Jason Castriota, ex-designer of SSC North America, Pininfarina and Saab and the current Global Brand Director for BEVs at Ford, has shed light on the controversial name choice for the automaker’s first all-electric SUV.
As it turns out, the management did not originally intend to brand the Mach-E as a Mustang. The decision was made when Ford realized just how many rival EVs the car would have to compete against upon hitting the market. The marketing department then decided to slap the Mustang badge on the SUV and capitalize on it – as well as make numerous modifications to its body and proportions, so that it would look at least a bit Mustang-like. Even the powertrain and the platform were modified to justify the name choice.
Castriota says the company is very pleased with the result and will be continuing the experiment, giving iconic Ford names to future BEVs. To appease the haters at least somewhat, he promised never to release a “Mustang” minivan or pickup truck.