Ford said today that it has selected Compact Power, Inc. (CPI), as its supplier of lithium-ion battery packs for its Electric Ford Focus for the U.S. market.
The Ford Focus Electric battery packs will leverage CPI and parent company LG Chem’s deep expertise in advanced flat format lithium-ion cells and advanced liquid-cooled modules and battery management systems.
CPI, based in Troy, Mich., will begin battery pack assembly for the Ford Focus Electric next year and is finalizing production site selection for the U.S. The lithium-ion cells for the packs will initially be sourced from Korea through LG Chem. LG Chem and CPI will be localizing cell production at their new site in Holland, Mich.
The cells will incorporate LG Chem’s proprietary chemistry and its industry-leading safety-reinforced-separator technology that provides unparalleled safety performance.
Focus Electric will have a targeted range of up to 100 miles per full charge with zero tailpipe emissions. It is one of five electrified vehicles Ford is bringing to market in the U.S. in the next two years. These include the Transit Connect Electric, a small commercial van in 2010; Focus Electric in 2011; two new lithium-ion battery-powered hybrids; and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.
Focus Electric, a full battery electric passenger car, will be produced at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., which will begin producing gasoline versions of the all-new 2011 Focus later this year.
Ford previously announced plans to invest $550 million to transform Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to a modern car plant to build the new Focus and Focus Electric. The plant also will produce a next-generation hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in 2012. All of the vehicles will be built off the company’s new global C-car platform.
South Korea-based LG Chem is building a $300-million, 650,000-square-foot battery plant in Holland that is to start operating in 2012 and could employ as many as 400 people.
The new plant will produce enough battery cells for 50,000 to 200,000 vehicle battery packs, including General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Volt.
