The Blue Oval is currently rolling back some of its ambitious EV goals in favor of a more balanced approach that includes gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles. That said, the automaker still fully intends to make a significant push into the European electric vehicle market courtesy of two all-new models. Today, the company revealed that the first of that duo, the all-electric Ford Explorer, has entered mass production at the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center in Germany.
Ford spent $2 billion to completely transform the German facility so it could produce battery electric vehicles, with the new Ford Explorer replacing the Ford Fiesta as the plant’s sole responsibility until later this year, when a second EV is slated to enter production. Ford outfitted the center with AI and robotic technology designed to spot any quality issues on the line, with more than 600 self-learning robots on hand tasked with various tasks like welding and cutting. Ford says assembly operations are monitored by a new control center that is capable of knowing the quantities of every part at each workstation.
“To see the Cologne factory founded by Ford in 1930 being transformed into a state-of-the-art electric vehicle production facility is nothing short of amazing. The start of mass production of electric vehicles, with the new all-electric Explorer, marks the beginning of a new era for Ford in Europe,” said Kieran Cahill, vice president, Manufacturing, Ford in Europe and International Markets Group.
The electric Ford Explorer debuts with a 79 kWh dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain rated at 250 kW of power expected to run approximately 566 kilometers on a single charge. A rear-wheel drive, single motor with a slightly smaller 77 kWh battery variant will be available in the future. Ford opted to license technology from Volkswagen for the new Explorer, which rides on its own variant of the MEB platform. The arrangement is part of a sprawling partnership between the two automakers that involves both companies building vehicles for each other.
Although a new EV will be produced alongside the new Ford Explorer later this year, the company has pared back it EV timetable for Europe in favor of a multi-pronged approach. Ford’s assembly plant in Spain will be a key part of the revised plan, and is expected to produce at least one new hybrid vehicle by 2030. Ford of Europe is also evaluating the upcoming low cost EV that will debut for the U.S. market in late 2026.
We’ll have more on the Ford Explorer soon, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest electric Ford Explorer news, and for continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
No photos?
Think of the new Euro Explorer as the Edge replacement for the US and Canada markets.
Actually looks like a terrific vehicle with good range. We want one of these. I don’t care whose modified platform this is on. Unfortunately, they won’t make it here so it won’t be competitive for the U.S..
I really hope the software doesn’t suck unlike my Mach-E.
It probably will. Its a Ford after all😂
Another ugly EV. Let those European drivers buy that crap. This will not sell in the US!
This is not for the US market, but it would sell here. Just not to you.
I like that 😄🙂
1. When will the Ford EV explorer be made available in the United States?
2. How widely in EU will the EV explorer be marketed? I.e. In which countries will this EV Explorer be sold first?
Why would they bring these explorers to United States when they can’t even sell the pickup trucks.
The VW MEB platform suffers with no frunk / froot design. Not sure why Ford picked up the Explorer nameplate for this Europe-only vehicle. The trade-off where VW took the Ranger pickup platform for its Amarok pickup and thrown out a dud – EV platform towards Ford.
Really good looking Explorer, too bad it won’t be selling in the US Market, because it would sell.
I’m looking forward to it arrival, just as I do with all Ford products.