After being the subject of much controversy, a few lawsuits, and pushback from dealers, the planned Model e Ford EV sales certification program was treated to a number of changes, though ultimately scrapped altogether in the U.S. this past June. However, it has been unclear to this point if Ford Canada would follow suit, given the fact that America’s neighbor to the north has thus far remained committed to electrification in general. Now, it seems as if it already has made that decision.
In a recent interview with Automotive News, Ford Canada President Bev Goodman was asked if that particular division planned on moving forward with the Ford EV sales certification plan, or if it was also ditching that particular concept as well. “Yes. We’ve announced a similar change to our dealers here in Canada,” Goodman noted, though she didn’t provide any details regarding what that “similar change” might consist of.
With demand for all-electric vehicles tapering behind expected levels of growth – even though sales continue to grow – Ford has shifted gears as of late, and instead of going all-in on EVs, is touting the fact that its customers can choose from a variety of ICE, hybrid, and all-electric powertrains. In the coming years, it plans to vastly expand its hybrid offerings as well, to span the entire Ford Blue lineup, in fact.
Meanwhile, FoMoCo delayed the next-generation Ford F-150 EV to 2027, and also canceled plans to build a pair of three-row all-electric crossovers at the Ford Oakville Assembly plant in Canada, instead replacing those products on the line with another location for Ford Super Duty production. Those three-row crossovers will also effectively be replaced by a pair of hybrids, though it’s currently unclear where those vehicles will be built.
We’ll have more on Ford’s EV plans soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
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Reminds of the 1984 Ranger diesel debacle where Ford (of Canada) mandated special tools for anybody ordering the trucks. We got together and threw in the money so ONE dealer could get the tools. We then ordered the trucks on his dealer code but had them drop shipped to us. Years later I asked him they had ever used the tools. Nope, still sitting unopened in his parts mezzanine!!