Ford fought hard to prevent Tesla from using the “Model E” name, and now we know why. According to Automotive News, Ford is planning to use Model E as the name to a family of compact vehicles, all of which will be powered by different forms of electric configurations.

Based on the report, the Blue Oval appears to be developing the Model E as part of the company’s aggressive push towards introducing an armada of EV models into its lineup. The automaker previously said that it would invest $4.5 billion in EV models as part of a long-term plan to develop as many as 13 hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicle lines by 2020.

The Model E looks to be the first wave of these models and the Automotive News report suggests that it could come in different body styles with a compact car and compact crossover being the likeliest styles to carry the name. In addition, the vehicles will also feature a multitude of powertrains, each coming with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and a pure electric vehicle that’s expected to carry a range close to 200 miles per charge.

Ford’s Model E strategy has drawn similarities to the Hyundai Ioniq, a lineup of mid-sized EV hatchbacks that will also carry hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric versions. The big difference between the Ioniq and Ford’s planned Model E lineup is that the American automaker isn’t limiting the model to just one body type like Hyundai did with its model.

Ford is expected to start production for the Model E in the spring of 2019 at its production facility in Mexico. The goal, at least as far as the Blue Oval is concerned, is to have the Model E serve as a direct rival to the Chevrolet Bolt and the Tesla Model 3, the same model that Tesla planned to use the Model E name before it was shut down by Ford.

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The biggest takeaway here is how aggressive Ford is in establishing its lineup of EV models. It’s not surprising that the American automaker is making this move since everybody else is doing the same thing. What’s a little surprising - and the good kind of surprise at that - is the strategy to expand the Model E into multiple models.

This affords Ford the opportunity to offer these models to a wider range of customers while also covering multiple EV powertrains in the process. That’s a sound move considering how competitive the segment is shaping up to be with so many companies vying for the public’s attention.

The Model E strategy ties into Ford’s overarching plan to infiltrate the EV market with as many as 13 new models. Even though the company has refused to comment on the matter, it does appear that the Model E will be the first of these models and if it is, you can be sure that Ford will try to put its best foot forward in not only living up to the enormous investment it has put into EV models, but more importantly, into giving the market the vehicles that it deserves.

It’ll be interesting to see how the development for the Model E vehicles push forward from here, but you can be sure that Ford is going to have all hands on deck to ensure that these new EV models will be as good as advertised.