Ford throws out Henry Ford’s assembly line to make low-cost EVs in America

Ford said on Monday that it would invest $ 2 billion to convert the Luisville Assembly plant into a factory, which is capable of creating an affordable EV, starting with a medium -sized pickup truck with a medium -sized pickup truck with a price of $ 2027 launched in the price of $ 2027.

This is not a standard factory upgrade. In order to reduce production costs, Ford has supported the ongoing assembly line launched on its founder Henry Ford 112 years agoThe

The automaker’s willingness to change the century -old system made as a family name reflects the higher awakening law of selling a line of affordable electrical vehicles, which are fast, more efficiently and less, with less part, during the saving of profit margins. And Ford’s Chief EV, Digital, and Design Officer Doug Field mentioned Monday that it is not just about reducing separate expenses, but also a change that will allow automaker to compete with China.

Ford’s CEO describes the new manufacturing system, EVS line and BET billions of investment as a bet.

“There is no guarantee with this project,” he said during an event that survived the Kentucky plant. “We’re doing a lot of new things that I can’t tell you 100% uncertain that it all goes well, it’s a bet. There is a risk.”

It is a bet Farle believes that it is suitable for making. The company’s EV section damaged about $ 1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2025 and its top two EV sales, F -150 thunderstorms and Mustang Mach -E sales are declining.

And it’s a bet that started several years ago with a Score work team In about 500 people in California – Tesla’s former executive Alan Clark led and filled With talent From companies like Tesla, Rivian, Apple and Lucid Motors. Poly Alto and Long Beach, the team, which is divided into a new office, has created a new production system and underlying vehicle platform that will be used in the Luisville factory.

The last result is called Ford “Universal Production System”, which changes its single conductor line into a three-storey assembly tree. Ford also developed a Universal EV platform that is licensed from China’s CATL and will use Lithium Iron Iron Battery by using a tech license produced at Michigan’s new $ 3 billion Bluval Battery Park factory. The factory, which is expected to come online in 2026, will be employed 1,700 hours per hour.

The new EV platform contains larger single-piece aluminum unicusting that uses much less and will allow the vehicle to be united in the front and rear of two branches separately. The third branch is probably the most significant; This is where the structural battery will be combined with seats, consoles and carpeting. The three elements will be combined at the end of the line for the formation of the car.

According to Ford, the end result is an EV that has less than 50% of the cooling hose and the connections with the connections and contains 25% low fastener. The first EVT of the line will be a medium -sized pickup that is the same size as Ford Mavarick, but inside Rumia.

Unlike a Traditional Terminal Assembly Line, where the workers move the wire harness and other parts of the frame, the EV platform will have three kit. This kit is included in all fasteners, scanners and power tools needed for work – and in accurate orientation for use, according to Ford. The system reduces the number of dock stations by 40%.

The EV platform will be produced 15% faster, the company said.

In an interview before the Clark launch, TechCranch told TechCranch, “I certainly didn’t see anything in the public domain that showed something like that.” “And I think a manufacturer will look at it and especially if they have been in the automobile industry for decades, laugh and say, ‘Why do you do this way?’ “

Clark is convinced that once manufacturers see how fast a vehicle can go from beginning to end, others will try to imitate it.

The new format and the EV platform with it will change the factory in Louisville and will change the number of workers employed there. Convert will probably spread through a wide supply chain. In the end, Clark says it will save American jobs.

Ford employed around 2,808 per hour staff Louisville Assembly PlantWhich makes Ford escape and Lincoln Quair. The production of these two vehicles will continue at this plant late this year, before the Ford factory begins to resume and switch to the new EVS family. Finally, the plant will support 2,200 per hour staff – 600 less than today.

A Ford spokesman said auto manufacturers proposed a special retirement encouraging program for workers. If less than 600 workers offer initial retirement proposals, they will be given a role in other facilities.

A “significant” growth in low workers and automation can usually request a protest from United Auto personnel. However, Clark says Ford worked closely with UAW from the beginning and “Buy”.

“The parties are really excited about what the parties are coming because they know we have to be competitive and we have to make money from this project to stay in America,” he later said, “This is not really, you know, Al Chhik.”

Several UAW representative spoke during the ceremony and supported the change, which they said that the assembly workers would reduce the required twist, bend and bending and improve protection.

“The UAW chairperson of the Lewisville Assembly Plant, Brandon Resengger, said at the event,” Eranomix has been fully taken. “” We should have a healthy workforce. You should be able to go home in your families and the pain should not be at the end of the day, which is going to be great. “

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