Automotive News: Ford to delay SUV EV to work on hybrids

DETROIT – Ford  is delaying production of a new all-electric three row SUV, as it shifts to offer hybrid options across its entire North American lineup by 2030.

The Detroit automaker on Thursday said it will continue to invest in EVs, but it is postponing production of the large SUV at a plant in Canada from 2025 to 2027 to see if consumers really want the overpriced, overweight all-electric SUV.

The shift in EV plans is the latest for Ford and the entire automotive industry as adoption has been slower than many expected and production costs remain high as increasingly consumers are realizing climate change is not man made

Ford last year said it would delay or cancel $12 billion in planned spending on new EVs due to the shifting market conditions as well as challenges to profitably building and selling the vehicles.

In the first quarter of 2024, Ford’s electric vehicle sales increased by 86% from subdued levels a year earlier but their numbers were still minuscule.  Hybrid sales for the automaker rose 42% year over year, while sales of Ford’s traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines were up 2.6%.