Ford will spend $1 billion to revamp its factory in Cologne, Germany, and make it a base for the production of zero local emission cars using Volkswagen's mechanical framework, said Stuart Rowley, president of Ford of Europe, during an online news conference Wednesday.

The new electric car is to reach the market in mid-2023 and could be followed by a second one there in the future. 

The agreement lets Ford take advantage of Volkswagen's massive investment in electric cars as the industry shifts toward zero-local emissions vehicles.

The Volkswagen framework uses standard mechanical underpinnings such as the battery, wheels, and axles that can be adjusted to manufacture different vehicle models. 

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The moves are part of Ford's push to offer fully electric or plug-in gas-electric versions of all passenger vehicles in Europe by 2024, with all European passenger vehicles going to fully electric by 2030. The company also predicted that two-thirds of its European commercial vehicle sales will be electric or plug-in hybrids by 2030. 

"We are going all-in on electric vehicles," Rowley said. 

Carmakers in Europe must sell more electrics to meet new, lower limits on emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming. The new limit, which took effect at the start of the year, is part of the European Union's efforts to comply with the 2015 Paris agreement on global warming. If manufacturers don't hold fleet average emissions below the limit, they face heavy fines. Rowley said Ford was in a position to avoid the fines going forward. 

The company said commercial vehicles are the key to growth and profitability in Europe, with new products and services through its alliance with Volkswagen and Ford's Otosan joint venture in Turkey.

The investment, to be made through 2025, is among the most significant Ford has made in more than a generation and "underlines our commitment to Europe and a modern future," Rowley.

Ford said the investment in the Cologne plant, which employs just over 4,000 workers, comes after its European operations returned to a profit in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The investment is part of Ford's goal of spending at least $22 billion on electric vehicles from 2016-2025. 

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Ford has launched a demonstration project for automated valet parking using its connected Escape test vehicles. Ford has begun demonstrating first US infrastructure-based solution for highly automated valet parking where the vehicle will park itself inside a parking garage.

The demonstration project has been launched in partnership with real estate firm Bedrock and tech firm Bosch.

Ford is using its connected Escape test vehicles that can drive and park themselves inside Bedrock’s Assembly Garage in Detroit. The connected test vehicles operate in a highly automated fashion by vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication with Bosch’s intelligent parking infrastructure. The infrastructure sensors recognize and localize the vehicle to guide its parking activity, including the ability to help avoid pedestrians and other hazards. If the infrastructure senses something in the vehicle’s path, it can stop the vehicle immediately.

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After pulling up to a garage, a driver can use a smartphone app to send the vehicle into an automated parking activity. They can also use the app to request the return of the vehicle to a designated pick-up area, expediting the parking experience and removing the responsibility of finding the vehicle upon return to the garage. “The automated valet parking project aligns with Ford's vision for the future which includes increasingly automated vehicles that are more aware of their surroundings," says Ken Washington, chief technology officer at Ford.

Ford says automated parking solutions will also help in utilising garage space efficiently. Using the tech, the same amount of space can accommodate up to 20 per cent more vehicles. In addition to simply parking, a vehicle could also drive itself to areas within the garage for specific services such as vehicle charging or a car wash.

During the demonstration project, Ford, Bedrock and Bosch will demonstrate vehicle paths showing how a vehicle would move between service areas and ultimately to a parking spot before the user calls it back to leave the garage.

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G.O. Automobiles Pvt. Ltd. (GO FORD), an authorized dealer for Ford vehicles in Nepal, has open BOOKINGS for Fresh 2021 make Ford EcoSport. Since its launch in 2013 and a major update in 2017 (introduction of Dragon Series Engine), Ford EcoSport has been the game-changer in compact SUV segment delivering Powerful performance, versatility, capability, rugged styling and sophisticated technologies for customers in Nepal.

It has been continuously redefining the segment with new features and technologies. Due to the confidence of customers in Ford EcoSport, the model is sold out for the year 2020 and Booking has been opened for Fresh 2021 make vehicles at the 2020 price. However, this offer will be available for a limited period only.

BS6 emission norm compliant Ford EcoSport stays true to Ford’s fun-to-drive DNA and offers greater choice with powerful, capable & best-in-class petrol and diesel engine options. Ford is committed to offer products & technologies customers want & value. 

The 2021 EcoSport offers Ford’s latest three-cylinder 1.5-liter Ti-VCT petrol engine that delivers segment-best 122 PS of power & 149 Nm of torque. The petrol engine will continue to be paired with both five-speed manual transmission and six-speed automatic transmission.

The line-up will also include a BSVI compliant 1.5l TDCi diesel engine that delivers best-in-class 100 PS power and 215 Nm of Torque. The diesel engine is available with five-speed manual transmission.

Strengthening its value for money credentials, the 2021 Ford EcoSport lineup will offer a standard 3-year or 100,000 KM factory warranty.

The EcoSport will carry forward its bold, imposing stance with aggressive exterior & interior styling. The compact SUV also offers a sun-roof on half of its variants.

The 2021 Ford EcoSport offers unmatched safety, connectivity & convenience with:
•    Up to six airbags for enhanced protection for the driver and as well as passengers
•    Best-in-segment  infotainment system, with the 8-inch touchscreen as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility on top-of-the-line EcoSport variant
•    A 9-inch touchscreen-based, infotainment system & embedded navigation on most variants
•    Unmatched convenience with driver assistance features like automatic HID headlamps, daytime running lights, electrochromic mirror, rain-sensing wipers, push-button start, and scores of other intuitive features

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