Ford Motors has announced it will be introducing electrified vehicles 25% faster than previously planned.  It will be investing $135 million in the design, engineering, and production of key components, including advances battery systems for its next generation hybrid electric vehicles.  It is dedicating a 285,000 square foot R&D lab in Dearborn to focus almost entirely on hybrids.  The goal is to reduce hybrid vehicle cost by 30%.  "We know what it takes to build world-class hybrids and are building on that expertise," said Kevin Layden, Director, at Ford Electrification Programs and Engineering.