Ford Begins Mass Production Of New All-Electric Explorer at its EV Assembly Plant In Cologne

Ford has started mass production of the new all-electric Ford Explorer at its electric vehicle (EV) facility in Germany following a $2 billion investment. The electric Ford Explorer is the first vehicle to roll off the line at the Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center.

The new vehicle includes battery electric powertrains for zero-tailpipe emissions while driving – and more than 600 km driving range on a single charge. 

A second EV, a new sports crossover, will be revealed shortly with production in Cologne starting later this year.

The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is supported by self-learning machines and more than 600 new robots that execute welding, cutting, dusting, painting and fusing tasks.

The facility is targeting carbon neutrality across its European production footprint of facilities, logistics and direct suppliers by 2035.

Kieran Cahill, vice president, Manufacturing, Ford in Europe and International Markets Group, says: “To see the Cologne factory founded by Ford in 1930 being transformed into a state-of-the-art electric vehicle production facility is nothing short of amazing. The start of mass production of electric vehicles, with the new all-electric Explorer, marks the beginning of a new era for Ford in Europe.”

Ford employs approximately 34,000 people at its wholly owned facilities and consolidated joint ventures and approximately 57,000 people including unconsolidated businesses across Europe.