Following years of shifts in terms of production plans, a pair of three-row Ford EV models – rumored to be all-electric versions of the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator –Â were delayed back in early May, and just yesterday, canceled altogether – and replaced by hybrids instead. This move came as a bit of a surprise to many, particularly given Ford’s previous desire to vastly expand its EV lineup, but amid slower than expected growth in demand for all-electric vehicles, it makes sense, financially. This is especially true when we look at one other three-row EV SUV currently on the market – the Kia EV9.
According to CarsDirect, the Kia EV9 is currently eligible for a number of incentives, including a lease of $389 per month for the Light Long Range AWD model for 24 months with $4,999 due at signing. Additionally, all trims are eligible for up to $8,500 in cash rebates, as well as a combination finance and rebate deal good for up to $1,000 off, plus zero percent financing for 48 months.
Earlier this year, some 2024 Kia EV9 models became eligible for a Select VIN Summer Sticker Sales Event worth $1,500 off MSRP, which could be combined with other offers as well. Customers could also choose between $7,500 in Customer Cash or zero percent financing for 48 months, or a 24-month lease worth more than $10,000 in some areas. Other discounts varied by trim, but when combined with a $500 loyalty discount, one could score up to $12,400 off the MSRP of a new EV9.
All of this is notable given the fact that battery costs are what reportedly delayed the three-row Ford EV twins before, and CEO Jim Farley has been quick to point out that pricing remains one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption – as well as the automaker’s path to profitability on those models, given their higher costs to produce. Additionally, back in April, FoMoCo revealed that substantial price cuts it applied to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning cost the company a whopping $300 million, meaning that perhaps the automaker simply didn’t see a clear path to profitability with its three-row model.
We’ll have more on Ford’s EV strategy soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
Kia fanboys keep raving at how well the EV9 is selling. Now we know its baloney and why the few that are selling are.
It reminds me of an earlier Kia misstep: the Borrego, a large V8 SUV that came out during the 2008 real estate crash and on the eve of GM canceling Hummer as a make.
Very low customer demand for BEV’s is the cause of over supply by all manufacturers resulting in “fire sale” pricing just to clear them off lots. The charging infrastructure is the biggest hangup and the reason I sold mine two years ago.
I hope the U.S. government doesn’t step in and bail them out in a few years because the make big bucks now and have nothing in the future when EVs are ready for prime time. I drive a model S 2014 and love it. Not perfect but a great early EV. The EV9 is a great suv. Get it for 46,000ish and you got a great suv for a good $.