American legacy automaker Ford has just kicked off the mass production of its Explorer electric SUV at its electric vehicle assembly factory in Cologne, Germany.
First Explorer EV rolls off the production line in Cologne plant
According to the press release, the Ford Explorer EV was the first model to come off the production line in the new Cologne Electric Vehicle Center.
It signifies a major advancement in Ford’s Model e division and marks a new era in one of the world’s most iconic automakers.
“To see the Cologne factory founded by Ford in 1930 being transformed into a state-of-the-art electric vehicle production facility is nothing short of amazing. The start of mass production of electric vehicles, with the new all-electric Explorer, marks the beginning of a new era for Ford in Europe.”
Kieran Cahill, Ford’s Europe and IMG Industrial Operations VP
Excitingly, Ford also plans to introduce a new sports crossover as the second model to undergo production at the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center by late 2024.
$2 billion investment transforms historic plant into EV hub
Ford’s astounding $2 billion investment in the historic Cologne factory paved the way for the mass production of the Explorer EV.
The investment funded the retooling of the factory to handle electric vehicle production, basically transforming it into an EV manufacturing hub.
For instance, electric vehicle production requires more innovative machinery and processes than gas-powered cars. According to the press release, the factory employs “cutting-edge AI and a symphony of hundreds of carefully choreographed state-of-the-art robots” to produce high-quality Ford EVs in Europe.
“The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is supported by self-learning machines and more than 600 new robots that execute welding, cutting, dusting, painting and fusing tasks, in a complex ballet to ensure precision, efficiency and quality.”
Ford
These innovative upgrades will enable Ford to produce the Explorer EV and probably more electric vehicle models in the future, including the yet-to-name sports crossover.
Explorer EV boasts impressive range and fast charging tech
Ford’s Explorer EV integrates the legacy brand’s take on German engineering and American philosophy while emphasizing customers’ preferences.
It enables a more than 600-kilometer (373-mile) driving range between charges. It also comes with a wide range of enticing features, such as a 15-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, among others. It has a spacious cabin to attract adventurous drivers.
In 2023, Ford also announced that the new Explorer EV would support fast charging from 10% to 80% in just 25 minutes.
All that said, the new Cologne Electric Vehicle Center will play a significant role in Ford’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by reducing carbon emissions in its business.
