Fanuc, the automation specialist and leading industrial robot manufacturer, (represented in the UK by Coventry-based Fanuc UK Ltd) will supply the Cologne plant of Ford in 2022 with around 500 robots to assist in the construction of electric car bodies.

The plant is currently undergoing a transformation into the Ford Cologne Electrification Center, a development and production site for electric vehicles that will serve the entire European market. In 2023, the automotive manufacturer expects its first purely electric high-volume passenger model to roll off the plant’s production line. Ford has also announced that it will only offer battery-electric passenger cars in Europe from 2030.

Ralf Winkelmann, Fanuc Germany managing director, said: “Fanuc has a lot of experience in robotics for e-mobility applications. We are very pleased that we can accompany Ford in this forward-looking transformation."

Headquartered in Japan, Fanuc operates in more than 100 countries worldwide, providing customers from a wide range of industries with exceptionally reliable customer service internationally.

Mr Winkelmann continued: “In the USA, Fanuc has been working closely with Ford for many years and we are now expanding this successful cooperation into Europe."

Shinichi Tanzawa, CEO and president of Fanuc Europe Corporation is also pleased about this progressive collaboration in the field of e-mobility: "Our robots are known for their reliability and durability. Therefore, we are convinced that they will contribute to low downtime and maintenance costs at Ford's Cologne plant.”