Ford has formally chosen Lengthy Seashore as its new dwelling to develop its next-generation EV platform. The brand new headquarters can be the place Ford’s “Skunkworks” crew will construct its inexpensive next-gen electrical automobiles.
CEO Jim Farley revealed Ford had been “secretly” engaged on a low-cost EV platform on a media name with traders in February.
In response to Farley, Ford had a small “skunkworks” crew engaged on the mission. The crew consists of “a few of the finest EV engineers on the planet.”
Alan Clarke, who beforehand labored at Tesla for 12 years, leads the mission. Nonetheless, it’s not simply Tesla that Ford has taken expertise from. The crew consists of former Rivian, Lucid, and Apple staff.
Ford has additionally introduced on eVTOL business expertise from leaders like Archer Aviation, Joby, and Hyundai’s Supernal.
“They’re engineering a totally completely different method, a unique product at a unique value with a a lot smaller battery and completely different chemistry,” Farley defined.
The crew is advancing Ford’s next-gen inexpensive electrical automobiles. Ford has mentioned the brand new platform can be versatile and can assist a number of various kinds of automobiles.
Ford picks new dwelling for its inexpensive electrical automobiles
Rex Richardson, Mayor of Lengthy Seashore, and Ford introduced the brand new dwelling for the automaker’s new Superior Electrical Car Growth Middle Wednesday.
Ford’s chief EV officer, Doug Area, mentioned the brand new facility is “a key a part of our broader technique to construct the most effective electrical car and know-how growth groups on the planet.”
Area added that the Lengthy Seashore headquarters will “create a hub for the event of superior electrical car applied sciences and merchandise” alongside its Product Growth Middle in Dearborn and Greenfield labs location in Palo Alto.
In response to Ford’s EV chief, the crew is “creating automobiles which are as inexpensive as they’re fascinating.”
Ford was the second best-selling EV model within the US by way of Might. The Mustang Mach-E was the third best-selling EV, behind solely Tesla’s Mannequin Y and Mannequin 3, whereas the F-150 Lightning pickup remained America’s top-selling pickup.