WESTLAND, Mich. –– Ford has been driving ideas of transportation in a new direction as of late and continues to release updates concerning its Ford Smart Mobility Plan. The plan lays out Ford's strategy for shifting from the current model of vehicle development and transportation to one of electrified vehicle solutions in an effort to provide more eco-friendly and efficient transportation to its customers.
The latest news says Ford will invest $4.5 billion in electrified vehicle and customer experience solutions by 2020. Ford expects to have added 13 new EVs to its fleet, as well as have 40% of its nameplates globally electrified by the end of the decade.
The first of what will be many new implementations will be the all-new Ford Focus Electric, debuting next year with all-new DC fast-charge capability. The next Focus Electric will be able to charge to 80% in 30 minutes and offer drivers a range of 100 miles.
According to Ford, other perks of the new Focus Electric will include:
- SmartGauge with EcoGuide LCD Instrument Cluster will provide various customizable displays to help drivers observe "real-time EV power usage to help maximize vehicle efficiency."
- Brake Coach will teach drivers to brake more steadily to "maximize the energy captured through the Regenerative Braking System. The more energy a driver captures through braking, the more energy is returned to the vehicle’s battery."
- An all around more enjoyable driving experience through "agile steering and handling engineered into the vehicle to give drivers a more connected feel to the road."
Ford will invest $4.5 billion in electrified vehicle and customer experience solutions as the company moves away from a vehicle development strategy centered around vehicle features and towards a process focused on customer experience, with help from social scientists.
“The challenge going forward isn’t who provides the most technology in a vehicle but who best organizes that technology in a way that most excites and delights people,” said Raj Nair, executive vice president, Product Development. “By observing consumers, we can better understand which features and strengths users truly use and value and create even better experiences for them going forward.”
Ford says its team of social scientists has spent three years and over 4,000 hours "with thousands of vehicle users in more than 25 cities worldwide, taking 80,000 photos, nearly 3,000 hours of video and more than 8,000 pages of field notes." It's just another signal Ford is at the forefront of the automotive-transportation restructuring––including eBikes––occurring at a rapid pace. Expect to see a number of new EVs in our dealership showroom in the next few years.
North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!
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