No, Ford China doing its own vehicle development now…
At the moment, Ford AUS engineering is tied up on T6 project but
body/trim design and development has been transferred to India,
chassis development is probably finished at the end of the year…
It being based on a VW platform sounds like a compliance car. Hopefully its better than the VW version, it at least looks better.
What European buyers bought in 2023.
Five of the top 10 best-selling cars in Europe of 2023 are B-segment subcompacts, one is an A-segment city car, three are C-segment compacts, while the Model Y I believe is considered a D-segment mid-size (at least outside NA). Stellantis models are available in ICE and BEV versions.
Top 10 best-selling cars in Europe of 2023
1. Tesla Model Y (251,604)
2. Dacia Sandero (234,715)
3. VW T-Roc (204,610)
4. Renault Clio (201,604)
5. Peugeot 208 (193,679)
6. Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (188,154)
7. VW Golf (183,716)
8. Toyota Yaris Cross (176,285)
9. Fiat 500 (173,187)
10. Skoda Octavia (160,662)
-Autocar
Before, Ford used to have at least two models in the top 5. The Fiesta and Focus.
Good post, thanks for Hackett’s comments on Mexico.
Even though Explorer EV is a lot smaller than Mach E, I’m still not convinced that this is what Ford’s European buyers actually want, it still feels like a compliance vehicle but maybe that’s the VW underpinnings?
Adding to development cost is all the additional reworking done to change it from its original dull, uninspired beginnings.
The Opel Corsa's styling is simple, but boy does it look light years ahead of the recently discontinued Fiesta.
The Corsa and its crossover alternative, the Mokka are attractive subcompacts.
Again, a smart move from Stellantis to offer the Corsa and Mokka in both ICE and BEV versions.
Why the Mach E is made in Mexico. Plant availability and lower cost of production.
“Ford is building it in Mexico because it had an open factory there and it needed to be overhauled to build an electric vehicle, Hackett said."
-Bloomberg
"Hackett specified that the car’s cost of production will be lower than the revenue gained from its sale (“contribution margin”) right from the beginning. The vehicle line will still have to cover the initial cost of R&D before it becomes “profitable” for the company, but this is true of any vehicle line."
-electrek (from a Jim Hackett interview by Bloomberg)
The Explorer EV's smaller size is more in line with what's popular in Europe. At least among high volume non-luxury brands. In Europe, it's the Kuga-sized vehicles and smaller subcompacts that's popular.
I actually don't hate it. I don't love it, but compared to other modern bmw designs, it's not the worst thing I've ever seen. It's generic, but some of the bolder details I like, such as the shape of the LEDs. What the hell is wrong with me am I losing my mind or just my eyesight? Maybe both. 😆
But I understand that approach. Too many of these startups try to in source everything, and then when the company goes understand, the customers are left holding the bag. Having the production of the car and relevant parts outsourced should help owners if Fisker goes under.