Ford Mexico Plant News: Mustang, F-150 To Go Hybrid, Plans To Build 300-Mile Electric SUV In Michigan

Ford Motors revealed seven out of 13 new electric vehicles Tuesday, including hybrid versions of the F-150 pickup and Mustang, along with a fully electric SUV with at least 300 miles and a plug-in hybrid Transit Custom van.

The automaker hope its electric vehicle plans will make its most popular vehicles “more capable, productive and fun to drive,” and that electric cars will exceed gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.

Included in the seven new vehicles revealed were two new electrified police cars and a high-volume autonomous ride hailing vehicle, which will launch in North America in 2021.

The electric SUV with at least 300 miles will launch in 2020 in North America, Europe and Asia. The hybrid version of the popular F-150 pickup will be available in 2020 in North America and the Middle East. The Mustang’s hybrid model will launch in 2020 in North America, and the Transit Custom plug-in hybrid will be available in 2019 in Europe.

Ford Cancels Plant in Mexico, Invests in Michigan

Ford also announced it is cancelling its $1.6 billion plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The carmaker said it is adding 700 new jobs in Michigan and investing $700 million over the next four years by creating the new Manufacturing Innovation Center at its Flat Rock Assembly Plant. The investment will target the production of high-tech electrified and autonomous vehicles, as well as the iconic Mustang and Lincoln Continental, the company said.

The move comes after president-elect Donald Trump strongly criticized American companies, including Ford, for manufacturing its products out of the country.

The company’s new plans are part of a $4.5 billion investment in electrified vehicles by 2020.

“As more and more consumers around the world become interested in electrified vehicles, Ford is committed to being a leader in providing consumers with a broad range of electrified vehicles, services and solutions that make people’s lives better,” said Ford President and CEO Mark Fields. “Our investments and expanding lineup reflect our view that global offerings of electrified vehicles will exceed gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.”

EV Testing

The automaker will begin testing its electric vehicles, including the Transit Custom plug-in hybrid, in Europe this year. Ford is also testing a fleet of 20 Transit Connect hybrid taxi and van prototypes in New York and other major U.S. cities.