I asked Ford Europe’s design director, Amco Rienaert, why Ford used VW’s awful controls on both the Explorer and Capri, and he told me that Ford was working with partners to improve the slider response. (but didn’t tell me how), and then said, “We’ve tried to improve it a little bit – and I think we have – but at the same time, it’s the way it is.” is. VW was a supplier of certain parts and we had to make that choice at the time.”
That’s a shame, because these decisions, made on balance sheets and in conference rooms, can ruin a perfectly good car. And in the case of the Explorer, this situation is even worse because it’s a great EV, quiet on the road, has great range, and has a unique and attractive look.
Provided by Ford
I understand that project delays mean the Explorer and Capri were a missed opportunity and a potentially better competitor option came along at just the wrong time for Ford, but it’s more about the range than anything else. This is due to an emphasis on distance and an attempt to cut corners in development. But that gamble didn’t pay off very well. And things get even more difficult when you try to get away with charging nearly £54,000 (about $68,500) for a top-of-the-line model.
I’m sure Jim Farley is a smart guy who looked at the Explorer and Capri, and then went back to Xiaomi and realized there were better ways for Ford to tackle EVs than by dressing up a rival’s platform. are. However, there is also the UK’s zero-emission vehicle mandate, which requires at least a quarter of new cars sold by UK manufacturers to be emissions-free by 2025. Ford needs to sell more EVs and quickly. This is a difficult circle to make into a square.
We know Ford is focused on hybrids right now, but looking at the success of the F-150 Lightning and Mach-E, and all the elements to be celebrated in the EU-only Explorer, we think the company has a lot to offer in 2025. The shift to full EV will likely be further promoted. Make it Ford-made, make it accessible to everyone, and you definitely can’t lose.
