance to life and thermal behavior over a complete range of temperatures and possible operating conditions.

Also, Ford is dedicating a 285,000-square-foot research and development lab in Dearborn, Mich., to focus almost entirely on hybrids and electrification. The building formerly known as the Advanced Engineering Center is renamed the Ford Advanced Electrification Center and houses most of the 1,000 engineers working on hybrid and electrification programs.

Ford continues to build its electrified team with 60 engineers hired in the past year and dozens more positions to be filled this year.

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