Deliveries of Ford’s all-electric SUV, the Mustang Mach-E, are on hold throughout the UK while a fix for a problem with the eCall system is found.
The new Mach-E SUV, Ford’s first pure battery electric vehicle (BEV), sets the course for a rapid roll-out of electric product over the next five years. Every Ford car will be full-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2026, while every van model will have an electrified option by 2024.
The Mach-E comes with two battery options: 76kWh, offering range of up to 273 miles, and 99kWh with up to 370 miles, which is one of the most generous distances of any model on the market.
Currently, the manufacturer has had to put all deliveries of the vehicle on hold due to an issue with the eCall system in the car. eCall automatically contacts emergency services after a serious accident. However, incorrect location information when using the system, which is an EU requirement on all vehicles manufactured since April 2018, has forced this hold.
A Ford spokesman has revealed that the issue has the potential to cause a “theoretical risk” if the vehicle location cannot be identified when relying solely on the system, stating:
“We will notify customers once an over the air software update is available to repair vehicles without the need for a dealer visit. This does not affect the drivability of the car as there are no direct safety risks caused by the operation of the vehicle”.
The issue is only a software one and Ford confirms there are “no direct safety risks” with the vehicle itself stating: “This does not affect the drivability of the car as there are no direct safety risks caused by the operation of the vehicle.”
Ford is hoping to include a fix in an over the air update scheduled for later in June, which means customers already with cars will not have to visit a dealership. However, until that fix is confirmed, fleets and company car drivers expecting deliveries face a potential delay.
The UK glitch is not the first issue to hit the new mustang Mach-E with similar issues reported in the United States. In February, Ford confirmed around 4,500 customers would have to wait to receive their new electric car.
The delay comes as fleets already face long lead times for cars and vans due to the global semiconductor shortage.
Every car and van maker is currently impacted by the computer chip crisis, with some delivery times for cars doubling and many new vans not expected to be delivered until 2022.
Fleet decision-makers are being warned fleet maintenance will require greater attention with lengthening delays to new car and van deliveries.
