Ford officially announced that the Ford Explorer EV‘s production is delayed until 2024. The delay announcement didn’t come with a reason, but it’s easy to figure out. Ford needs to triple the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover production to meet customer demand. The best way to accomplish tripling production is to take over another factory with Mustang Mach-Es. Specifically, the one producing Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator EV SUV models.

Ford Explorer EV delayed until 2024

The next two electrified Ford/Lincoln models are delayed following the highly-anticipated F-150 Lightning. Automotive News intercepted a memo sent out to Ford’s suppliers, announcing the delay. The original release date for the two new Ford electric SUVs was sometime in mid-2023. The new memo pushed back production to December 2024, a difference of 18 months.

Additionally, Ford announced that it would no longer build the two electric SUV models at the Cuatitlan assembly plant in Mexico. The new location for Explorer and Aviator EV production is unknown.

Why is the Ford electric SUV delayed?

The all-new Ford Mustang Mach-E is the reason you can’t have your Explorer EV until 2024. The demand for the new electric crossover is high; Ford can’t keep up with the demand. The automaker is attempting to ramp up production by taking over the Cuatitlan assembly plant in Mexico. It dedicates the factory to producing only Mustang Mach-Es for the foreseeable future.

Specifically, the target is to produce 200,000 Mustang Mach-E units each year by 2023. The increased output for the popular new electric crossover will begin next year. Ford will sell around 60,000 Mach-E crossovers globally this year alone. The blue oval intends to triple its production, prioritizing it over the Explorer EV.

Will Ford Explorer EV and Lincoln Aviator EV fail?

Is the choice to produce triple the Mustang Mach-Es over the electric SUVs a sign the automaker is worried about the Explorer and Lincoln Aviator EVs? There isn’t a reason for the automaker to lack faith in its future models. So far, the Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E have done exceptionally well in preorders and sales. America’s favorite car brand has already proved to be wildly successful in the electric vehicle market.

The Ford Explorer EV might be less popular because of its namesake’s bad reputation. Historically, it’s no secret that the Ford Explorer has been less than reliable. While newer models have vastly improved upon the issues, it still holds that weight on its shoulders. Nameplates are everything, and the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E certainly gain more from their names than the Explorer. After all, the most popular pickup truck in America is hard to overlook.

The Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer EV production are delayed until 2024. Thanks to the popularity of the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover, which needs its production tripled. To fulfill the demand for the crossover, the SUVs must sit and wait until their time comes. At that time, we think the EV variants of these models will be nearly as popular as their predecessors.