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Compact Power's lithium ion battery to power 2011 Ford Focus Electric

Ford selected Compact Power Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem, as the supplier of lithium ion battery packs for the 2011 Ford Focus Electric for the U.S. market.

Suzanne Ashe
Suzanne Ashe has been covering technology, gadgets, video games, and cars for several years. In addition to writing features and reviews for magazines and Web sites, she has contributed to daily newspapers.
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Suzanne Ashe
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Ford

Ford Focus Electric production will begin in 2011 at the Michigan Assembly Plant. Ford says the car will have a range of up to 100 miles on a charge, with zero tailpipe emissions. Ford

Ford Motor Company Tuesday announced that Compact Power Inc. (CPI), a subsidiary of LG Chem, will build the lithium ion battery packs for the Ford Focus Electric, which is slated to go on sale in the U.S. in 2011.

"CPI is an emerging leader in the lithium ion battery field and we are pleased to have them as a strategic supplier as we prepare to bring the Ford Focus Electric to market," said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Sustainable Mobility Products and Hybrid programs. "We are moving aggressively with our electrification strategy and our work to help make Michigan a center of excellence for a range of electrified vehicles."

This introduction will help Ford meet its goal of bringing five new electrified vehicles (Transit Connect Electric, Ford Focus Electric, two next-generation hybrid electric vehicles, and a plug-in hybrid electric) to market by 2012.

The lithium ion cells for the packs will initially be sourced through LG Chem's plant in Korea. Next year, LG Chem and CPI will bring cell production to a new site in Holland, Mich.

"We are very excited to be partnering with Ford on their new battery electric-powered Ford Focus," said Prabhakar Patil, CEO of CPI. "It tells us we are on track in developing high-power and high-energy lithium ion batteries that the industry needs as it moves toward the electrification of vehicles that lessen our dependence on foreign oil."

Ford has committed $550 million to transform the Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to a modern car plant to build the new Focus and Focus Electric. The plant will also produce a next-generation hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.