Coronavirus Fails To Stop Ford Mustang Mach-E Engineers

Apr. 04, 2020 7:10 AM ET by Jay Traugott Electric Vehicles / 3 Comments

Final details are being done in a highly unusual way.

A few days ago, we reported that the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E launch is still on schedule despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Like all other automakers, Ford has dramatically cut down on production though some factories are scheduled to get back up and running shortly. Fortunately, customers who placed an early order for a Mustang Mach-E will still likely be receiving an email in mid-May asking them to place their final order with all desired features. A final price will be provided at that time. And because this is all proceeding as originally planned, Mach-E engineers still have to finish their final tasks despite the COVID-19 threat.

The Detroit News reports that these engineers are now all working from home and have developed some interesting alternative techniques to get the job done on time. For example, these engineers are utilizing previously recorded test videos as reference points and are even using their own garages as labs.

Engineers have remote access to all of their office software programs and have taken home prototype vehicles from which necessary data can be directly downloaded.

"If there is a different calibration we want to try, I will jump into the vehicle, the flash goes in, I will take the car around the block, come back, look at the data, and see how things reacted," said Aleyna Kapur, whose task is to make sure the hardware, powertrain and software are communicating with each other. "Maybe I'll get back in the vehicle, tweak a few things, and come back to the desk. It's right there."

Fortunately, Mach-E development was already entering its final stages when the novel coronavirus struck America, so all of the required proving ground work had already been completed.

These engineers are so familiar with the all-electric SUV at this point that working remotely, while not ideal, can still accomplish what needs to be done to make that original launch date. The stakes are unquestionably high for Ford. The Mustang Mach-E is just the beginning of a new electrified era for the automaker as its unique platform will further be utilized for more EVs in the years ahead.

Also, the Mach-E launch itself needs to be perfect following the troubled launch of the new Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator. Ford needs to show customers, shareholders, and the financial markets it has learned from those mistakes.