The automaker further plans to hire more than 50 electric vehicle engineers in Dearborn and Livonia, Michigan, to develop battery packs and electric-drive transaxles for new lithium-ion battery powered hybrids planned for production in 2012.
Ford plans to launch an electric Transit Connect small van in North America this year and electric Ford Focus compact car in 2011. The Focus will be built at its Michigan assembly plant that had produced sport-utility vehicles.
