Electric Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Postponed Until 2024

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It’s common knowledge that electric variants of the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator will eventually make their debut. Both crossover SUVs will be trailing behind the F-150 Lightning as the upcoming Blue Oval models to appear without traditional combustion engines. We’re also aware that a newly designed EV platform will support these crossover electric vehicles.

However, recent updates indicate a delay in the arrival of the new Ford EVs. This information stems from a memo circulated to Ford’s suppliers, as reported by Automotive News. The memo reveals that production of the new electric vehicles will commence in December 2024.

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Automotive News points out the original timeline was aimed at mid-2023. Beyond the 18-month delay, Ford has shifted the manufacturing location for both EVs away from the Cuautitlan assembly plant in Mexico. The new site is pending confirmation, per the memo.

Despite that, Ford is anticipated to boost production of the immensely popular Mustang Mach-E. Albeit the delay of the Explorer EV and Aviator EV, it appears that this change may tie back to the accelerated production of the Mach-E, suggested by an interview with Ford North America’s COO, Lisa Drake.

Drake highlighted that the American automotive company is planning to allocate the Cuautitlan assembly plant specifically for Mustang Mach-E production. The objective is to assemble 200,000 units of the Mustang Mach-E per year by 2023. The planned production increase is set to kick off next year.

The demand for the Mustang Mach-E has been robust ever since its launch, with Ford estimated to sell about 60,000 units of the all-electric Mustang crossover globally this year alone. This projection indicates a production surge of over three times the current output.

“We had considered constructing another electric vehicle at Cuautitlan, but our primary focus right now is scaling up the Mach-E’s production due to the high demand,” Drake shared with Automotive News.

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