With the surge in demand for electric vehicles, Ford finds a promising outlook in its large gas-operated sport utility vehicle.

In an interesting turn of events, Ford's iconic Expedition SUV is experiencing a surge in sales, hitting its best numbers in 21 years. This resurgence comes as buyers are rushing to purchase electric vehicles (EVs) ahead of the end of a federal tax credit this month, indicating a growing demand for both traditional and electric vehicles.

The Expedition, assembled at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant, has a traditional internal combustion engine and is available in popular models such as the Platinum, Tremor, and King Ranch, with prices starting around $74,000. The latest model was unveiled in October and started shipping about five months ago.

Despite the growing trend towards EVs, Ford has prioritised the development of hybrid models over electric ones. The company's profit engine has been large trucks and SUVs for decades, and this strategy seems to be paying off as the Expedition's sales outperform Ford's overall sales.

In August alone, Ford sold 8,724 Expedition SUVs, a 53.7% increase from the same time last year. This growth is even more impressive when considering that Ford's EV sales were up 19.3% in August from the same period last year.

Ford's main rival in the large vehicle segment is General Motors, but new competitors such as the Jeep Wagoneer from Stellantis and large three-row crossovers from Kia and Hyundai have also entered the market. However, Ford hasn't yet released a three-row electric SUV, a move that some of its competitors have already made.

Ford CEO Jim Farley acknowledged the company's slower pace in the electric vehicle transition, stating that Ford is "out of sync, in a good way" with its competitors. Ford canceled plans for a three-row electric SUV a year ago, but it seems the Expedition's success may indicate a different approach is working for the automaker.

One factor contributing to the Expedition's popularity is its appeal to families, according to Ford's Mark Levine. The spacious and powerful SUV offers a practical solution for those seeking a larger vehicle.

Meanwhile, General Motors also set an all-time monthly record for EV sales in August, indicating a growing interest in electric vehicles. As the auto industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Ford's strategy unfolds and whether the Expedition's success will continue in the face of increasing competition from electric vehicles.

With the surge in demand for electric vehicles, Ford finds a promising outlook in its large gas-operated sport utility vehicle.