The news is out—Ford has scrapped its plans for a three-row electric SUV. What do you think of this decision? Was it the right move?
If they’re not doing a full EV, they should at least make a hybrid. It’s ridiculous to drop the hybrid option for consumers and only leave it for law enforcement.
Zion said:
If they’re not doing a full EV, they should at least make a hybrid. It’s ridiculous to drop the hybrid option for consumers and only leave it for law enforcement.
We really need a three-row hybrid SUV that doesn’t suck.
Zion said:
If they’re not doing a full EV, they should at least make a hybrid. It’s ridiculous to drop the hybrid option for consumers and only leave it for law enforcement.
I would’ve bought the new Explorer if it came in a hybrid option.
Zion said:
If they’re not doing a full EV, they should at least make a hybrid. It’s ridiculous to drop the hybrid option for consumers and only leave it for law enforcement.
Here’s a piece on the decision: Ford scraps all-electric SUV plan, saying drivers want hybrids : NPR
Zion said:
If they’re not doing a full EV, they should at least make a hybrid. It’s ridiculous to drop the hybrid option for consumers and only leave it for law enforcement.
Ford’s arrogance strikes again.
This actually makes sense. Farley said they’re focusing on affordable vehicles, and their push with the Maverick line shows that. Large EV SUVs don’t scale well because of battery costs, weight, and efficiency. The same battery could make multiple hybrids or smaller EVs. Competing in the $100k SUV segment isn’t profitable for them right now.
@Nico
I’m all for hybrids, but only if they’re efficient. The Explorer hybrid was awful compared to the competition. Toyota’s Highlander hybrid gets 35 mpg across the board, while the Explorer hybrid barely managed 25 mpg combined with AWD. Sure, the Explorer hybrid had more power and towing capacity, but they need to improve fuel efficiency.
@Remy
I hear you, but the percentage improvement matters more than the absolute numbers. Going from 15 to 20 mpg is more impactful than 30 to 35 mpg. Plus, hybrids like the Explorer are popular with fleets and police for better idling and city performance.
@Nico
They’re only sold to fleets because consumers didn’t buy them. If I recall, the take rate was around 11%, probably due to poor fuel economy. That’s why they stopped offering it to the public.
Remy said:
@Nico
They’re only sold to fleets because consumers didn’t buy them. If I recall, the take rate was around 11%, probably due to poor fuel economy. That’s why they stopped offering it to the public.
It’s possible. Fleet sales likely maxed out their limited production capacity anyway. Instead of delivering a mediocre product to consumers, it makes sense to focus on fleets where it performs well.
Remy said:
@Nico
They’re only sold to fleets because consumers didn’t buy them. If I recall, the take rate was around 11%, probably due to poor fuel economy. That’s why they stopped offering it to the public.
I’d have bought one if they were reasonably priced and decently equipped. Instead, it was always a stripped-down model with a high price tag.
@Nico
Toyota has a 1:6:90 rule—one EV battery equals six plug-in hybrid batteries or 90 hybrid batteries. It’s a fascinating way to look at resources.
Whit said:
@Nico
Toyota has a 1:6:90 rule—one EV battery equals six plug-in hybrid batteries or 90 hybrid batteries. It’s a fascinating way to look at resources.
That’s wild. Even just 20 miles of EV range would cover 90% of my daily driving.
@Nico
Wait, are they making a Maverick van? That sounds interesting.
Shiloh said:
@Nico
Wait, are they making a Maverick van? That sounds interesting.
Sounds like a new US Transit Connect could happen. They were planning to build it alongside the Maverick and Bronco Sport in Hermosillo, but demand for those models delayed it. They’re also not bringing over the Polish-built VW Caddy version.
@Nico
Battery tech and charging infrastructure just aren’t ready for EVs to be fully mainstream. Once we have solid-state batteries, it’ll be a different story. EVs are great for many use cases now, but not for everyone.
U759 tooling was completed two years ago, and now it’s on hold. Insane.
Avery said:
U759 tooling was completed two years ago, and now it’s on hold. Insane.
I finished my part on this project two years ago. It’s been a strange experience.
Avery said:
U759 tooling was completed two years ago, and now it’s on hold. Insane.
I finished my part on this project two years ago. It’s been a strange experience.
Now P800 has been postponed for 13 months. We just ordered steel for the molds. Crazy.