Ford To Rollout 5 New Hybrids and Electrics in Europe

By Eric Loveday

Eric Loveday

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Eric Loveday is a car enthusiast with a love for everything automotive. He purchased a 1970 Chevelle at age 16, quickly outgrew its dated engineering... More

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Ford Focus BEV for The Jay Leno Show's Green Car Challenge

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The U.S. appears to be one of the target countries for hybrid and electric vehicles.  Many automakers have focuses hybrid efforts solely on the U.S.  Select automakers have chosen to release some of their hybrid offerings in other countries, primarily Japan.  Few automakers have viewed Europe as a source for hybrid sales, but Ford hopes that their plans to bring both hybrids and electric to Europe will be met with great success.

According to Ford, plans to bring hybrid and electric vehicles to Europe will get underway beginning in 2011.  From 2011 to 2013, Ford will introduce a total of 5 new hybrid and electric vehicles on the European continent.  The rollout of each new model will begin in Europe within 6 to 9 months of the vehicles introduction here in the States.

First in line is the Ford Transit Connect electric vehicle.  This vehicle is scheduled for its U.S. release this fall and will likely see its European introduction around the summer of 2011.  After the Transit EV, Ford will release the Focus EV followed by additional hybrid models.

If Ford has sales success within Europe, you can bet that other automakers will follow their lead.  Hybrid success has been limited in Europe due to the dominance of efficient diesel engines, the lack of hybrid model availability, and the cost increase associated with hybrid models.  If these challenges can be overcome, Ford could become a market leader abroad.

Source:  Ford Press Release

FORD EXTENDS GLOBAL ELECTRIC VEHICLES PLAN TO EUROPE: FIVE MODELS TO LAUNCH BY 2013

Ford commits to introduce five full-electric and hybrid models in Europe by 2013 as part of its global electric vehicles plan

To start, zero-emission Ford Transit Connect Electric to launch in 2011, followed by Focus Electric in 2012

Two new hybrid-electric models and a plug-in hybrid-electric model will follow in 2013

Collaborative efforts with governments and partners in European-based trial initiatives provide invaluable experience to help Ford bring full-electric vehicles to market

Geneva, March 2, 2010 – Ford Motor Company is confirming today that its global electric vehicles plan is extending to Europe with five full electric or hybrid vehicles across its C, CD and light commercial vehicle ranges coming for European customers by 2013.

Specifically, Ford will launch two zero-emission full battery-electric vehicles including the Transit Connect Electric light commercial vehicle in 2011 followed by the Ford Focus Electric in 2012. Three other vehicles – two next-generation petrol hybrid-electric vehicles and a plug-in hybrid – will be introduced in 2013.

Ford's global electrification strategy will deliver a suite of electrified vehicles to a variety of markets and build on the company's overall vision of offering the widest possible range of technology solutions – instead of a single vehicle or technology – to improve fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions for customers around the world.

"We recognize that one technology does not work for all our customers," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. "Our electrification strategy and plans include hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles to best meet our global customers' needs. Leveraging our global platforms is also central to this strategy and allows us to build on our strong product line-up in the most customer-driven, affordable way."