America’s second-largest automaker Ford officially reopened its Cologne Electric Vehicle Center on Monday.
According to the press release, the German facility will serve as the company’s hi-tech production plant for next-gen electric passenger vehicles in the European market.
About the Cologne EV Center
Ford renovated the “historic” Niehl, Cologne facility under its $2 billion, its largest fund allocation to date at the 125-hectare site founded in 1930.
The major investment demonstrates the legacy automaker’s confidence in both Germany’s skilled production talent and Europe’s future in vehicle production.
“The Electric Vehicle Center represents a fresh start and is the largest investment in the company’s history at the Ford plant in Cologne. This is good news for Cologne, for the auto industry in Germany, for e-mobility and for the new era.”
Federal Chancellor, Olaf Scholz
Ford indicated that the upgraded plant would have a “brand-new production line, battery assembly, and state-of-the-art tooling and automation.” All these elements are critical for the automaker to hit its annual production target of over 250,000 electric cars once fully operational.
The Cologne EV Center will also aid the company’s wider plan of producing over two million EVs per year by the end of 2026.
In addition, it will be Ford’s first worldwide operating carbon-neutral assembly facility, supporting the company’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2035 across its entire European network of facilities, logistics, and direct suppliers.
Simply put, Ford will only use 100% certified renewable electricity and biomethane for the plant’s electricity and natural gas consumption.
“Opening the Cologne EV Center is the start of a new generation of clean manufacturing and electric vehicles in Europe. This facility will now be one of the most efficient and environmentally responsible plants in the entire industry. I am thrilled to continue working toward a zero emissions future for our children and grandchildren.”
Bill Ford, Executive Chair
Which model would be the first to undergo production at the Cologne EV Center?
Ford plans to initially bring the recently introduced all-electric Ford Explorer into the Cologne plant’s production line. Notably, it is the automaker’s fourth EV worldwide, sitting behind the Mustang Mach-E, E-Transit, and F-150 Lightning.
Ford also hinted that the second model to enter production at the Cologne EV Center would be an all-electric sports crossover.
The facility would perfectly support the production of Ford’s next-gen models as it will apparently offer digital advancements integrating machines, vehicles, and employees. In addition, the automaker stated that it would employ self-learning machines, autonomous transport systems, and real-time data management to enhance production process efficiency.
Apart from that, it will have new cognitive and collaborative robots and augmented reality solutions to support human workers.
See Also:
- Ford teases the impending launch of a new electric vehicle in Europe
- Ford to unveil its new EV model that will use a VW-developed platform on March 21
- Ford plans layoffs to focus on electrification, incites unions in Europe
- Ford bids farewell to an ICE staple and teases next-gen EV projects
- Ford loses almost $60,000 for each EV sold
All that said, Ford will certainly have a significant advancement in the electric vehicle production industry in the European market. It will aid the company’s sales, boosting profitability for the coming quarters.
