FORD READIES ALL-NEW ELECTRIC CROSSOVER

First purpose-built EV to hit the market before the end of the decade

Ford is pressing ahead with its first all-new battery electric vehicle after it recently announced that it is pulling out of the saloon and hatchback market in the US.

The all-electric crossover, dubbed Mach 1 in reference to its Mustang-derived styling features, has been confirmed as a globally engineered model to be revealed next year with right-hand-drive sales starting in 2020.

The crossover, codenamed CX430, will be built on the C2 platform used for the new Focus and has been in Ford’s product plan for several years. The CX430 will be additional to the Kuga SUV. And since it is based on the front-wheel-drive C2 platform, it is expected to be conventional hatchbacklike, with a slightly raised driving position.

Ford has identified ‘white paper’ models like the CX430 to replace saloons and hatches in its US line-up. Further crossovers with Mustang design cues and front-drive chassis are a strong possibility because they combine “the best attributes of cars and utilities, such as high ride height, space and versatility”. Fusion and Taurus from its North American line-up came as a surprise. Ford’s new CEO, Jim Hackett, has acted decisively and made the announcement at a financial conference in the US, momentously ending the brand’s 110-year presence in the US passenger car market.

“We are committed to taking the appropriate actions to drive profitable growth and maximise the returns of our business over the long term,” said Hackett.

Analysts said Ford had previously signalled that the mix of car models in its range was forecast to drop to just 10% in the US, leaving 90% of its sales as SUVs and trucks. “Buyers keep shifting to SUVs and crossovers. Big Three sedan sales have been very dependent on poor-quality fleet sales,” said IHS Markit analyst Colin Couchman.

Ford US rivals Chrysler and Dodge have taken similar action under Fiat ownership, killing some mid-sized saloons and instead investing in Jeep SUVs and RAM pick-ups.

Ford will retain only the Mustang and Focus Active (a high-riding hatchback) on sale after 2020, although its bread and butter SUVs and trucks such as the Explorer and F-Series pickup continue. A new global SUV reviving the Bronco spirit of the 1960s is also in the pipeline.

The end of the Fusion and Taurus can also be seen in the context of a drive to simplify and reduce Ford’s global platforms to just five. Currently, it has 11. In future, Ford strategy will revolve around an emerging-markets small car platform (Ka), the C2 (Focus), a mid-sized SUV platform (Explorer), an electric car platform (Mach 1) and full-sized truck platform (F-Series).