More Mustang Mach-E

When the Mustang Mach-E took the stage in LA this week (Images: Ford)

RBC Capital Markets produced an analyst report (with the lead analyst being Joseph Spak) on the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which includes the following points on what is arguably the star of the LA Auto Show (at least in terms of coverage compared to that being achieved by all other OEMs, including those who also are showing battery electric vehicles):

• Calls the Mach-E “Ford’s first serious BEV offering,” a “solid job” and “a competitive vehicle.” All good things.
• Notes Ford may have the full Federal tax credit of $7,500 for 50K vehicles (this is the tax credit that declines to $0 over time when a given manufacturer has sold over 200,000 qualifying vehicles since January 1, 2010—if you’re interested in picking up a Tesla, know that on December 31, 2019, its $1,875 credit goes away, the penalty of success). And that’s the projected number of Mach-Es to be built during its first full year of production.
• Suggests Ford’s BEV strategy is “a little patchwork,” including the Mach-E, collaboration with Volkswagen, the forthcoming electric F-150, and its investment in Rivian. Or looked at another way: it is spreading its bets on what is still a risky undertaking. Let’s face it: not everyone is going to be an EV enthusiast, so having a variety of approaches could be helpful—although unless there is sharing of platforms and components, it could be a pricey approach.