Ford’s executive chairman is confident that China will lead the electric vehicle revolution.
Speaking to The New York Times, Ford executive chairman William C. Ford Jr. said the carmaker’s plan to introduce 15 electric of plug-in hybrid models in China by 2025 is a sign of its confidence in the market.
“When I think of where EVs are going, it’s clearly the case that China will lead the world in EV development,” Ford Jr. said.
In recent times, the Chinese government has announced a host of measures which it hopes will cement the country’s position as the most prosperous market for electrified vehicles. One of the measures adopted is to offer global automakers enticing financial incentives to sell EVs in the country, all while heavily taxing ICE vehicles with high emissions.
What’s more, China now requires car manufacturers to build a certain number of ‘green’ vehicles or risk losing their right to sell diesel and petrol vehicles in the country.
The likes of Volkswagen, Daimler, and General Motors are joining Ford with unprecedented investments in China. In fact, VW and its Chinese partners intend on launching 25 electrified models in the Chinese market between 2020 and 2025.
Interestingly, Ford has discovered that many Chinese buyers are less concerned than most with the range of electric vehicles as the majority of their driving is done within cities.
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