I asked Amko Leenart, director of design at Ford Europe, about why Ford used VW’s terrible controls in both the Explorer and Capri, and he told me that Ford worked with a partner to improve the sliders’ response (but didn’t tell me how). , then admitted that “we tried to improve it a little – and I think we succeeded – but at the same time, it is what it is. VW is our supplier of some parts and we had to make this choice at the time.”
That’s a real shame, because decisions like this made on balance sheets and in boardrooms can kill otherwise perfect cars. In the case of the Explorer, this problem is further compounded by the fact that it is a good electric vehicle, tranquil on the road, long range and a distinctive, winning exterior.
Courtesy of Ford
I understand that project delays mean that the Explorer and Capri have missed their chance and that potentially better competitive options have presented themselves to Ford at the wrong time – but by focusing primarily on range and trying to shortcut the development path, at some point the risk will not fully subside. it paid off. And then when we try to avoid charging nearly £54,000 (about $68,500) for the top model, things get even more challenging.
Jim Farley is a astute man, and I’m sure he looked at the Explorer and Capri, and then back at his Xiaomi, and realized that Ford had a better way to combat electric vehicles than dressing up its competitors’ platforms. But there is also the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Obligation, which requires this by at least 2025 a quarter of new cars sold by British manufacturers are emission-free. Ford needs to sell more electric vehicles, and quick. This is a challenging circle to square.
I know Ford is focusing on hybrids right now, but looking at the success of the F-150 Lightning and Mach-E, and all the things to be celebrated in the EU-exclusive Explorer, I hope we see a lot more all-electric action from company in 2025. Just make it a Ford-made vehicle and available to everyone – then it certainly can’t lose.