FORD Motor Company has a bold vision for the future of electric vehicles. The company plans to invest $50 billion in electric vehicles through 2026 and to produce 2 million electric vehicles annually by the same year.
To achieve this ambition, Ford has partnered with Rockwell Automation, Inc. , the global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, has disclosed that Ford Motor Company has designated Rockwell as its primary controls and solutions provider for vehicle operations at its next three electric vehicle assembly sites.
This strategic collaboration is poised to revolutionize assembly tooling designs and architectures, ultimately accelerating the time-to-market for electric vehicles, thus enabling machine builders to meet the heightened customer demand and ensuring successful, on-time product launches.
This collaboration is significant for a number of reasons. First, it is a testament to Rockwell’s leadership in industrial automation and digital transformation. Second, it underscores Ford’s commitment to accelerating the rollout of EVs to customers. And third, it is a sign of the growing importance of collaboration between automakers and suppliers in the development and manufacturing of EVs.
Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation, highlighted the enduring commitment to producing top-tier electric vehicles for the future and strengthening the longstanding relationship between Rockwell and Ford, which spans over 75 years. Moret stated, “We look forward to forging a close alliance with Ford and its ecosystem over the coming years to expedite business outcomes and bolster the company’s standing as a global leader in the electric vehicle market.”
Jane Barr, Vice President of Global Industry Accounts at Rockwell Automation, expressed their privilege in being a part of Ford’s journey to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles to customers. Barr emphasized that their open-system approach is designed to ensure that electric vehicle production aligns seamlessly with the latest industry standards, regulations, and the ever-evolving expectations of customers.
This collaboration signifies a substantial stride forward for both Rockwell Automation and Ford, aligning their efforts to spearhead the electric vehicle revolution and meet the growing demand for sustainable mobility solutions.
Rockwell’s products and services will be utilized across Ford’s automotive production complexes located in Oakville, Canada; Blue Oval City, Tenn.; and Avon Lake, Ohio. Rockwell’s open-system approach ensures that EV production aligns with the latest industry standards, regulations, and customer expectations.
The collaboration between Ford and Rockwell is expected to have a number of benefits, including; increased speed to market for its electric vehicles; improved efficiency and productivity in the Blue Oval’s assembly operations, reduced costs for the company and its suppliers, enhanced quality and reliability of Ford’s electric cars.
This is positive development for the EV industry–a sign of the growing commitment of automakers and suppliers to working together to accelerate the adoption of EVs. The collaboration between Ford and Rockwell is also expected to create jobs and boost the local economies in the communities where Ford’s EV assembly plants are located.
