Ford fought hard to prevent Tesla from using the “Model E” name, and now we know why. According to Automotive News, Ford is planning to use Model E as the name to a family of compact vehicles, all of which will be powered by different forms of electric configurations.
Based on the report, the Blue Oval appears to be developing the Model E as part of the company’s aggressive push towards introducing an armada of EV models into its lineup. The automaker previously said that it would invest $4.5 billion in EV models as part of a long-term plan to develop as many as 13 hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicle lines by 2020.
The Model E looks to be the first wave of these models and the Automotive News report suggests that it could come in different body styles with a compact car and compact crossover being the likeliest styles to carry the name. In addition, the vehicles will also feature a multitude of powertrains, each coming with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and a pure electric vehicle that’s expected to carry a range close to 200 miles per charge.
Ford’s Model E strategy has drawn similarities to the Hyundai Ioniq, a lineup of mid-sized EV hatchbacks that will also carry hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric versions. The big difference between the Ioniq and Ford’s planned Model E lineup is that the American automaker isn’t limiting the model to just one body type like Hyundai did with its model.
Ford is expected to start production for the Model E in the spring of 2019 at its production facility in Mexico. The goal, at least as far as the Blue Oval is concerned, is to have the Model E serve as a direct rival to the Chevrolet Bolt and the Tesla Model 3, the same model that Tesla planned to use the Model E name before it was shut down by Ford.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
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