Ford to expand its hybrid vehicles
Automaker’s announcement includes plan to push back its launch of three-row EVs
After a strong first-quarter sales report heavily crediting the strength of its hybrid vehicles, Ford Motor Co. announced plans Thursday to expand hybrid offerings across its lineup — while pushing back the launch of its new three-row electric vehicles from 2025 to 2027.
Ford is overhauling its assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario, that will build the three-row SUVs and said its commitment to the vehicles remains firm. The company has said repeatedly consumer appetite for electric vehicles is growing but not as quickly as initially expected. The factory transformation in Canada is to begin in the second quarter.
The delay will allow the automaker to take advantage of emerging battery technology, with the goal of providing increased durability and value, Ford said in its news release. The automaker will work with Unifor union leaders to "mitigate" the impact of the launch delay on workers, Ford said.
A major concern among consumers remains access to battery charging networks, and the rate of expansion. In February, Ford customers crashed the automaker's computer system in their rush to get a free charging adapter for the Tesla fast-charging network.
Meanwhile, hybrid vehicles, including the Maverick and F-150 pickups, are driving sales in a big way.
With its first-quarter earnings report three weeks away, Ford is adjusting production plans
and expectations:
h By the end of the decade, the company expects to offer hybrid powertrains across its entire Ford Blue lineup in North America.
h Expansion continues at the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, to produce a new electric commercial vehicle for Ford Pro customers beginning mid-decade. Half of the structural steel is erected on the site, interior slabs are being poured, concrete walls are going up and masonry is beginning on interior walls.
h Progress continues with construction at
tage cars and boats to a broad automotive lifestyle firm with investors including State Farm Insurance and Markel Group.
The 2023 Detroit Concours attracted fewer visitors than the most recent Amelia Island or Greenwich shows
2023 attendance: h The Amelia, March 2024: 27,000 attendees
h Detroit Concours, September 2023: 5,000 attendees
h Greenwich Concours, June 2023: 10,000 attendees
h Radwood 2023 (across 7 events): more than 16,000 attendees
A car show in Corktown?
Long considered one of America’s leading classic car shows, the Detroit Concours is at a crossroad.
Hagerty appears committed to raising its profile with the general public as well as wellheeled car collectors who travel the country to exhibit vehicles and compete for trophies.
Coming up with a location and theme that capitalize on Detroit’s history of automotive design and innovation and attracts a broad public audience, in addition to millionaire collectors, will be a challenge.
People close to Hagerty say the preference is to keep the show in the city of Detroit, but success drawing crowds and showstopping cars will determine its future.
The Cultural Center setting was appealing for its proximity to the DIA and its stunning Diego Rivera “Detroit Industry” murals, but the museum’s grounds present challenges for displaying dozens of vintage cars.
In addition to the DIA, other possible venues in the city of Detroit include:
Belle Isle, a sprawling 995-acre park in the Detroit River.
Corktown, a bustling tech and entertainment hub anchored by the newly renovated Michigan Central Station — soon to host offices for Ford Motor Co. and a bevy of tech companies — and its adjoining Roosevelt Park.
“A car show today has to be more than just vintage automobiles,” said Larry Printz, a Florida-based journalist and car authority who regularly judges classic car shows, including the 2022 Detroit Concours. “You have to know your audience: What will attract people to your show?
“Great cars are a must, but they’re not sufficient alone.”