Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator EVs production delayed to 2024

According to a recent memo issued to Ford’s suppliers, the much-awaited Ford EVs will not be arriving in the market anytime soon. Sourced by Automotive News, the memo puts a break at our expectation around the upcoming electric versions of the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, which were arriving soon, after the F-150 Lightning. 

The report indicates that Ford might not be able to send its EVs into production anytime before December 2024.

The above-mentioned electric vehicles were supposed to go into production sometime around mid-2023 in Mexico at the Cuautitlan factory. However, now it will not be produced there and will be sent into production almost 18 months post the previously announced date. 

The main reason might be due to the increased production of Ford’s super popular Mustang Mach-E. While no direct connection has been found between the increase in the Mustang demand and subsequent production hike, Lisa Drake Ford North America’s COO may have implied this connection. 

According to Lisa Drake, the Cuautitlan factory in Mexico will be dedicated to the increased production of the Mustang Mach-E. They might even end up producing about 2,00,000 Mustangs by 2023, starting their increased output by next year itself. 

Automotive News also informed that Drake quoted that while they had been thinking of building EVs in the Cuautitlan factory, their priority will now be to upscale the production of the Mustang. This is justified considering the huge demand which the Mustang has garnered since its release. Almost 60,000 Mustang Mach-E units have been sold globally in 2021 itself and according to these high numbers, it indicates a higher production. 

While nothing much has been revealed about the tentative launch dates of the two upcoming electric vehicles, we hope to hear some news soon. Till then, stay tuned for more updates!

Also read: Ford aspires to become second-largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the next two years