Ford Invests $2 Billion to Revamp Factory, Fathom Electric Pickup Set for Production in 2027

CoinWorld reports:

Ford has announced that the renovation of its Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky is progressing as planned, with the factory expected to be ready for mass production in 2027, starting with the Fathom all-electric mid-size pickup priced below $30,000. This vehicle will also be the first model on Ford's new generation of universal electric vehicle platform.

Prototypes to be Made in 2027

Ford stated that prototype production for the Fathom is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with customer-ready mass production vehicles launching later that year. The company is currently testing production tools and equipment that are close to mass production status before the prototypes roll off the line.

Two years ago, Ford closed this factory and dismantled the traditional assembly line that had been in use for over a century, opting instead to rebuild the entire manufacturing system. The company hopes to create a new generation of electric vehicles that are cheaper to produce and suitable for mass production.

Switching to a Three-Branch Assembly System

This new system was developed by Ford's internal new project team, led by former Tesla executive Alan Clarke. Ford refers to it as the "Universal Production System." Unlike traditional linear assembly, the new approach employs a three-branch assembly structure.

In this system, the front and rear of the vehicle will be assembled on two separate branches. Ford will also use large integrated aluminum castings to reduce the number of components. The third branch will handle the assembly of structural batteries, as well as seats, center consoles, and carpets, with the three parts ultimately merging into a complete vehicle at the end of the production line.

Goal is to Increase Speed and Reduce Costs

Ford stated that, based on net efficiency, the assembly speed of the Fathom will be 15% faster than the vehicles previously produced at the Louisville plant. During the factory renovation, the density of Wi-Fi coverage in the plant is also expected to increase nearly threefold, rising to 1,080 access points to support the high bandwidth and low latency connections required for software quality testing.

For Ford, this renovation is crucial for improving the profitability of its electric vehicle business. The company's previous electric vehicle projects had once dragged down profits, while Chinese automakers and Tesla have already gained a lead in terms of scale sales and profit margins.

Ford also mentioned that some employees have undergone several months of training at the new vehicle project development center in Allen Park, Michigan, in preparation for the implementation of the new production system.

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