Ford and Volkswagen tie up

explorer
The all-electric Ford Explorer can be a great cabin car

Ford Europe has big ambitions for electric cars. By 2030, they will offer only electric vehicles in Europe. The production facility in Cologne is to be converted into something they call a Electrification Center. Production of the Fiesta has already been stopped there - and if I'm not mistaken, production of the Focus should be moved before the end of the year.

 

Another Explorer?

When Ford unveiled the first of its new electric cars this week, they showed us what they're up to. But it didn't just give answers – it also gave more question marks.

One might wonder why Ford is creating a new Explorer, when they already have a model with the same name in their model range - and neither of the two models have anything in common. I am also surprised that the new model should be so close to the Mustang Mach-E in terms of size, features and price. I also can't find any external features of the new Explorer that highlight it compared to the Volkswagen group's own MEB-based models such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq and Audi Q4 e-tron, although it's probably a matter of taste and comfort.
 
I think Ford would have been better served by developing a more popular model that could appeal to Ford's existing markets on the continent and in the UK. Here at home, the new Explorer can probably have a fair chance as a cabin car. We obviously can't get enough of square SUVs with heavy batteries. In addition, many customers will probably choose Ford based on previous brand loyalty and good experiences with Ford dealers.


 

Square steering wheel and adjustable screen

The launch of the new Explorer did not give very much concrete information about the MEB platform, although everyone knows that it is er there and offers range, charging and engine power on par with the best on the market. Also, the platform may receive further improvements as it nears production.
 
What else is worth noting about the new Explorer?
 
A square steering wheel and an adjustable screen. I think many people will welcome the latter. It's actually a good idea. Watch the demo!

Too early to draw conclusions

When I express skepticism about Ford's new electric car, it is primarily because I do not see any significant advantages, compared to both Ford's own Mustang Mach-E and the Volkswagen Group's own MEB models. Surely Ford could have come up with something better than an adjustable screen? But let me also add that the car is hardly fully developed. It may be that Ford has an ace up its sleeve when the cars go into production.


 

You can reserve the new Ford Explorer right now. It is completely without obligation. Your reservation will be an option to be among the first to book when bookings open.

Ford.no


 

A marriage of convenience

The collaboration between Volkswagen and Ford does not involve any ownership in each other's companies. It is about a kind of marriage of convenience that both benefit from. The two companies have collaborated in the past, including on the Ford Galaxy and Volkswagen Sharan models. Today's collaboration was formalized in 2019 and includes several key models.


 

Volkswagen Amarok and Ford Ranger

The new Volkswagen Amarok is now produced together with the Ford Ranger at Fords Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, South Africa. The two brands use their own engines.


 

Ford Connect and Volkswagen Caddy

The new Ford Tourneo Connect (7-seater) is produced together with the Volkswagen Caddy at Volkswagen's production facility in Poznań, Poland. Soon the Transit Connect will also share production with the Volkswagen Caddy. Ford uses its own engines.


 

New Ford models based on MEB

From the second half of this year, production of the new Ford Explorer based on Volkswagen's MEB platform will start at Ford's own plant in Cologne. The first cars will be delivered at the beginning of 2024. During 2024, Ford will also launch another new electric car model, also based on the MEB platform. It is likely that Ford can get batteries supplied from Volkswagen's new production facility PowerCo with production starting in 2025.


 

Volkswagen T7 and Ford Transit Custom

From 7, the new Volkswagen Transporter T2024 will be produced at Ford's Otosan factory in Turkey together with the Ford Transit Custom. It is not known whether the Transporter will continue to use the Volkswagen Group's own engines or the same as the Transit Custom, which includes electric and hybrid drivetrains.


 

See

Ford MEB
Mustang Mach-E's little brother
explorer
Ford Mustang Mach-e waiting for electricity
explorer
Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid

 

Terje Bjørnstad. Blog administrator, hobby photographer and car enthusiast.

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