The Ford Bronco EV is real, but don’t get too excited

The electric Ford Bronco is rolling off the production line, but not in the US, as you would expect. This one is made in China.

Ford Bronco EV production kicks off in China

China gets another cool new electric vehicle that the US will miss out on. The electric Bronco is now rolling off the production line at Ford’s Nanchang, China, manufacturing plant.

On December 12, Ford announced the Bronco EV, or what it calls the “All-Terrain Camping SUV,” has entered mass production. The SUV rolled off the assembly line as the 200,00th vehicle built at the facility.

The plant is part of Ford’s joint venture with Jiangling Motors Group (JMC) and currently produces other Ford, Lincoln, and JMC vehicles.

Earlier this year, the JV invested RMB 300 million ($42.5 million) in upgrades to produce new energy vehicles (NEVs), starting with the electric Bronco.

The electric SUV looks nearly identical to the one sold in the US, but it draws power from a 105.4 kWh battery supplied by BYD’s FinDreams, delivering a CLTC driving range of 650 km (404 miles).

It’s equipped with a dual-motor (AWD) powertrain, packing a combined 445 horsepower (332 kW). The EREV version uses a 43.7 kWh battery and a 1.5T engine, good for 220 km (137 miles) all-electric range. Combined, it delivers a driving range of 1,220 km (758 miles).

The interior is custom-tailored for Chinese buyers with modern tech and features. It even includes a built-in 7.5L refrigerator.

A 15.6″ infotainment sits at the center with a smaller driver cluster. Ford also offers an optional 70″ AR head-up display (HUD).

The Bronco EV is 5,025 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 1,825 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, which is about the same size as the standard version sold in the US.

Ford opened orders for the Bronco EV last month with pre-sale prices starting at RMB 229,800 ($32,300). Although it is available with a fully electric (EV) powertrain, it’s also offered as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV).

The electric Bronco is available in China in three variants, priced from RMB 229,800 ($32,300) to RMB 282,800 ($40,000).

While Ford is planning to build a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Bronco at its Valencia assembly plant in Spain for Europe, the American automaker still has no plans to launch a fully electric version in the US. We’ll keep wishing.