Ford invests $4.5 billion in electrified vehicle solutions

Ford has pledged $4.5 billion to its electrified vehicle strategy by 2020, including its new Focus Electric which delivers 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes, with a projected 100-mile range.

The Focus Electric will provide customers with a number of smart features including: a SmartGauge with EcoGuide LCD Instrument Cluster, which offers a multitude of customisable displays that can help the driver see real-time EV power usage to help maximise vehicle efficiency; a Brake Coach that coaches the driver on how to use smooth braking to maximise the energy captured through the Regenerative Braking System - the more energy a driver captures through braking, the more energy is returned to the vehicle’s battery; and a Fun-to-drive character, with agile steering and handling engineered into the vehicle to give drivers a more connected feel to the road.

The company plans to add 13 new electrified vehicles to its product portfolio by 2020; with more than 40 per cent of Ford’s nameplates globally expected to be electrified by the decade’s end.

In addition to Ford’s shift to add electrified vehicle solutions, it is changing its product development process to support the shift.

Raj Nair, executive vice president of product development, said: “The challenge going forward isn’t who provides the most technology in a vehicle but who best organises that technology in a way that most excites and delights people.

“By observing consumers, we can better understand which features and strengths users truly use and value and create even better experiences for them going forward.”

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