Ford recently announced that it would launch a plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Ranger pickup truck. However, it got customers thinking that soon after the PHEV Ranger’s launch, a hybrid Ford Everest could be in the works as they are siblings and share a few parts.
However, an executive from Ford Australia has clarified that the Blue Oval brand has no plans to make a PHEV version of the Ford Everest just yet as it is still feeling things out with its plans for electrification.
Ford Australia chairman Andrew Berkish said the diesel version of the Everest was already excellent and should be sufficient to support customer needs at this time. It indicates that the Blue Oval brand is still hesitant to widen its range of electrified vehicles after the Ranger.
“We cannot share any additional information regarding Everest's engines,” Berkish added.
Also read: Electrified na! Ford Ranger PHEV to debut in 2025 with 45km of EV range
Ford is still open to the possibility of a Ford Everest hybrid soon, but it will still depend on the success of the Ford Ranger PHEV model. If there is a high enough demand for the electrified Ranger, then the Blue Oval may begin to develop its SUV counterpart.
Specific markets will also be targeted first if sales figures prove good, such as in Europe, where plug-in hybrid sales are very high due to government support. Still, Ford needs to distribute Everest in that region.
There is still no news if Ford will utilize the same hybrid technology found in the Ranger and put it into the Everest, but as they are stablemates, it may likely be the case if things turn out to be suitable for the sales of the PHEV pickup truck.
For now, it's a waiting game to see what Ford will have in store, and if the sales of the Ranger PHEV prove to be good, then we could soon see an Everest PHEV or at least a hybrid version of the 7-seater in the near future.
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