The Tesla Model Y is one of the latest upcoming Tesla cars coming soon and many many manufacturers are getting ready to tackle it. Most have learned what happened when Tesla launched the Model 3 and made astonishing sales beating practically all of its Internal Combustion Engined rivals (ICE). It was also the car that helped bring Tesla to its crazy $500 billion value. The Model Y is expected to make a huge impact within the SUV market so other manufacturers have decided to take on Tesla and want to stop them climbing up the tracks of the stock exchange and stealing their customers. one of the companies mainly affected by Tesla’s growth is Ford who is now worth 4 times less than Tesla despite being found 100 years prior to Tesla.
Ford plans to take serious action towards the Model Y with the all-new Mustang Mach E. Ford’s approach to the Model Y is quite simple. They want to make electric cars have a bit more muscle hence the idea to call it after the mustang, a name with a huge cult following already. The term “Mach E” comes from the Mustang Mach 2 which is a performance variant of the classic Mustang. The Mach-E is the first SUV variant of the Mustang series and yes it has upset many Mustang purists.
The Mach-E is a serious contender to the Model Y as let’s face it it looks way better. The Mach E actually has style and does not look like an egg on wheels which is what the Model Y looks like. Furthermore, when it comes to interior design the Mustang Mach-E wins it as although it looks similar, it does have more character. However, the screen could have been tilted upwards a bit rather than being dead awkwardly straight.
The Mach E starts at just over $42.000 which is cheaper than what the base Tesla Model Y starts at. Both, the base Model Y and Mach-E are RWD. An AWD Mach-E starts at over $45,000 which is cheaper than the standard base RWD Model Y. There are options for an RWD Model Y but they start at over $47,000.
The top Mach-E is the GT which costs just over $60,000 and is claimed to smack 60 in only 3.7 seconds. The performance model of the Tesla Model Y hits this figure in 3.5 seconds.
Who Will Actually Buy a Mach E
That’s a simple question. Not Tesla fans. It’s doubtful that the same person who would buy a Model Y will buy a Mach-E. The Model Y is more for tech enthusiasts whilst the Mach E is more for car enthusiasts. The Model Y is a computer on wheels and really appeals to those who don’t like cars. Not even the average joe but more so tech nerds. IT guys. Those who are good with tech will go with Tesla. Those who are car enthusiasts will prefer to go with Ford as they have more heritage. But don’t be quick to think a lot of Mustang owners will run towards it as hardcore Mustang fans actually dislike the use of the name “Mustang” on an electric SUV especially as they are also using the legendary Mach name.
Let’s face it then. Mach E and Model Y owners are two different crowds. However, an average non-car enthusiast person just looking to get an electric SUV would much rather go with the Model Y as the Mach E is much sportier. Other rivals may get a bit of the pie like BMW with their IX3 or Porsche with their 2022 Macan, however, Tesla wins the monopoly here as their car appeals more to non-car people especially with the crazy supercharger infrastructure and user simplicity. Think of Tesla then as the Apple in the electric car world. Brands like Ford etc are more the Android types.
The Mach E wants to create its own pathway rather than intervene on Teslas. It would be incredibly hard to compete with Tesla over customers. Therefore, it is much easier and cheaper to create a new car for a fresh set of customers. Not all brands can hit every customer therefore, choosing the right customer is key. The right customer may give Ford a higher advantage as many people are long-time Mustang fans etc.
A Mach E is also a trendier car. The Mustang itself has always been trendy so there are no issues in making the Mach E stand out. The Mustang badge is iconic and has been around since 1965 through 6 generations. The Mach-E looks muscular and sporty but will people miss the fact it does not carry a huge 5.0 V8? Probably not as they’ll get used to it. It will also be assembled in Mexico rather than America as Ford wants to make a profit from the Mach E, unlike Tesla who has not made profits in a long time.
Is the Mach E More of a Sportscar?
It is sporty but it can still easily carry a family of five. It may be named after the Mustang but it’s not as sporty as a standard Mustang or as muscular. The Mach E wants to be exciting but practical. It is stylish and inside it does have a fair amount of technology. It is not completely minimalist like the Model Y though as the Mach E does have buttons and climate control switches. The Mach E feels more like a normal ICE ar than the Model Y and something which people are much more used to as it has less of a minimalist interior. Sure it may be more complex but it still looks good.
Ford essentially has put style first. Making an electric SUV is easy but what’s hard is competition. The way around this is creating your own unique car with unique details and customer base. Ford wants the Mach E to stand out more and to make a car that is not only as practical as an SUV but also sleek and sleek and gorgeous. The Mach E holds its ground in corners and drives very well indeed. It feels sportier and more rigid.
The Mach E will not essentially steal Tesla customers, but more so rock their boat a bit in that consumers have a second choice. Those who feel they are forced to buy a Model Y as previously it was the only mid-size electric SUV on the market now have a second more sportier more characterful choice. This shows Ford is up for a fight and will not let existing ICE Ford customers switch to Tesla. It is also to show Ford is getting serious within the EV world especially when a new electric Ford F-Series truck is due soon to rival the Cybertruck. Ford has got their ticket into the popular mid-size EV SUV market quite early which is brilliant. However, they still have a long battle if they want to become the top EV seller or even close to that. Expect though a surge in Ford EV”s in the coming years and most likely a bigger/smaller version of the Mach E.
Featured image credits via: insideevs.com