CHICAGO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Ford Motor will expand production of new battery-electric vehicles through 2023 and make its first autonomous vehicles (AV) in 2021, the U.S. auto maker announced on Wednesday.
"We've taken a fresh look at the growth rates of electrified vehicles (EV) and know we need to protect additional production capacity given our accelerated plans for fully electric vehicles," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president in charge of global operations.
Through 2023, Ford will invest more than 850 million U.S. dollars in its Flat Rock assembly plant in Michigan state to produce the next generation EV. These vehicles will follow the all-electric performance SUV coming in 2020 from Ford's plant in Cuautitlan, Mexico.
Ford also announced it will produce its first autonomous vehicles at a new manufacturing center in Michigan.
Production of the hybrid vehicles with self-driving technology and unique interiors will begin in 2021 for development in commercial services to move people and goods.
"As we ramp up AV production, this plan allows us to adjust our investment spending to accommodate the pace of growth of this exciting new technology," said Hinrichs.
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