As 2019 gets underway, we are gradually seeing Ford’s electrification strategy take more solid form. We already know that the American automaker plans to produce an electric SUV derived from its popular Mustang car. Another announcement in the past week confirmed that the company is planning an electric version of its F Series truck.
Now Lincoln joins the fray, as it too will create an electric SUV, which will even share the same platform as the planned Mustang-inspired one that will be built under the Ford banner. Lincoln North America president Kumar Galhotra took pains to say that the vehicle would be wholly distinct from its Ford cousin.
"The BEV technology gives us so much freedom to sculpt that vehicle exactly how we want it. We're going to create elegant Lincoln BEVs."
- Kumar Galhotra
This is an oft-repeated sentiment in discussions with company executives and designers. The reality of electric vehicles is that their conception imposes fewer restrictions on car engineers. The expanded freedom allows them to innovate and “think outside the box”. This applies to the exterior of an EV, but even more to the interior.
As a result, though Lincoln will use the Ford SUV as the basis for its own EV model, the connection between the two won’t be apparent.
Ford has announced that it plans to launch 16 new electric-powered products by 2022. To whet our appetites further, Ford CEO Jin Hackett has promised a “big surprise” from the automaker in the next year.
Stay tuned.