Ford pumps billions into electric cars for China

US auto giant Ford has revealed an $11 billion investment in electric cars.

The figure represents a near trebling of the company's previously announced commitment to electric and new energy vehicles.

File photo shows a Ford 4s store in China. [Photo: VCG]

It's a global investment for Ford, which will see it launch 40 models with new engine technology by 2022.

Even though the investment is a worldwide one, it's clear which country has inspired Ford's move.

Automakers from around the planet have been revealing a series of new electric models inspired by China's transition to a clean energy economy, and in that sense Ford is just following where other giants such as VW, Toyota and PSA have already been in recent weeks.

Nevertheless, the news comes at a turbulent time for Ford in China.

It was reported last July that the company had resorted to employing 'smell assessors' in the Country to help combat falling sales.

The extreme measure came after three successive quarters of decline for Ford in China.

Apparently, in Western countries, many people find the smell of a new car to be very appealing.

However, the appeal of a new car smell isn't universal, and Ford is worried that its models smell too much for Chinese consumers.

As a result, they've employed 18 'golden noses' in China to try and sniff-out what's causing the odour, and how to make it more appealing.