Ford Reworks its Explorer Electrification Plans
Ford and its 2021 model year will go down in history as the brand made the biggest automotive news of the year thanks to the introduction of its all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. Now that Ford is ready to have the all-new electric pickups roll off the assembly line, there are other iconic Ford models waiting in the wings for prompt electrification, such as the Ford Explorer. However, rumor has it that Ford is pausing development on the Explorer to better accommodate the Mach-E’s overnight success, as well as the fact that the F-150 Lightning has over 200,000 confirmed reservations.
Automotive News reports that the automaker will delay its all-electric Ford Explorer model, along with the all-electric Lincoln Aviator, for at least 18 months. Internal communications suggest the models will actually go into production in December 2024. It is routine for automakers to reveal models to the press a year prior to their availability, thus solid rumblings of the upcoming electric Ford Explorer should be circling back sometime in 2023.
Make Room for the Mustang Mach-E
Ford initially wanted to assemble the electric Explorer at the same assembly plant in Mexico where the automaker builds the Mustang Mach-E. However, given that the electric midsize crossover is such a hit for the brand, Ford is opting to devote that assembly plant to expand its overall Mach-E output. Ford hasn’t mentioned where they’d relocate the production of the Explorer and Aviator models. The automaker expects electric vehicles to make up at least 40 percent of its global sales by 2040, as long as the technology to support electric vehicles grows alongside the models.
Rivals are considerably more ambitious, with General Motors opting for an all-electric lineup by 2035, but Ford’s realistic approach to electrification has paid off so far. European automakers, especially those in the luxury segment such as Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, plan to go all-electric by the end of the decade – 2030.
Electric Icons are Here to Stay
Here’s where Ford stands out from the rather ambitious competition. The company’s strategy lies in bringing electrification to its most iconic nameplates. It’s obvious that the Mustang Mach-E is in a class of its own, borrowing very little from the sports car’s aesthetics, as it enters a completely new segment. That said, Ford’s poignant use of its muscle car’s nameplate has helped the automaker sell so many Mach-E models that it’s impacting factory plans and lineup changes. The F-150 Lightning sticks closely to the original – it would be crazy to alter America’s best-selling truck the same way the Mach-E transformed the Mustang, and the strategy has clearly paid off as Ford just announced prospective buyers have reserved every F-150 Lightning pickup the company can make until about 2025.
If past results are any indication, the upcoming electric Ford Explorer will win the hearts of plenty of car buyers.
Although Ford is no longer taking orders for the F-150 Lightning any longer, you can still experience the best from the brand here at Wayne Akers Ford. Whether you’re looking for conventional thrills behind the wheel of the famed Ford Mustang or looking for new horizons in the all-new Mach-E, Wayne Akers has you covered. Explore the latest Ford inventory and schedule your test drive today. While you’re at it be sure to follow Wayne Akers Ford on social media to stay up to date with all the latest Ford news and offers.
Photo Source/Copyright: Ford