Today Ford has announced the launch of its new HF35 transmission that will be used by its front-wheel-drive hybrid models.
Today Ford has announced the launch of its new HF35 transmission that will be used by its front-wheel-drive hybrid models. The new transmission also makes Ford the only producer of front-wheel-drive hybrid transmissions in North America.
Ford’s Van Dyke Transmission Plant will add hybrid transmission capacity thanks to a new, flexible assembly line that will build the transmissions for the Ford C-MAX Hybrid, C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, Fusion Hybrid, Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
Ford and its suppliers are investing $220 million to transform to get the Van Dyke plant ready for the new hybrid transmission, the HF35, as well as other fuel-efficient transmissions. The investments are part of a $632 million commitment Ford and its suppliers are making to increase capacity and flexibility at three North American transmission facilities by 2015.
The HF35, which incorporates two electric motors, is the first hybrid transmission to be designed and built by Ford. Previously, hybrid transmission production was handled by a supplier in Japan.
