Survey Says

Autolist Survey: Most don't like the Mustang name on a Ford EV, split on Mach-E vs. Model Y

David Undercoffler
Nov 24, 2019, 3:54 pm

The Ford Mustang Mach-E's natural competitor is the Tesla Model Y.

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Ford made big news ahead of the 2019 L.A. Auto Show this month with the debut of its first-ever Mustang Mach-E, an all-electric crossover that will go on sale in late 2020 and early 2021.

Though there are a variety of high-end luxury EV crossovers either already on the market or joining it shortly (from the likes of Tesla, Audi, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz), there's only a single mainstream rival to the Mach-E: Tesla's Model Y.

Like the Ford, the Model Y will start under $50,000, arrive in 2020, offer up to 300 miles of range, and will come in rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations.

Tesla Model Y Tesla's Model Y has yet to begin deliveries but promises similar range and features to the Ford Mustang Mach-E.Photo courtesy of Tesla Motors

So which one will be more popular? It turns out it might be a draw. But people did agree that they didn't like the Mustang name slapped onto an all-electric crossover.

Autolist.com surveyed roughly 1,000 car shoppers shortly after the Mach-E was revealed and asked them which they would choose: the Ford or the Tesla Model Y.

Fifty-one percent of people choose the Ford; the remaining 49 percent choose the Tesla.

Those who chose the Ford Mach-E cited the following reasons for doing so:

  • Prefer/trust Ford more
  • The Mach-E's exterior styling
  • Ford's established dealer and service network
  • The Mach-E's expected reliability
  • Concerns about Tesla's future

Meanwhile, those who chose the Tesla Model Y did so citing the following reasons:

  • Prefer/trust Tesla more
  • Expected reliability
  • The Model Y's expected performance
  • Tesla's Supercharging network
  • Dislike of the Ford brand

Turning to Ford's decision to use the iconic Mustang name on this Mach-E crossover, that proved less divisive in Autolist's poll.

Forty-six percent of respondents said they didn't like the fact that Ford chose to use the Mustang name on the Mach-E, 20 percent did like the decision, and 34 percent were undecided.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Ford offers a richer dealership network than Tesla, which sells from boutiques or online.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

While the Mach-E certainly is a departure from what the Mustang muscle car has been known for over the past 55 years, there's some logic behind Ford's choice to use it here. Because the Mustang name has so much brand awareness unto itself, Ford can leverage it to get more attention paid to this all-new electric crossover than it would have if it had used a new name for the EV.

Tesla's Model Y is currently expected to begin deliveries in the middle of 2020.

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New SUV

Ford adds 3 new models to Explorer lineup for 2021

The 2021 Ford Explorer Enthusiast ST gives buyers more performance at a lower price.

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The Explorer lineup is getting a three-model enhancement for the 2021 model year. The Explorer Enthusiast ST, Platinum, and Platinum Hybrid will be making their way to dealership lots later this year in a targeted attempt to identify customer desires.

The new models join the just-announced 2021 Ford Explorer King Ranch, also a new addition.

2021 Ford Explorer Enthusiast ST

The Enthusiast ST grade takes a lot of what customers like about the existing Explorer ST and delivers it at a far cheaper price. The Enthusiast ST has a starting MSRP of $48,750 as opposed to the ST, which starts at $52,830.

Setting it apart from there Explorers is the Enthusiast ST's quad chrome exhaust tips, 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted pockets, and sideview mirrors with ST projection lamps.

The new model comes equipped with the same 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine that's in the Explorer ST that churns out 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission completes the powertrain.

Ford has given the model a sport-tuned suspension and a top track speed of 143 mph. A standard Class III Trailer Tow Package provides towing capability of up to 5,600 pounds.

The cabin of the Enthusiast ST is complete with leather seating surfaces, unique Miko micro-perforated inserts, and City Silver accent stitching with the ST logo. There's a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated sport-style steering wheel with the ST logo, and paddle shifters.

The Explorer Enthusiast ST also features standard Ford Co-Pilot360 technology.

2021 Ford Explorer Platinum

2021 Ford Explorer Plat Ford has two new Platinum models coming to a dealership near you.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

2021 Ford Explorer Plat

The new Explorer Platinum is powered by a 3.0-liter engine and comes standard with rear-wheel drive. Four-when drive is available.

To make the Platinum version worthy of its upscale price tag, its packaging includes door handles with satin aluminum insert, liftgate appliqué, lower bodyside cladding insert, roof-rack side rails, a twin-panel moonroof, and a unique grille with satin aluminum finish. Its cabin is fitted with leather seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dashboard, door rollovers, and door and front console armrests.

The 2021 Ford Explorer Platinum has a starting MSRP of $52,480. The hybrid version of that model starts at $53,085.

All the models are currently available for order via Ford dealerships. Deliveries are expected to begin this summer.

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New App

Culture-oriented travel app Mappo comes to Ford vehicles via the in-car SYNC system

Drivers will be able to utilize the Mappo app in their Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Mappo is a new way to explore. The app provides culture-oriented travel recommendations based on books, movies, music, and more, going further than the traditional reach of points of interest recommendations. It includes themed routes and utilizes crowd sourcing to generate content from locations around the globe.

The app launched with 30,000 points of interest with references in more than a dozen major cities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Points of interest aren't just marked on a map, but are supported with content such as quotes, book clips and trivia. Users can browse points of interest nearby, or you can use the search box to look up themed routes based on a place, the name of an author or book, or several other filters such as movies, music and history.

Mappo app interface in SYNC 4

Mappo app interface in SYNC 4

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

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Ford will be the first automaker to add Mappo to its vehicles. The addition is the result of a collaboration between Mappo, a startup from Tel Aviv, Israel, and the Ford Research Center in Israel.

"People love telling their friends about interesting places in books, movies and music – now they can share these passions with the world through Mappo," said Stuart Taylor, global director, Ford enterprise connectivity. "Mappo makes long drives or brief escapes richer experiences, whether people stay inside their vehicle or step out to experience a landmark."

Customers who have vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 or SYNC 4 technology will be able to use Mappo through voice commands, giving them an easy way to experience the app as they travel. Mappo also will be available for the 2021 F-150, Mustang Mach-E, Bronco, and other future Ford vehicles.

Vehicles equipped with navigation technology can use SYNC AppLink for the unique capability of creating routes to the points of interest found in the Mappo app.

In addition to Ford vehicles, the Mappo app is aviaalbe for iOS and Android devices.

Getting in and out of your vehicle to explore doesn't stop the Mappo experience. Any saved route on your smartphone can be easily selected once running the app inside your vehicle, and you can quickly pick up where you left off – whether leaving a vehicle to explore or coming back to continue to your next destination.

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