Ford Working On Its Beloved Model E

2015 Ford Focus Electric (Credit: Ford)

Tesla really wanted to name the Model 3 the Model E, but Ford legally claimed the name. We’ve all seen the Model 3 prototype now, but a lot of people have forgotten about the Model E.

Some info about Ford’s secretive work on the car is starting to leak out. Word is the vehicle will be a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric on a dedicated platform. We’ll also have to wait until 2019 for the Model E. If that sounds anticlimactic, that’s because it is.

After battling Tesla for the name, Ford could potentially squander it on a vehicle that will be anything but revolutionary in three years. After all, the Blue Oval really will be following in the footsteps of Hyundai, which is doing the exact same thing with the Ioniq line.

Donald Trump won’t like that Automotive News speculates that the Model E will be built in Mexico. It would be assembled at the same all-new facility that supposedly will become the home of the Focus.

Right now, experts think Ford would be pumping out around 50,000 Model Es each year, starting in 2019. After over 300,000 preordered the Model 3, that’s not an impressive figure.

The good news is the Model E will hopefully usher out the C-Max. Not only does the car look bad, it was part of an EPA investigation for not being as fuel-efficient as claimed. Ford needs a new super-green vehicle, and the Model E looks like it will be it.