Ford is expanding its electric car presence in China with plans to release two new models in the country. The first of the two cars will be released to the market next year. Ford confirmed its electric car roadmap for China on Thursday with the adoption of the Mondeo Energi plug-in hybrid sedan.
The electric vehicle will hit the market in early 2018. The car will be manufactured locally in China through the Changan Ford joint venture.
.@Ford will launch a plug-in car in China next year. Most of its lineup there will be #EV or #hybrid by 2025https://t.co/ovM2aPmgOg pic.twitter.com/KWvrueQum0
— Autoblog (@therealautoblog) April 6, 2017
Aside from China, Ford is also planning to launch an all-electric small SUV lineup in Europe and North America. The automaker plans to roll out this new series within the next five years. This upcoming vehicle is slated to be constructed at Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant.
As for the Ford Mondeo Energi, the car has an electric drive range of up to 31 miles. This allows users to drive the car on battery power within the city, and use the gas engine for longer trips. Ford claims that a fully electric SUV will boast an estimated drive range of up to 280 miles.
In a statement acquired by Detroit News, Ford president and chief executive officer Mark Fields said, "We are prioritizing our electrification efforts in China to reflect its importance as a global electrified vehicle market and to make lives better, simpler and more cost-effective for Chinese consumers."
Aside from releasing two electric vehicles in China, Ford is also looking to release hybrids, plug-ins, and fully battery-powered cars by 2025. Ford claims that by 2025, 70 percent of its brand will offer electric powertrains, and it will include cars that were developed and manufactured by its joint venture in China.
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