Ford Europe has now provided more details about the improved version of its electric SUV model, the Explorer, announced in January. At the same time, order books are opening, and the new (Standard Range) variant with LFP battery is available, at least in Germany, from a list price of €39,990.
Meanwhile, three established Belgian Ford dealers have joined forces under the ‘ADV Automotive’ umbrella. The aim is to bundle expertise, processing, and financial means without being forced to join a larger, foreign dealer structure.
Better range, improved performance
Output rises from 125 kW to 140 kW, while peak torque increases to 350 Nm. The improvements are primarily due to Volkswagen Group’s new APP350 electric motor, which Ford adopts together with the MEB platform for its Cologne-built electric models, the Explorer and Capri.
The APP350 replaces the previous APP310 unit. Although both motors are permanently excited synchronous machines (PSM), the newer drive is significantly more efficient than its predecessor.
LFP battery
The most notable update, however, concerns the battery used in the Ford and VW Standard Range variants. The usable energy content of the smallest battery increases from 52 to 58 kWh. In combination with the more efficient electric motor, this lifts the WLTP range from 378 to 444 kilometers, an increase of around 17%.
Behind these figures lies a more fundamental change: the Standard Range versions are switching to a different battery chemistry. Instead of NMC cells containing nickel, manganese, and cobalt, the models will now use LFP batteries (lithium-iron-phosphate), which do not require these critical raw materials.
LFP cells are generally considered cheaper and more durable. Their lower energy density, however, has long limited their use among Western carmakers, which have traditionally favoured NMC technology for passenger vehicles.
This is now beginning to change. LFP technology has made considerable progress in recent years, particularly in Asia, while battery design approaches such as Cell-to-Pack help offset the chemistry’s lower energy density at the vehicle level.
Other improvements
In addition to the drivetrain and battery upgrades, Ford has used this minor model update to introduce further improvements.
“The Explorer’s SYNC Move 6 infotainment system has also been updated with a new design theme to give greater clarity and ease of use, with expanded views of parking and navigation screens and the ability to group apps into folders to suit your preferences,” the manufacturer explains.
Another new feature is the ‘Pro Power Onboard’ system. This allows power from the traction battery to be used for external devices, with a maximum output of 2.3 kW. Appliances can be powered either via a 230-volt socket in the trunk or directly through the vehicle’s charging port using a special adapter.
“Explorer is a highly capable and versatile all-electric SUV with a spirit of adventure that chimes with our thrill-seeking customers,” said Christian Weingaertner, General Manager Passenger Vehicles, Ford Europe. “Even so, we’re always looking for ways to improve our vehicles. With better range, more sophisticated driver assistance systems, and Pro Power Onboard, we’ve taken it to a new level of sophistication.”
Where pricing is concerned, the new, upgraded standard model costs the same as the old one in Germany, €39,900. In Belgium, things are more complicated. Where the standard Explorer still has a list price of €41,750, the old version is now offered at a list price of €39,039, further reduced to a seriously low €31,639 through the application of an ‘Ecobon’ (- €2,900) and a stock premium (- €4,500).
But there is more. An Extended Range 77kWh version with 210 kW of power (APP550 motor) normally costs €49,950. The promotional price, including all bonuses and discounts, costs… €37,429! We honestly have no idea what the new Standard Range will cost.
ADV Automotive
As already mentioned, three established Belgian Ford dealers have joined forces under the ‘ADV Automotive’ umbrella. Dealers AB Automotive (Brussels and Vilvoorde), Vanspringel Automobiles (Brussels and Wavre), and Waasland Automotive (Beveren and Sint-Niklaas) are now united under the ADV Automotive flag.
They have taken this step to broaden their portfolio and have a clear ambition: to strengthen regional anchorage and offer customers a more coherent, professional, and sustainable service.
With this collaboration, the three dealers deliberately chose a locally anchored course as a clear answer to the fast-changing evolution in the car distribution sector and the automotive environment in general. Many dealers or agents have reacted by joining much larger dealer associations, generally run by foreign investors.
According to Ben De Groof of Waasland Automotive, this results in the impoverishment of local services. “We actually see an increasing number of new customers coming from further away to buy their car or have it maintained in our premises. They miss the local, trusted approach of yesteryears.”
Cooperation is necessary
The new members of ADV Automotive are also persuaded that cooperation is necessary to survive, but they think this can only work through a shared company culture based on generations of experience. By choosing a joint venture that keeps their long-established family companies partly intact, they aim to offer a different, more qualitative customer experience.
Ben Abeloos (AB Automotive): “Our collaboration is not a typical case of scaling up. We deliberately chose to maintain a coordinated internal process, while our clients see the same faces and experience the same values and quality as before. Trust is at the base here. The biggest change is that we can offer an even closer and more focused service, and at the same time broaden our current portfolio and our customer service.”
The three entities that will work together here have focused on representing Ford and Mazda in the past; they will now also introduce new Chinese brands such as Zeekr, Dongfeng, and Voyah to the Belgian market.
Right now, ADV Automotive has ten branches in Flanders, Brussels, and Walloon Brabant. The further rollout will be staged. Initially, there will be close attention to introducing the new brands and to fine-tuning and coordinating procedures, stock management, and service quality.
In the following years, the ambition is clear: “to be appreciated as a trustworthy, professional, and accessible mobility partner, with respect for local strengths and the real needs of customers.”
