DEARBORN, MI- Ford Motor Co. will invest $135 million in Dearborn to double its battery-testing capabilities by 2013.

The Dearborn-based automaker today announced the investment will go toward the design, engineering and production of key components – including advanced battery systems – for its next-generation hybrid-electric vehicles going into production this year.

“The good news for customers is that they not only have more choice, but they have faster access to Ford’s latest and greatest in fuel-saving technologies and vehicles,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of Powertrain Engineering.

Ford expects the investment to help bring electrified vehicles to market at least 25 percent faster.

The automaker plans to have more than 1,000 engineers dedicated to electrified vehicle development in its newly named Ford Advanced Electrification Center, formerly known as the Advanced Engineering Center.

According to officials, Ford has added about 60 engineers in the last year with plans of adding dozens more.

By 2020, Ford anticipates to have 10 to 25 percent of its global fleet electrified with plug-in or hybrid technology. Of that 2020 lineup, Ford expects hybrids to be 70 percent of the fleet, hybrid-plug-ins to be 20-25 percent and all-electric vehicles to remain a niche market of about 5 percent.

In its 2012 model year lineup, the Dearborn-based automaker offered three hybrid or electric models, including an all-electric Ford Focus. For its 2013 lineup, Ford will add to its electrified portfolio with a plug-in Fusion and the C-Max series – available in plug-in and hybrid versions.

The C-Max vehicles are expected to arrive in dealerships this fall.