On Monday, Ford announced plans to invest $1.3 billion to upgrade its Oakville, Ontario manufacturing plant, where the company currently produces the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus models. The facility is set to be retooled for electric vehicle (EV) production, with the aim to begin manufacturing EVs in 2025.
The investment will enable the plant to build multiple EV models, with a focus on crossover and sport utility vehicles. The Oakville facility will be Ford’s first plant in North America dedicated solely to the production of EVs.
In addition to the $1.3 billion investment, Ford has also committed to supporting the development of EV infrastructure in Ontario, including working with the government to expand charging networks and providing training for EV technicians.
According to Ford, the decision to retool the Oakville plant for EV production is part of the company’s broader strategy to invest $22 billion in electrification efforts through 2025. This investment will include the development of new EV models and the electrification of existing models across the company’s portfolio.
The move to produce EVs in Oakville has been welcomed by Canadian officials, who see the investment as a significant boost for the region’s economy and a step towards a greener, more sustainable future.
Ford’s investment in the Oakville plant is expected to create approximately 3,000 new jobs in the region, as well as supporting a range of supply chain and service industries.
