Ford is facing various challenges that it needs to address in order to boost its EV sales. One of these challenges is the delay in the launch of the Explorer EV for the European market. Originally slated for early 2024, the launch has been pushed back by six months.

Ford had partnered with Volkswagen to utilize their MEB platform, which is also used for the ID.4, for building the Explorer EV. However, Ford has given two different reasons for the delay. The first reason, as stated by Ford to Automotive News Europe, is the new EU battery standards. Ford claims that it supports these standards and wants to deliver high-quality and safe vehicles to customers. Consequently, the launch will now take place in the summer of 2024.

However, this explanation seems questionable since the industry has been aware of these standards for some time, suggesting that Ford should have been prepared. In a separate statement by Ford CEO Jim Farley, the real reason for the delay comes to light: fire countermeasures. Farley admits that they were not satisfied with the vehicle’s thermal propagation, specifically the countermeasures to prevent fires. Therefore, they decided to delay the launch by six months to address these engineering concerns.

As a result of these battery issues, the Explorer EV is now expected to be available to customers in the summer of 2024. Ford should also focus on presenting a consistent explanation to customers regarding vehicle launch issues, as offering two different reasons could potentially harm their reputation.

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