Rep Power: 594

Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it will produce an all-electric vehicle based on a redesigned Ford Focus at its Wayne Assembly Plant, beginning in 2011.

The Dearborn automaker first announced plans to manufacture a battery-powered car at the Detroit auto show in January, but did not reveal details of the vehicle or say where it would be made.

“Thank you for choosing Michigan!” Gov. Jennifer Granholm told Ford executives at an event announcing the new vehicle, as well as a $550-million investment by Ford to design the new Focus and retool its Wayne factory complex to produce both the gasoline-powered and electric version of the vehicle.

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“It is a balm for our soul in tough times.”

The automaker said it plans to produce 2 million vehicles annually worldwide on the new compact car platform.

Production of the gasoline-powered model is to begin late next year in Wayne.



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