The Nightmare launch of the Electric Explorer shows everything Ford does right and wrong when it comes to electric vehicles

I asked Amko Leenart, Ford of Europe’s design director, why Ford used VW’s woeful controls in both the Explorer and Capri, and he told me that Ford worked with a partner to improve the sliders’ response (but he didn’t tell me anything). how), then admitted that “we tried to improve it a little bit—and I think we did—but at the same time, it is what it is. “VW is our supplier for certain parts and at that time we had to make that decision.”

It’s a shame, because these decisions, made on balance sheets and in meeting rooms, can end up with cars in perfect condition. And in the case of the Explorer this is aggravated because it is a good electric vehicle, it is silent on the road, it has good autonomy and a distinctive and winning exterior.

Courtesy of Ford

I understand that the project delays mean that the Explorer and Capri missed their window of opportunity and that potentially better options from the competition arrived at just the wrong time for Ford, but focusing on autonomy above all else and trying to take shortcuts in the development. This time, the bet didn’t pay off. And then, trying to get away with charging almost £54,000 (about $68,500) for the top-of-the-range model, things get even tougher.

Jim Farley is a smart man, and I’m sure he looked at the Explorer and the Capri, and then back at his Xiaomi, and realized there’s a better way for Ford to tackle electric vehicles than by disguising its rivals’ platforms. . But then there’s the UK’s zero-emission vehicle mandate, which requires that at least by 2025 a quarter of new cars Sold by UK manufacturers produce no emissions. Ford needs to sell more electric vehicles, and fast. This is a difficult circle to square.

I know Ford is focused on hybrids right now, but looking at the successes of the F-150 Lightning and Mach-E, and all the elements that will be celebrated in the EU-exclusive Explorer, I hope we see a lot more full EV action by the company in 2025. Just make it made by Ford and accessible to everyone, then you surely can’t lose.