Ford's blockage of Tesla's plans of using the "Model E" name are at some point getting connected to its proposal of launching its own electric car. The giant automaker is rumored to be plotting of making a new electric vehicle with the "Model E" badge, which could see a 2019 launch.
According to Slash Gear, Ford intends to utilize some of its production capacity in the brand-new $1.6 billion facility in Mexico, to manufacture an electric car that could rival Toyota's Prius, Chevrolet Bolt, and Tesla's Model 3. Though the company does not have a background with electric vehicles, it is willing to venture into the promising field of electric hybrid automobiles.
Currently, Tesla's Model 3 has racked up over 325,000 reservations according to company's statistics. The numbers translate to around $14 billion of future sales, though this wholly depends on if all the reservations will get converted into full purchases.
Tesla's initial plan was to call its electric car the Model E, as witnessed by its attempts to put it through a trademark in 2013. Even the company's CEO Elon Musk had several times referred to the car as Model E, but all these attempts were blocked by Ford in 2014.
Now, pieces are coming together implying that Ford could be building a Model 3 alternative, Auto News reported. Prospected to be dubbed Ford Model E, analysts say that the car will be offered with a trio of drivetrains, which will include a plug-in hybrid, a traditional hybrid system, and as a full-electric vehicle.
Back in 2015, Ford denied claims that it was going to develop a rival to the Chevrolet Bolt. As reports reveal, Chevrolet has been developing an all-electric car called Bolt EV, whose mileage range of charge will be approximately 200 miles. The car will have a sticker price of $30,000 after tax credits and subsidies.
Since the denial of the claims, critics predicted that Ford Model E would get launched by 2017. But new reports from analysts indicate that the company is targeting to unveil the eco-friendly trio in 2019. Until then, enthusiasts are advised to keep their ears open for any further developments.
Watch a clip of Ford's electric car plans here: