Ford Announces New In-house Team Edison For Electric Vehicle Development

Not to be left behind in the electric mobility revolution that has taken over almost every single global (and to a certain extent Indian) manufacturer, Ford, one of the world's largest automakers, have announced a new initiative for electric car development. Christened 'Team Edison' for obvious reasons, the in-house group will mainly act as a developmental think-tank for the American automaker in order to develop, test and improve electric mobility solutions. 'Team Edison' has been tasked to bring about production ready electric cars to the market as quickly and efficiently as possible in the next few years to take on the likes of other OEMs that have rapidly spruced up its electric car programs.

Ford's 'Team Edison' will have an overall EV budget (along with other EV activities that Ford will undertake) of about $4.5 billion in order to develop electric vehicles in the next few years. Although the electric mobility development team will work mainly out of the Detroit/Dearborn headquarters where the Ford Motor Company is based, the team will also have a strong presence in pro EV countries like China and parts of Europe.

According to Sherif Marakby, Ford's head of electrification and autonomous vehicles, 'Team Edison' will also be open to partnerships with various automakers across the world in order to produce and develop electric technologies. Although no timelines have been given in terms of a number of cars or when these electric cars will make it to the market, or even which segment Ford is likely target first, the American automaker has hinted at a new platform for electric cars and SUVs. One of the first body styles to be built on the new platform will be a hybrid pickup truck based on the F150 series along with an all-electric compact SUV that will make its debut in a few years.