I have been an automotive journalist for more than five years now and, believe it or not, today is the first time I’ve ever been to Detroit. When I was asked to cover an event that would include a tour of an assembly plant, I jumped at the chance. I can feel the same rush of excitement arriving as I did when the event was assigned to me. And perhaps it is more fitting that it is for a domestic brand, Ford.
The history of this city is evident the moment you step into the airport. From the Henry Ford gift shop to my very knowledgeable cab driver and the pictures of the Model T on my hotel room wall.
After a quick breakfast with a very large group of other journalists from all over Canada and the USA, we all hop on some busses and head over to the Michigan Assembly Plant.
The Ford flag flies proud in the front of the building, and a new 500-kilowatt solar panel system will be installed to help generate renewable energy for the production of some of Ford’s new vehicles. Integrated with a 750-kilowatt energy storage facility, the combined systems are expected to result in an energy cost savings of about $160,000 per year!
There will also be ten charging stations on the property that will be used to replenish the battery packs of the electric trucks used to transport parts between the buildings.
Once inside and walking down the halls, I can feel the energy. Walking into the presentation, all we sit in front of the hot-looking, new Ford Focus . This is what the new Ford is all about.
Mark Fields, president of Ford within the Americas, warmly welcomes all of us, and reminds everyone what this building used to be. Ford Motor Company's Michigan Assembly Plant once produced large SUVs.
Just last year, the space was completely barren. When the journalists visited this plant last year, it had been completely gutted and all that was left were tables and chairs for them to sit at.
Times are changing, and today, $550 million dollars later, this plant has been transformed into the world’s first assembly plant to build fuel-efficient gas-powered cars, battery-electric hybrids and plug-in hybrids all under the same roof.
This building will see the production of the all-new, global Ford Focus in four-door and five-door versions, with sales to begin in the New Year. In 2011, the Focus Electric vehicle will go into production, followed by a new hybrid and plug-in hybrid in late 2012.
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| Photo: Lacey Elliott/Auto123.com |
The history of this city is evident the moment you step into the airport. From the Henry Ford gift shop to my very knowledgeable cab driver and the pictures of the Model T on my hotel room wall.
After a quick breakfast with a very large group of other journalists from all over Canada and the USA, we all hop on some busses and head over to the Michigan Assembly Plant.
The Ford flag flies proud in the front of the building, and a new 500-kilowatt solar panel system will be installed to help generate renewable energy for the production of some of Ford’s new vehicles. Integrated with a 750-kilowatt energy storage facility, the combined systems are expected to result in an energy cost savings of about $160,000 per year!
There will also be ten charging stations on the property that will be used to replenish the battery packs of the electric trucks used to transport parts between the buildings.
Once inside and walking down the halls, I can feel the energy. Walking into the presentation, all we sit in front of the hot-looking, new Ford Focus . This is what the new Ford is all about.
Mark Fields, president of Ford within the Americas, warmly welcomes all of us, and reminds everyone what this building used to be. Ford Motor Company's Michigan Assembly Plant once produced large SUVs.
Just last year, the space was completely barren. When the journalists visited this plant last year, it had been completely gutted and all that was left were tables and chairs for them to sit at.
Times are changing, and today, $550 million dollars later, this plant has been transformed into the world’s first assembly plant to build fuel-efficient gas-powered cars, battery-electric hybrids and plug-in hybrids all under the same roof.
This building will see the production of the all-new, global Ford Focus in four-door and five-door versions, with sales to begin in the New Year. In 2011, the Focus Electric vehicle will go into production, followed by a new hybrid and plug-in hybrid in late 2012.
| |
| Photo: Lacey Elliott/Auto123.com |