Ford Motor Co. will reopen the U.S. order banks Tuesday for the all-electric 2023 Mustang Mach-E, offering new features including extended range, and raising the price across all trims by thousands of dollars.
In a news release Thursday, Ford said it was raising the starting price for the 2023 model “due to significant material cost increases, continued strain on key supply chains, and rapidly evolving market conditions.” Ford added that it will continue to monitor pricing across the model year.
The new prices increase each vehicle by $3,000 to about $8,000 depending on the trim level, compared with the 2022 model year. Even the destination charge got a $200 bump. Ford said the new prices go into effect for new orders placed starting Tuesday. Customers who have existing, unscheduled 2022 model year orders will receive a private offer to convert to a 2023 model year.
Starting in the fall, premium models built with the Extended Range battery will get an extra 13 miles in range for a total EPA-estimated range of 290 miles on all-wheel drive models, Ford said. Ford Co-Pilot360 Driver Assist Technology is now standard across the Mach-E lineup. On certain models, Ford BlueCruise hands-free driving and 360-degree camera are available for a free 90-day trial.
“Adding Ford Co-Pilot360 Driver Assist Technology to the entire Mustang Mach-E lineup gives more customers access to services like BlueCruise hands-free driving and future ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) services through Ford Power-Up software updates,” Marin Gjaja, chief customer officer for Model e, said in a statement.
Ford is making a new Nite Pony Package available on premium models with extended range battery and GT Performance Edition. The package features high-gloss black 19-inch wheels and a black Pony, black front and rear lower fascia, door cladding, and black mirror caps on the grille. The GT Performance Edition adds 20-inch high-gloss black wheels andblack GT badge. Ford said customers can pair any Mustang Mach-E exterior color with the Nite Pony Package.
The 2023 model will also offer two new colors from the eight available. The new colors are: Carbonized Gray Metallic and Vapor Blue Metallic, which replace Dark Matter Gray Metallic and Iced Blue Silver Metallic.
California Route 1, previously available as either a rear-wheel or electric all-wheel drive option, is now available only as an all-wheel drive option, based on customer demand. The panoramic fixed-glass roof is now standard on GT and GT Performance Edition, replacing the black painted roof.
Starting Aug. 30, here is the breakdown of the starting prices for the various 2023 Mach-E options and packages and the increase from the 2022 model:
- Select RWD standard range: $46,895, an increase of $3,000
- Select eAWD standard range: $49,595, an increase of $3,000
- California Route 1 eAWD Extended Range: $63,575, an increase of $8,100
- Premium RWD standard range: $54,975, an increase of $5,875
- Premium eAWD standard range: $57,675, an increase of $5,875
- GT Extended Range: $69,895, an increase of $7,900
- Extended range battery: $8,600, an increase of $2,600
- Nite Pony Appearance Package: $800
- GT Performance Package: $6,000
- Destination charge: $1,300, an increase of $200
The Mustang Mach-E has been a hit for Ford. In the second quarter, Ford sold 10,941 of the electric SUV, a 72% increase versus a year ago, according to Cox Automotive. Ford’s gasoline-powered vehicles are fetching higher prices in the marketplace, too. Ford’s overall average transaction price in the second quarter jumped nearly 10% to $51,995, according to Cox Automotive calculations.
Then, in June, the automaker issued a recall affecting 48,924 or 100% of the 2021-22 Mach-E vehicles built during a two-year time period that could lose power while driving, or not start. The action also included a dealer hold on any vehicles not yet delivered to customers. Last month, three owners of the 2021-22 Mustang Mach-E filed a federal lawsuit against Ford, claiming the Dearborn automaker has known of a design flaw that causes the EVs to lose power and has not figured out how to fix the problem.
Earlier this month, Ford CEO Jim Farley told reporters that prices for EVs will remain high due to increasing costs for the minerals lithium, cobalt and nickel used to make EV batteries. On Aug. 9, Ford said it would be raising the starting price for its F-150 Lightning pickup by $6,000-$8,500 per vehicle due to significant increases in raw materials. That will put the price range for the Lightning at $39,974 to $96,874, depending on the model and trim.
Many analysts saidthere will be more price bumps on EVs across the industry because of material costs and they are expensive to manufacture. Ford, General Motors and others have had to boost prices for some of their EVs and they struggle to offer price points that will attract mass adoption. But GM CEO Mary Barra has consistently promised an EV for every purse and pocketbook, emphasizing that the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV will be priced at about $30,000. Chevrolet currently sells the Bolt starting at about $26,000.
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Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.