.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
The saga of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado’s unorthodox boot may have resulted in one less rival. Ford has ruled out a Ford Everest PHEV indicating the packaging compromises seen on the Prado’s seven-seat boot has played a major part.
Despite the obvious connection between the SUV and its new Ranger plug-in hybrid, Ford is focused on not compromising practicality in its SUV, with Toyota forced to install a drawer in the boot of the Prado due to the mild-hybrid system underneath the rear end of the vehicle.
The problem Ford faces is the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which requires it to cut average CO2 emissions. This will be challenging as the approximately 90 per cent of total Ford sales are the Ranger and Everest, which naturally produce more emissions than smaller, petrol or hybrid vehicles. Ford has already ditched the Everest 4x2 models, as they are classified as a ‘passenger car’, while the 4x4 models are ‘commercial vehicles’ and therefore have a higher emissions target. Seemingly, then, an Everest PHEV would be a logical option to try and cut emissions, but Ford doesn’t want to face the same feedback the Prado has garnered.
The Everest and Ranger are based on the same underpinnings and share engine options, but Ford Australia has admitted some key differences make an Everest PHEV nearly impossible. Obvious differences are the rear packaging and suspension between the seven-seat SUV and dual-cab ute. Seeming the Everest’s more complex rear suspension gets in the way of the PHEV batteries, but there are multiple factors.
“ Yeah, so there's a lot of considerations that go into future power packs and cycle plans, as you can imagine,” explained Ford Australia marketing chief, Ambrose Henderson. “One of them's about who's taking the program globally, the plant it's coming from, what the business case looks like ultimately.”
While not naming the Prado, Henderson made it clear that Ford’s ‘no compromises’ approach to the practicality and capability of the Everest is a major factor in the decision to not push ahead with an Everest PHEV.
“For us as an Australian market and what we look for and what we're pushing the globe for is products that deliver for the customer’s needs. And as we talked about… we will not compromise on the key things that our customers are seeking. Some others have gone and started doing some things in this space and they've taken significant compromises to the package of the car. And when we look at our car and we look at the customer research and what we need to deliver. We don't think that that delivers for Australian customers where they need the space in the car, they need the power and torque. They want the full 4x4 and they wanna be able to tow, and right now that package and the technology that's available doesn't support that.
“So, number one, before you pass go, we need to deliver what customers want. And that's our absolute guiding line. So that's how we approach it.”
.jpg)
.jpg)
