A Super Duty Hybrid in the Works as Production Expands to Canada
While announcing a new Super Duty plant, Ford mentioned bringing “multi-energy technology to the next generation of Super Duty trucks.” Yep, we’re getting a Super Duty hybrid.
The F-Series Super Duty lineup is one of the most popular and most profitable in the entire Ford vehicle portfolio. Today the Super Duty trucks are assembled at Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant. Both of which are currently running at full capacity. To keep up with demand Ford has announced that they will begin to assemble their heavy duty trucks outside of the United States. However, production will remain in North America. Up to 100,000 Super Duty trucks will be assembled at Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada beginning in 2026. The move will also allow Ford to introduce a electrification to the next generation of Super Duty trucks. Yep, a Super Duty hybrid. From the press release —
It also paves the way to bring multi-energy technology to the next generation of Super Duty trucks, giving customers more freedom of choice and supporting Ford’s electrification plans.
Ford currently offers two hybird trucks, the Maverick and F-150 PowerBoost. In the PowerBoost, Ford installs an electric motor into the transmission bell housing — taking the place of the torque converter — which boosts horsepower and torque while improving fuel efficiency.
“Super Duty is a vital tool for businesses and people around the world and, even with our Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant running flat out, we can’t meet the demand. This move benefits our customers and supercharges our Ford Pro commercial business,” said Jim Farley, Ford President and CEO. Farley also touched on the electrification portion of the announcement as he stated: “At the same time, we look forward to introducing three-row electric utility vehicles, leveraging our experience in three-row utility vehicles and our learnings as America’s No. 2 electric vehicle brand to deliver fantastic, profitable vehicles.”
Oakville Assembly Complex
In total, Ford is planning to invest $3 billion to expand Super Duty production. $2.3 billion of that will go towards installing assembly and integrated stamping operations at Oakville Assembly Complex. The expansion of heavy duty truck assembly will secure 1,800 jobs at Oakville. That is 400 more than would have been needed for production of a three-row electric vehicle alone. The increase in production is also expected to add 150 jobs at Windsor Engine Complex, which will manufacture more V8 engines for Super Duty.
U.S. Investments
While the headline news is the expansion of assembly into Canada, there are significant investments being made in the U.S. as well. Sharonville Transmission Plant in Ohio will get a $24 million investment and additional overtime. Rawsonville Components Plant in Michigan will see a $1 million investment and roughly 20 new jobs. Sterling Axle Plant in Michigan will gain 50 new jobs. “This investment will benefit Ford, our employees in Canada and the U.S., and especially our customers who want and need Super Duty for their lives and livelihoods,” said Kumar Galhotra Ford Chief Operating Officer.
Super Duty Demand
In the first half of 2024 Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant have already produced more than 200,000 Super Duty trucks. However, even at that pace, there is still more demand for the recently redesigned heavy duty trucks. While some may not like the fact that some of these trucks will now be assembled outside of the U.S. we are all happy to see Ford taking the steps needed to get more of these sought after trucks into the hands of the consumers.
Images: Ford
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