A second electric model, which will be a sporty crossover, will be revealed soon, with production in Cologne starting later in the year
Mass production of the new all-electric Ford Explorer began today at the company’s first dedicated electric vehicle production facility in Europe following a $2 billion investment that transformed a historic facility into a “factory of the future.”
Marking an important step on the way to producing a whole new generation of premium electric passenger vehicles for Europe, the new Explorer is the first vehicle to roll off the production line at Ford’s Electric Vehicle Center in Cologne. A second EV, which will be a new sporty crossover, will be revealed soon and will begin production at the facility later this year.
The new Ford Explorer combines German engineering and American philosophy with superior standard specifications, which include battery electric drive systems that ensure zero emissions when driving and a range of over 600 kilometers on a single charge.
“To see the historic factory in Cologne founded by Ford in 1930 being transformed into a state-of-the-art electric vehicle production facility is simply amazing. The start of mass production electric vehicles with the all-Ford 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.
The factory of the future
Ford’s Electric Vehicle Center in Cologne is equipped with advanced Artificial Intelligence systems as well as hundreds of state-of-the-art, choreographed robots that will create a new generation of high-quality electric vehicles for the company’s customers in Europe. The plant’s “digital twin” system monitors and supports production line operators to achieve high quality standards.
The Electric Vehicle Center in Cologne is supported by self-learning machines and more than 600 new robots that perform welding, cutting, waxing, painting and assembly tasks in a complex choreography that comes to ensure precision, efficiency and quality, among other things.
The unit’s new control center monitors the entire assembly process in real time – even the quantity of individual parts and screws at each workstation. The factory’s “digital twin” is visualized on a giant touchscreen that contains all workstations and provides information related to tools, material delivery, job safety and more. With small touch screens, workers on the production line provide further information about the status of their workplace.
“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.
More sustainable production
The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is one of Ford’s most efficient vehicle assembly plants worldwide, supported by significant reductions in emissions, water use and energy consumption.
Ford is working towards a zero carbon footprint for the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center. At the start of production, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data will be monitored and recorded for independent certification, according to the latest international standards. With the goal of achieving zero carbon balance, Ford will continuously improve efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to very low levels.
In addition to initiatives that reduce emissions, water use and energy consumption, all the electricity and natural gas required to run the plant comes 100% from renewable sources and biomethane. Ford Motor Company is aiming for zero carbon production in all its facilities, logistics and direct suppliers in Europe by 2035.
Source: Skai
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