by Ford Opens New Electric Vehicle Development Center in California
Ford has launched a new Electric Vehicle Development Center in Long Beach, California. The 250,000-square-foot facility is designed for creating affordable electric vehicles, including a mid-size electric pickup planned for release by 2027.
Infrastructure and Team
The center is equipped with state-of-the-art testing laboratories, a digital visualization room, and workshops. The project is led by Alan Clarke, a former Tesla engineer, who heads a team of 350 specialists. Plans are in place to expand the staff by an additional 100 employees in the future.
“We are committed to defining a new era of electric vehicles,” stated Jolanta Coffey, Ford’s Director of Global New Model Launch.
Simultaneously, the company is closing its design studio in Irvine, offering employees the option to transfer to Long Beach or Dearborn, Michigan. Additional details on Ford’s strategy are expected on August 11th.
This is not Ford’s first experience in Long Beach: from 1930 to 1958, a plant operated here, producing the Model A and other automobiles. The new center could become a key link in the company’s battle for the affordable electric vehicle market, especially against the backdrop of growing competition from Tesla and Asian manufacturers. It is worth noting that the emphasis on “low cost” indicates Ford’s attempt to attract a broader audience that is still hesitant about switching to electric transportation.
