Ford updates hybrid, electric vehicle production plans: What it means for BlueOval City

Neil Strebig, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Updated ·3 min read
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Looks like the assembly line at BlueOval City is beginning to take shape.

On Thursday, auto manufacturer Ford announced equipment installation is underway at its Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center in Stanton. The company plans to begin delivering its next generation electric truck model via the vehicle center in 2026, according to a news release.

Additionally, construction continues at Ford and SK On's joint venture BlueOval SK battery plants in Stanton and Kentucky.

"As the number two electric vehicle brand in the U.S. for the past two years, we are committed to scaling aprofitable electric vehicle business, using capital wisely and bringing to market the right gas, hybrid and fully electric vehicles at the right time,” Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said in a statement.

The all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning was one of the vehicles on display at the 2022 Memphis International Auto Show. Ford's next generation electric truck will be produced at BlueOval City in Tennessee.
The all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning was one of the vehicles on display at the 2022 Memphis International Auto Show. Ford's next generation electric truck will be produced at BlueOval City in Tennessee.

Thursday's announcement marked a renewed commitment from the auto manufacturer toward both its electric vehicle production and programs, along with its hybrid vehicle goals.

Ford is looking to provide hybrid powertrains across its entire North American Ford Blue lineup by the end of the decade. This shift comes after the company posted an 86% increase in electric vehicle sales in first quarter of 2024 compared to 2023. Ford also saw a 42% increase in hybrid sales during the same span.

"Our breakthrough, next-generation EVs will be new from the ground up and fully software enabled, with ever-improving digital experiences and a multitude of potential services," Farley said.

What's new at BlueOval City in Tennessee?

Thursday's announcement comes a few months after Ford's investment in its electric vehicle strategy was being questioned.

According to the news release, BlueOval City's campus and the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center assembly plant are both on track. The equipment installation also includes the addition of a paint shop and 4,000 tons of stamping equipment for sheet metal stamping for the (still unannounced) next-generation electric truck model.

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An update was also provided for the Ford Tennessee Discovery Center in Brownsville. The center, which has not yet opened, will be used as an information resource where potential employees and staff recruits can speak with Ford representatives. Additionally, a virtual reality simulation of how advanced manufacturing at BlueOval City works will be available for community members.

The plant's management team will include talent from Tesla, Amazon, Meta, Toyota and FedEx, according to the news release.

In March, Ford dealers and the Ford Fund announced a $2 million investment in scholarship and training programs for auto technicians. Memphis was among the regions where scholarship funding would be awarded.

The $5.6 billion BlueOval City campus is located in Stanton and includes the BlueOval SK battery plant, which will provide the EV batteries for Ford and Lincoln vehicle models, and Ford's Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center, which will help build out its next-generation electric truck.

Approximately 2,500 of the 5,800 BlueOval City staff will work at BlueOval SK. The remaining 3,300 will work at the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center.

What other EV investments is Ford making?

Thursday's announcement also included updates outside the West Tennessee region.

Ford plans on expanding its Avon Lake assembly plant in Ohio. The expansion will allow the automaker to produce an all-new electric vehicle on site beginning sometime in the mid-decade.

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The company also doubled down on its commitment to the Oakville assembly plant in Ontario, Canada. Ford is moving its model launch back, and is now planning to have three new electric vehicles produced there in 2027 not 2025.

The company also has a team in California working on a new affordable electric vehicle platform. The team includes personnel from Auto Motive Power; Ford acquired the electric vehicle energy management startup in November 2023. No further information was provided on when the program might launch.

Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X:@neilStrebig.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ford updates hybrid, EV production plans: What it means in Tennessee