Ford unveils new ELECTRIC Mustang with an SUV body as it competes with Tesla and European automakers

American automaker Ford has unveiled its first-ever electric version of the classic Mustang pony car, except this version has the body of an SUV to appeal to today’s American tastes.

The 2020 Mustang Mach E was revealed on Sunday during a live streaming event from Los Angeles by Ford in its first-ever expansion of the Mustang lineup since the classic sports car debuted 55 years years. 

The number 2 American automaker after General Motors plans to have the Mach E in showrooms next year, and will still offer its current line up of the Mustang coupe, convertible and special editions, the automaker says.

American automaker Ford has unveiled its first-ever electric version of the classic Mustang pony car (pictured) , except this version has the body of an SUV to appeal to today’s American tastes

Systems (center) on board the Mach E will guide motorists to public charging stations, recommend where to charge on trips and includes access to more than 12,500 charging stations within the 'FordPass' charging network

Systems (center) on board the Mach E will guide motorists to public charging stations, recommend where to charge on trips and includes access to more than 12,500 charging stations within the ‘FordPass’ charging network

Fully-charged Mach E's will have a range of about 300 miles with an available extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive version is also available

Fully-charged Mach E’s will have a range of about 300 miles with an available extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive version is also available 

The Mach E, like it’s gasoline-powered cousin, can still perform, going from 0 to 60 miles-per-hour in ‘the mid 3-second range,’ and an estimated 459 horsepower, according to specs provided by Ford. 

Fully-charged Mach E’s will have a range of about 300 miles with an available extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive version is also available. 

Prices start around $45,000. Buyers also may be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. By comparison, the Tesla Model 3 sedan goes for about $39,000, before applying tax credits.

Systems on board the Mach E will guide motorists to public charging stations, recommend where to charge on trips and includes access to more than 12,500 charging stations within the ‘FordPass’ charging network.

‘The Mustang Mach-E wholeheartedly rejects the notion that electric vehicles are only good at reducing gas consumption’, said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product development and purchasing officer in a released statement.

‘People want a car that’s thrilling to drive, that looks gorgeous and that can easily adapt to their lifestyle – and the Mustang Mach-E delivers all of this in unmatched style’.

While electric cars have been introduced by several manufacturers, the vehicles haven’t really caught on with American consumers. 

The electric vehicle, or EV, segment grew to 1.8 per cent of the all cars sold in March, up from 1.6 per cent a year before, reports the Edison Electric Institute.

However, when it comes to dominating the segment, Tesla’s share of the US market rose to 2 per cent in 2018, with 140,000 of its Model 3 EVs delivered, making up more than half all electric vehicles sold that year, reports the website Statista. 

Meanwhile, European automakers, including  Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Jaguar, have rolled out electric versions of their SUVs, a segment American consumers have sought more in recent years than smaller-sized sedans, which no longer represent 50 per cent of the market. 

Consultancy LMC Automotive predicts that by 2023 there will be 90 mainstream SUV and crossover models on the U.S. market, as well as 90 luxury models, reports Reuters.

The original Mustang (pictured), introduced at the 1964 World's Fair in New York, was an instant hit, offering unprecedented styling and performance that Americans could afford

The original Mustang (pictured), introduced at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, was an instant hit, offering unprecedented styling and performance that Americans could afford

Prices for the Mach E (pictured) start around $45,000. Buyers also may be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit

Prices for the Mach E (pictured) start around $45,000. Buyers also may be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit

While electric cars have been introduced by several manufacturers, the vehicles haven't really caught on with American consumers. Ford is betting the larger, SUV-version of the Mustang (pictured) will have better results

While electric cars have been introduced by several manufacturers, the vehicles haven’t really caught on with American consumers. Ford is betting the larger, SUV-version of the Mustang (pictured) will have better results

Those numbers compare with 2017 levels of 65 mainstream SUV and crossover models and 53 luxury models. 

Ford is taking the chance that a large, electric version of its classic Mustang will fit in with those models. 

The original, introduced at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, was an instant hit, offering unprecedented styling and performance that Americans could afford. 

The concept was dubbed the ‘pony car’ and included the Camaro from Chevrolet and Challenger from Dodge, among others.  

Both continue in production today, competing with the Mustang, which soon will be Ford’s only car on the market. 

Ford’s Fusion, Fiesta and other car models will soon be out in favor of crossovers, SUVs and pickups. GM and Number 3 automaker Fiat Chrysler are on a similar trend, or expected to be.

Ford is taking the chance that a large, electric version of its classic Mustang will fit in with EV models made by Tesla and rivals Mercedes Benz, Jaguar and Audi

Ford is taking the chance that a large, electric version of its classic Mustang will fit in with EV models made by Tesla and rivals Mercedes Benz, Jaguar and Audi

 

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