Drew Dowdell

Many electric vehicle manufacturers have been aggressive with financing and lease deals lately. With new car interest rates at the highest level they have been for years, financing an electric vehicle is starting to become the most cost-effective way to get into a new vehicle. Adding fuel to that fire, Ford announced new financing incentives today for Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning.  Mustang Mach-E All 2023 and 2024 Mustang Mach-E models can be financed for 0% interest up to 72 months if you have excellent credit. If you prefer to lease, a new $7,500 Red Carpet lease cash bonus is available from Ford until September 30th, along with a new 24-month lease option for those with commitment issues. An additional $600 off is available until September 9th if you pick one from dealer stock. The 2024 Mustang Mach-E gained range and charging speed, now up to 320 miles on rear-wheel drive cars. If you don't mind being a year behind with ten fewer miles of range, your dealer may be motivated to slash the price of leftover 2023 Mach-Es a bit further for you with another $2,000 off when financed. However, we suspect the dealership can find room for discounts even if you lease. Remember that the Mach-E no longer qualifies for tax credits as of January 1, 2024. F-150 Lightning On the F-150 Lightning, 2023 models are available at the same 0% for 72 months, while 2024 models can be had for 0% for 60 months or 1.9% for 72 months, and most trims of the F-150 Lightning qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. A 24-month lease option is available; however, without the $7,500 bonus cash that the Mach-E features, it isn't a good deal. With Ford being the number two electric vehicle manufacturer in the United States behind Tesla, Tesla owners can snag an additional $1,000 conquest bonus.  E-Transit The Ford Transit is the most popular work van in the country, so incentives are slim.  However, if you are in the market and can find a leftover 2023 Ford E-Transit on the lots, Ford is offering 0% interest for 60 months plus $7,500 bonus cash. Just keep in mind that Ford enhanced the E-Transit for 2024 and you will be limited to a range of 126 miles rather than the 159 miles of the updated model.  All three of Ford's current electric vehicle offerings are compatible with most of the Tesla Supercharger network, though you will need to use a complimentary Tesla adaptor provided by Ford. Ford access to the Tesla network is transparent with plug-and-go available through Ford's BlueOval charging network.  It will be interesting to see if other manufacturers follow suit with new electric vehicle incentives of their own. View full article

Today, Mazda announced that the Mazda CX-50 crossover would gain a hybrid powertrain in addition to the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter and turbo-charged 2.5-liter Skyactive-G engine lineup. This new hybrid powertrain, courtesy of Toyota, mates a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with three electric motors and a 1.5 kWh battery, and is estimated to achieve 38 mpg combined on regular fuel, though the EPA has yet to have its say. That's a substantial jump up from the 24 city / 30 highway / 27 combined the based gasoline model achieves. Mazda claims this could save drivers $575 a year in fuel costs and increase driving range by more than 100 miles. The system uses an integrated hybrid transmission and eAWD combined produce 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. Mazda says the CX-50 Hybrid is rated for up to 1,500 lbs of towing capacity.  All hybrid models will receive a subtly restyled front facia, unique wheels, and a new optional red leather interior. The base CX-50 Hybrid Prefered starts at $35,390 (including a $1,420 destination charge) and comes with 17-inch wheels, a 10.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa built-in, wireless phone charging, 8-speaker stereo, heated front seats, and a power tailgate. That equates to a $2,320 upcharge when selecting the hybrid powertrain. Moving up to the Premium trim costs $38,820 after destination and adds black roof rails, leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, an upgraded 12-speaker Bose system, and active cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The top-of-the-line CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus stickers for $41,470 after destination charge, which upgrades the wheels to 19-inch, adds a powered front passenger seat, memory seat for the driver, cooled front seats, and a heads-up display. If the hybrid is too much of a price increase for you, the naturally aspirated 2.5 is up 1 mpg over the 2024 model, now at 25 city / 31 highway / 28 combined. The 2025 CX-50 gasoline models will arrive at dealerships next month, while the hybrid will join the lineup later in 2024. Trims: CX-50 2.5 S Select - $31,720 CX-50 2.5 S Preferred - $33,070 CX-50 Hybrid Preferred - $35,390 CX-50 2.5 S Premium - $35,420 CX-50 Hybrid Premium - $38,820 CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus - $38,920 CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus - $41,470 CX-50 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition - $42,220 CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium - $42,720 CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus - $44,720 * all prices include $1,420 destination Engines: 2.5-Liter Naturally Aspirated w/ 6-speed automatic - 187 Horsepower / 185 lb-ft of torque - EPA Estimated 25 city / 31 highway / 28 combined (87 octane) 2.5-Liter Turbocharged w/ 6-speed automatic - 265 horsepower / 320 lb-ft of torque - EPA Estimated 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined (91 octane) 2.5-Liter Turbocharged w/ 6-speed automatic - 227 horsepower / 310 lb-ft of torque - EPA Estimated 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined (87 octane) 2.5-Liter Hybrid eAWD w/ eCVT - 219 horsepower / 163 lb-ft of torque - EPA Estimated 30 city / 37 highway / 38 combined (87 octane)   View full article

Fisker announced yesterday that they would recall more than 11,000 units of their Fisker Ocean SUV worldwide due to a potential failure in the communications link of the battery management system. Fisker stated that the cabin water pump can lose communication with the local system bus, causing the battery management system to go into limp home mode. Fisker will replace the water pumps free of charge. This is the fourth recall issued on the Fisker Ocean since its release around June of 2023. Fisker filed for bankruptcy in June 2024 after burning through cash to bring the Fisker Ocean to market.  A series of component and distribution network delays slowed the rollout to customers. A series of highly negative reviews regarding the vehicle's software further dampened consumer interest. View full article