Ford announced in the United States, immediately after the release of the first quarter sales report, a change in the 'speed' with which the transformation of the range into 100% electric will be implemented.
Although sales of battery-powered models in the Blue Oval have increased by 86% and those of hybrids by 42% compared to a year ago, the launch of the new large electric SUVs with 3 rows of seats - expected in 2025 - has been postponed to 2027.
Likewise, the debut of a new 100% battery-powered light truck that will be produced in the Blue Oval City electric vehicle complex in Tennessee has been postponed to 2026. Ford will instead offer a hybrid version of all its models by 2030.
"As the number two electric vehicle brand in the United States - said Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford - we are committed to expanding a profitable business by using capital wisely and bringing the right vehicles to market including gasoline and hybrid as well as fully electric at the right time."
“Our revolutionary next-generation electric vehicles will be new from the ground up and fully software-enabled, with continuously improving digital experiences and a multitude of potential services.”
Work also continues at the Avon Lake, Ohio plant where the new electric commercial vehicles for Ford Pro will be manufactured.
As Wardsauto reports, the company expects the new line of vehicles to hit the market by "mid-decade" for be able to give Ford a certain flexibility in managing production and satisfying the market. This is to avoid getting too far ahead of the real demand for commercial electric vehicles. Farley said in late 2023 that the company had also shifted its strategy to electric vehicles to quickly develop a low-cost electric vehicle platform. This is to put battery-powered models on the market with lower prices than previously planned.
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