Amid a shifting strategy, Ford (F) reported first-quarter earnings Wednesday, beating analyst expectations. However, due to fierce pricing pressure, Ford’s EV revenue fell 84% in Q1 2024.
America’s top-selling electric pickup is on its way to dealers. Ford opened online orders for the 2024 F-150 Lightning at lower prices with the electric pickup now shipping from its Rouge EV plant.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating two fatal crashes involving two separate Ford Mustang Mach-Es crashing into stationary vehicles, where three people have died. In at least one of the crashes, Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist system was activated at the time of the crash, while the second one is under preliminary investigation. Here’s what happened.
After starting 2024 off strong, with EV sales climbing 86% in the first quarter, Ford looks to boost momentum. Ford is trimming prices on the 2024 F-150 Lightning by up to $5,500 as the American automaker looks to fend off incoming competition.
Hyundai Motor Group, including Kia, is using affordability to gain market share in the US. With low-cost electric cars, Hyundai Motor, along with Kia, surged past American automakers Ford and GM in the US EV market in the first three months of 2024.
After EV sales picked up in the first quarter, Ford is scaling back as it delays plans to launch its new three-row electric SUV. Ford is pushing back EV production at its Oakville, Ontario, plant as it shifts to expand its hybrid lineup.
Ford is starting 2024 off strong with EV sales up 86% through the first three months. The growth was enough for Ford to place second in the US EV market behind only Tesla. Ford’s sales surge comes after slashing prices earlier this year.
Ford is moving inventory after slashing prices by up to $8,100 on its best-selling electric SUV, the Mustang Mach-E, last month. A recent Cloud Theory report reveals that the price cuts are working as buyers look for more affordable EVs.
Starting April 1, one-third of the workforce will remain on-site at Ford’s Rouge EV plant in Michigan. Ford is drastically cutting its workforce at the facility where the F-150 Lightning is built, with demand “much slower” than expected.
Is Ford finally going to launch an electric Explorer in the US? Ford’s CEO John Lawler said at the BofA Auto Summit Tuesday an Escape-sized electric SUV can offer the same interior space as its best-selling Explorer on its new EV platform.
The all-electric Ford Explorer is finally launching in Europe. With up to 374 miles range and a starting price under £40,000 ($50,000), Ford hopes the new and improved Explorer EV can help boost sales in the region.
Ford and ultra-fast EV charging network Allego have announced a new strategic partnership to deploy chargers in hundreds of dealerships across Europe. EV drivers like those in the new all-electric Ford Explorer will soon be able to access Allego chargers offering rates up to 400 kW.
Amid a flood of new competition, Ford is shifting plans to build more affordable electric vehicles. Ford is developing a new low-cost EV platform to power a small electric pickup and SUV, with starting prices around $25,000. However, due to the pivot, plans for its three-row electric SUV have been put on the back burner.
Ford is updating the E-Transit with a larger 89kWh battery, increasing range by roughly 30% depending on configuration, and faster charging on both DC and AC.
Ford Performance is returning to “America’s Mountain” to participate in the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. After reaching the summit in a modded-up electric SuperVan last year, Ford looks to make the climb again with a bespoke F-150 Lightning EV and has teased it in an interestingly sounding video below.
Last May, Ford was the first automaker to announce its plans to adopt Tesla’s charge connector, now known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). In addition to adding Tesla’s connector to its own EVs in 2025, Ford also said it would make a free adapter available to existing Ford EV owners.
Starting today, Ford says that eligible Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners can request their free CCS to NACS adapter. The first deliveries are slated to begin shipping in March. Ford is also starting to roll out a software update that unlocks Tesla Supercharger support for Mach-E and Lightning vehicles.
“Today, Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E retail customers are the first of any non-Tesla automaker to gain access to Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada,” Ford says.
Ford has big plans for its next-gen EVs. This may include an 800V fast charging architecture as it looks to keep pace with rivals like Hyundai, Porsche, and Kia.
While Ford’s E-Transit work vans are busy racking up sales and electrifying the world’s commercial van fleets, Ford’s 1400 hp electric SuperVan is racking up records and electrifying race tracks around the world!