The Louisville meeting plant is scheduled for an in depth retooling beginning later this 12 months to provide a brand new Ford EV mannequin. After the Escape is phased out, Ford will improve the power to introduce an all-new EV.
What new EV will Ford construct in Louisville?
Since 2022, Ford has had the identical three electrical automobiles obtainable within the US. The Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit. Nevertheless, that would change quickly.
In accordance with Todd Dunn, president of UAW Native 862, Ford’s Louisville plant will seemingly see some main modifications later this 12 months.
Dunn instructed The Courier Journal that the retooling may take upwards of 10 months. Ford is predicted to start the upgrades in December when the Escape and Lincoln Corsair, that are made on the plant, are phased out.
Though Ford has but to verify the retooling, in accordance with Dunn, the downtime will affect round 2,300 staff on the plant. They’re anticipated to be briefly laid off through the retooling, however Dunn mentioned they may qualify for supplemental unemployment advantages and also will have the ability to draw unemployment.
The upgrades are a part of a 2023 UAW and Ford settlement to make the Louisville plant one in every of three due for a future EV mannequin.
As to which EV, Dunn nonetheless doesn’t know, or when Ford will formally announce it. Since Ford already scrapped plans for a three-row electrical SUV, that’s out.
Ford is planning to launch the primary mannequin on its long-awaited low-cost EV platform, a midsize electrical pickup, in 2027. However that is anticipated to be inbuilt Tennessee. A brand new “digitally superior” electrical van that might be inbuilt Ohio can be due out subsequent 12 months.
So, what mysterious new EV is Ford planning for Louisville? Ford spokesperson Jess Enoch instructed The Courier-Journal final 12 months that the corporate is “dedicated to an all-new electrical car” on the plant however mentioned, “We’ll share particulars nearer to launch.”
The information comes after Ford’s Mustang Mach-E notched its highest first-quarter gross sales since its launch, with 11,607 items offered within the first three months of 2024. F-150 Lightning gross sales, then again, fell 7%.
