Model T of the electric era? Ford announces affordable EV family with 'revolutionary' assembly process
This new strategy will be underpinned by Ford's brand-new 'Universal EV Platform', designed to enable a family of affordable EVs that can be produced at scale.
Instrumental in this plan is what it calls a more efficient assembly process.
'More than a century after the invention of the moving assembly line, Ford combines its industrial know-how with a start-up mentality to create the new Ford Universal EV Production System, radically simplifying vehicle assembly for safety, quality and speed,' Ford said at an event held at its Louisville plant in Kentucky on Tuesday.
To achieve this, Ford transformed the traditional assembly line, which is essentially one long conveyor, into three sub-assemblies which run down their own lines simultaneously before joining together near the end.
Large single-piece aluminium unicasings replace dozens of smaller parts, allowing the front and rear of the vehicle to be assembled separately. The battery forms the basis of the third sub-assembly, to which the seats, consoles and carpeting are assembled.
Parts are moved down the assembly tree in a kit, which includes all the fasteners, scanners and power tools required by the operator, and in the correct orientation for use.
Ford says the new platform reduces parts by 20%, with 25% fewer fasteners and 40% fewer workstations. Assembly time is also said to improve by 15%.
See how it works in the video below:
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Model T of the electric era? Ford announces affordable EV family with 'revolutionary' assembly process
Big, heavy and expensive electric vehicles (EVs) have limited profit potential for Ford, its global CEO Jim Farley has previously stated. For that reason, the company is now shifting its focus towards smaller and more affordable EVs that better align with customer needs and cost structures. This new strategy will be underpinned by Ford's brand-new 'Universal EV Platform', designed to enable a family of affordable EVs that can be produced at scale. Instrumental in this plan is what it calls a more efficient assembly process. 'More than a century after the invention of the moving assembly line, Ford combines its industrial know-how with a start-up mentality to create the new Ford Universal EV Production System, radically simplifying vehicle assembly for safety, quality and speed,' Ford said at an event held at its Louisville plant in Kentucky on Tuesday. To achieve this, Ford transformed the traditional assembly line, which is essentially one long conveyor, into three sub-assemblies which run down their own lines simultaneously before joining together near the end. Large single-piece aluminium unicasings replace dozens of smaller parts, allowing the front and rear of the vehicle to be assembled separately. The battery forms the basis of the third sub-assembly, to which the seats, consoles and carpeting are assembled. Parts are moved down the assembly tree in a kit, which includes all the fasteners, scanners and power tools required by the operator, and in the correct orientation for use. Ford says the new platform reduces parts by 20%, with 25% fewer fasteners and 40% fewer workstations. Assembly time is also said to improve by 15%. See how it works in the video below:
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