
Asian brands, EVs dominate 2025 Best Buy Awards
The 2025 Best By Awards, announced by Kelley Blue Book, reflect the rapidly shifting landscape of the automotive market not only in the USA, but also elsewhere.
- Industry News
- 17 April 2025
Various international motoring news outlets have reported that Ford will henceforth offer two different battery chemistries on its electric vehicles (EV).
This comes as the company introduces a lower-cost, shorter-range alternative to the battery pack currently used.
Ford made it clear though, that customers, of whom many were new to EVs, would not be burdened with having to make difficult decisions as to which type would be more suitable for their needs as the options will be woven into already-established configurations based on battery range.
Currently, Ford is using batteries in its EVs that contain nickel cobalt manganese chemistry but come spring, they will offer the less expensive lithium iron phosphate chemistry on its Mustang Mach-E. In 2024, it will also be introduced into the company’s F-150 Lightning.
Not only are these batteries low cost, but they are more durable and recharge faster, which is ideal for vehicles that are used for short trips, as opposed to nickel cobalt manganese batteries, which offer a longer range and are more energy dense. The latter are more suitable for customers who need to make long trips, tow or haul.
Customers would, however, continue to only have to make the simple choice between a standard-range or extended-range battery. Standard range will automatically get the lithium iron phosphate version, while extended range will get the nickel cobalt manganese version.
As the global automotive industry shifts into a greener, electrified future, South African fitment centres stand at a critical crossroad: adapt or risk falling behind.
Another plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is on its way to South Africa; this time in the form of JAC Motors’ T9 2.0L TGDI PHEV double-cab bakkie.
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has begun full-scale production of the first-ever Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at its Silverton Manufacturing Plant.