Inside Ford's All-Electric Facility and Fleet in Merseyside

Ford has committed US$155m to its Halewood Plant in Merseyside, UK, signalling a major boost in the company's transition towards electric vehicle production.
This investment not only increases the plant's capacity by 70% but also positions it as a pivotal hub for electric vehicle component manufacturing.
As part of this initiative, Halewood has begun producing electric drive units for Ford's all-electric models, the Puma Gen-E and E-Transit Custom, which are among the UK's bestselling vehicles.
Lee Meyers, the Halewood Plant Manager, says: “The start of electric drive unit production at Halewood is a proud moment for us.
“We're not only embracing an exciting technological transformation but also contributing to the UK's electric future while investing in our team and community.
"This plant, our people and the region have a bright future as part of Ford's electrification journey."
Tim Slatter, Chairman of Ford UK, believes this is a significant moment for the company. “This is an all-important next step for Ford towards having nine Electric Vehicles on sale within two years,” he says.
“Our UK workforce is playing a major role in Ford’s all-electric future, demonstrated by Halewood’s pivot to a new zero-emission powertrain, and E:PriME’s innovation at Dunton in finalizing the production processes.”
The total investment earmarked for Halewood's transformation is nearly US$472m, illustrating Ford's commitment to spearhead EV manufacturing in the UK.
Halewood's role in Ford's European sustainability strategy
Originally a facility focused on transmissions for internal combustion engines, the Halewood Plant is now central to Ford's assembly of electric vehicle power units.
This shift is a significant deviation from its past operations but aligns perfectly with Ford's future goals.
In 2023, the plant received an initial boost of US$285m to manufacture 250,000 power units annually by 2024. Subsequently, its capacity was further enhanced to 420,000 units annually—a 70% increase.
By 2026, Ford plans to have 600,000 electric vehicles on the roads annually in Europe, with 70% of these vehicles powered by technology produced at Halewood.
Aiming at a global annual EV production goal of two million vehicles by 2026, Ford is on track with its ambitious targets, thanks to substantial investments like those at Halewood.
Kieran Cahill, Ford's European Industrial Operations Vice President, says: “Ford is a global American brand, woven into the fabric of Europe for more than 100 years and a major employer here at Halewood for almost 60 years.
"Our vision in Europe is to build a thriving business, by extending leadership in commercial vehicles and through the electrification of our car range. Halewood is playing a critical part as our first in-house investment in EV component manufacturing in Europe.”
Upskilling employees in preparation for a sustainable future
A crucial element of Halewood's transformation is the upskilling of its workforce.
The investment has not only safeguarded 500 jobs but has also involved apprentices and engineers in innovative ventures at Ford's E:PriME centre in Essex.
This collaboration ensures that knowledge and expertise from the centre significantly benefits the Halewood facility's new direction.
Moreover, Ford's pursuit of carbon neutrality by 2035 in Europe is underscored by initiatives at Halewood.
The installation of solar panels, replacement of diesel-powered locomotives with electric ones and introduction of electric vehicle charging stations are measures moving Ford towards its green goals.
The shift to electric component production at Halewood is not just a matter of adopting new technologies but also about reshaping the industrial environment to foster sustainable practices.
With the backdrop of global shifts towards sustainability, Ford's strategy exemplifies how traditional manufacturing can pivot towards eco-friendly solutions effectively.
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