Dunton Campus Celebrates Electrification Milestone

DUNTON, UK – Dunton’s combined Power Unit Engineering and Build Teams have taken an important step forward in their electrification journey by assembling their first ever localised Electric Power Unit.

The unit was completed just a few days ago and it marks a significant milestone in the continuing modernisation of Dunton facilities, and the re-skilling of personnel.

It also complements the upgrade of Halewood Transmission Plant, which will be capable of producing 420,000 Power Units annually from 2024, as the prototype build facilities mimic build stations in the Plant and act as crucial preparation for the industrialisation.

Andrew Delicata, Chief Engineering Manager, told @Ford: “Using production representative parts sourced from suppliers across Europe, the Dunton Prototype Build team expect to machine and assemble around 120 Power Units working closely with representatives from Halewood team to ensure a flawless quality launch.”

“Some of the Power Units will undergo thorough testing at Dunton’s newly installed and state-of-the-art electric vehicle durability laboratory with additional sign-off being conducted at Merkenich facilities. The majority, however, will be used for in-vehicle evaluation and testing as part of the newly announced all-new E-Transit Courier and Electric Puma programmes.”

Over the coming months, other localised Power Unit derivatives will start to make their way into Dunton Prototype Centre as the company’s electric vehicle roll-out strategy gains momentum.

By 2024, it is anticipated five Power Unit derivatives based on two design architectures will have been built and tested supporting commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle development in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive applications.

“Dunton’s facilities will also play a future on-going role by supporting Halewood production quality control by performing Conformity of Production testing,” added Andy Beard, Manager, Prototype Build & Test Operations, Vehicle Evaluation and Verification, Europe.?