Other News: Ford Halewood begins production of eDrive electric power units
Ford’s Halewood plant has started production of its new eDrive electric power units which will feature in the electric versions of the UK’s best-selling vehicles, the Transit Custom and the Puma.
This achievement follows a £380 million investment – including £30.9 million of governmental support via the Automotive Transformation Fund – to transform Halewood from a traditional transmissions facility into a state-of-the-art electric vehicle component manufacturing plant.
The Halewood facility now has the capacity to produce 420,000 eDrive units annually that will power Ford’s ambitious electrification goals. Halewood’s production capacity will ensure that 70% of Ford electric vehicles sold in Europe, including models such as the E-Transit Custom, the E-Tourneo Custom and the Puma Gen-E, will be powered by UK-manufactured technology.
Kieran Cahill, Ford’s European Industrial Operations Vice-President, highlighted the people behind Halewood’s success: “Ford is a global American brand with deep roots in Europe, and Halewood has been a cornerstone of that legacy for 60 years. It’s not just the state-of-the-art technology or the £380 million transformation that makes Halewood special – it’s the incredible team here. Their skill, dedication, and pride are what power our electrification journey. With Halewood leading the way as our first in-house EV component manufacturing site in Europe, we’re building a thriving future together, with nine electric vehicles on the road in Europe by 2025.”
The new all-electric Puma Gen-E was unveiled at the plant by Lisa Brankin, Managing Director, and the team from the Halewood plant. The electric version of the UK’s best-selling car will be powered by the eDrive built at Halewood and assembled at Ford’s plant in Craiova.
This transformation positions Halewood as Ford’s first in-house electric vehicle component manufacturing plant in Europe, with units set to be distributed across Europe and assembled at Ford Otosan plants in Romania and Turkey. In turn, Halewood and Dagenham will continue to support Ford UK’s annual export value as the company manages the electric transition across its car and van line-up.
Ford’s commitment to electric mobility extends beyond technology to its workforce and local community. This investment secures hundreds of jobs at Halewood, with employees upskilled to support Ford’s electric future. Apprentices and engineers have been trained in advanced electric vehicle technologies through £24 million investment in Dunton, Essex. Here, they participated in prototype development and received training on eDrive assembly, bringing new expertise to Halewood and driving innovation forward.
“The start of eDrive production at Halewood is a proud moment for us,” said Lee Meyers, Halewood Plant Manager. “We’re not only embracing an exciting technological transformation but also contributing to the UK’s electric future while investing in our team and community. This plant, our people, and the region have a bright future as part of Ford’s electrification journey.”
Ford has also prioritised its commitment to the surrounding community. In January this year, Ford Philanthropy, working with its international grant-making partner GlobalGiving, announced a £1 million investment to the end of 2025 to support Halewood and the wider Liverpool city region. It is collaborating with key partners including Torrington Drive Community Association (TDCA), Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and Strawberry Field, and now £160,000 of grant funding will support additional non-profits that are helping to expand access to essential services and education non-profits including Centre 63, Evolving Mindset CIC, Huyton Initiative 4 Youth Activities, Tailored Advice Services in Communities, The First Step Ltd and Vees Place.
