Politics
Ford to invest £230million transforming UK hub into electric car battery plant
FORD is to invest £230million transforming one of its UK hubs into a battery plant for electric cars and vans.
Bosses aim to make 250,000 EV power units a year at Halewood from mid-2024 in a move that could protect 500 jobs and create another 700.
Getty – ContributorFord is to invest £230million transforming one of its UK hubs into a battery plant for electric cars and vans[/caption]
The Merseyside plant will be the car giant’s first all-electric site in Europe which it hopes can be used as a springboard for future vehicles sold there.
Ford’s Europe boss Stuart Rowley said: “This is an important step.
“It strengthens further our ability to deliver 100 per cent of Ford passenger vehicles in Europe being all-electric and two-thirds of our commercial vehicle sales being all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.”
The Government has backed the move which Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng hailed as “further proof” of the UK’s credentials as a centre for high-quality car manufacture.
He said: “Today’s announcement, backed by government funding, is a huge vote of confidence in Britain’s economic future and our plans to ramp up electric vehicle production.”
Ford is one of the UK’s largest exporters.
Overseas sales to 15 countries generate £2.5billion a year.
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