FORD

Ford Explorer EV: the first vehicle to roll off the production line at the Ford Electric Vehicle Center in Cologne

Ford this week began series production of the new all-electric Ford Explorer at its first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) plant in Europe, following a $2 billion investment that transformed a historic factory into the factory of the future.

The electric Ford Explorer is the first vehicle to roll off the production line at Ford's Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, a significant step on the path to producing a new generation of high-quality electric passenger vehicles. A second EV, a new sports crossover, will be presented soon, with production in Cologne starting later this year.

The new all-electric Explorer combines German engineering, American attitude and superior standard equipment, including a battery-electric propulsion system for zero emissions while driving and more than 600 km of range on a single charge.

“Seeing the Cologne plant, founded by Ford in 1930, transformed into a state-of-the-art electric vehicle production plant is amazing. The start of series production of electric vehicles, with the new all-electric Explorer, marks the beginning of a new era for Ford in Europe,” said Kieran Cahill, vice president of Ford European Production and International Markets Group.

The factory of the future...The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is equipped with cutting-edge AI as well as an orchestra of hundreds of carefully choreographed next-generation robots that will bring a new generation of high-quality electric vehicles to Ford customers in Europe. The plant's digital twin monitors and supports production line operators to deliver high quality standards.

The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center has self-learning machines and more than 600 new robots that perform welding, cutting, painting and melting tasks, in a complex balance to ensure precision, efficiency and quality.

A new control center monitors the entire assembly process in real time, down to every part and nut at every workstation. The digital twin of the plant is displayed via a giant touch screen containing all workstations with information about tools, material deliveries, workplace safety and more. With small touch screens, line workers provide more information about the status of their workstations.

“By monitoring and controlling every step of the manufacturing process, Ford will achieve unprecedented levels of quality for our customers,” said René Wolf, General Manager of Production, Ford Werke GmbH.

More sustainable production...The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is one of Ford's most efficient vehicle assembly plants worldwide, with significant savings in emissions, water use and energy consumption.

Ford is working to implement a path to carbon neutrality at the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center. With production underway, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data will be monitored and recorded for independent certification against the latest international standards. Under this strategy, Ford will continually improve carbon efficiency and reduce GHG emissions to a residual level.

In addition to initiatives that reduce emissions, water use and energy consumption, all electricity and natural gas needed to operate the plant comes from certified 100% renewable electricity and biomethane. Ford Motor Company aims to be carbon neutral across its entire European production chain by 2035, including facilities, logistics and direct suppliers.

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