Ford Slams Tesla, Teases Electric Mustang

Tesla’s high decibel launch of Model Y SUV was ticked off by rival Ford’s surprise tweet that had an implicit message that “don’t gloat, our electric crossover is due soon”, albeit figuratively.

Ford Motor’s tweet was figurative. The tweet said, “Hold your horses” with an image of the famous sports car's pony logo embossed in blue against a black backdrop.

The teaser came hinting the arrival of an electric Mustang-inspired crossover. It smartly coincided with Tesla’s unveiling of its new electric crossover.

The Ford tweet was posted at 8:02 p.m, barely two minutes after Tesla was to begin the unveiling of the Model Y electric SUV.

The electric Mustang-inspired crossover is eagerly awaited and may mark Ford's innings as a serious player in the high-end electric car market dominated by Tesla.

In August 2018, Ford made its 10 millionth Mustang. Mustang has been Ford’s best-selling two-door sports car. It completed 54 years of production in 2018.

Tesla Model Y SUV launched

Meanwhile, Tesla introduced its Model Y a crossover SUV on Thursday night. It will have an approximate price tag ranging from $39,000 to $60,000 depending on the configuration.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the Model Y prototype at the Tesla Design Center in Hawthorne, California.

Speaking at the function, Musk pledged that it will be the safest vehicle and will offer tremendous driving capability.

“It has the functionality of an SUV but it will ride like a sports car,” he said.

Musk predicted that Model Y would outsell the Model 3, Model X and Model S ultra-luxury sedan combined.

In terms of size, Model Y is 10 percent bigger than the Model 3 and can seat seven. There will be a panoramic glass roof and 66 cubic feet of cargo space.

Customers can pre-order the Model Y via Tesla’s website with a $2,500 payment.

Tesla plans to roll out four different versions of the new SUV including A standard-range Y, with a one-time charging can give 230 miles of range and a top speed of 120 miles per hour. This standard version is priced at $39,000 and will be delivered in the spring of 2021.

Others include 300 miles of range and top-speed 130 miles per hour and $47,000 as price.

The dual-motor model with 280 miles of range and a top speed of 135 miles per hour will be priced $51,000. The delivery will be in the fall of 2020.

The performance Model will have 280 miles of range and a top speed of 150 miles per hour and carry the maximum price of $60,000.

Rising demand for SUVs

In the American market, the demand for sport utility vehicles has been going up over the years.

New models are entering the market to unseat entrenched best-sellers including Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV 4 and Honda CR-V.

Although While Musk called Model Y a mid-size model, many industry experts would classify it as a compact SUV since its architectural platform and 75 percent of the parts are that of Model 3.

According to analysts, from a design point of view Model Y can be called a hatchback version of the Model 3.