Ford has hailed the achievement of adventurer Lexie Alford in completing the first round the world trip made in an electric vehicle through a live homecoming celebration in Nice, France, devised and executed by global experience design company Imagination.
The event saw the New All-Electric Ford Explorer lead an convoy of Ford vehicles from past and present across the finish line of the record-breaking 30,000-kilometre journey.
The celebration marks the culmination of Lexie’s groundbreaking trip, showcasing the fusion of innovation, adventure, and sustainability, heralding a new era for Ford in Europe.
Imagination managed the key handover at IAA Mobility, Munich, in September 2023, before Lexie embarked on her epic adventure from Nice. Joining in the excitement, Ford leaders Jim Farley and Martin Sander lent their voices alongside Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jodie Kidd, and Corey Henderson, capturing every moment of the event.
The production included over 20 live streams, 15 cameras, helicopters, and drones strategically positioned to capture the iconic scene unfolding on the streets of Nice. This ‘homecoming with a difference’ provided a suitably epic acknowledgement of Lexie Alford and The New All-Electric Ford Explorer for audiences worldwide.
The world record, verified by RecordSetter, meticulously monitored Lexie’s journey across various locations worldwide. To achieve this feat, Lexie and the Explorer traversed more than 30,000 kilometres, passing through two antipodean points and travelling across six continents, with the journey commencing and concluding at the same location.
The New All-Electric Ford Explorer, launched last March 2023 by Imagination with the Virtual Test Drive, is claimed to embody the pinnacle of automotive innovation, heralding a new era of sustainable exploration.
Ford Model e Europe general manager Martin Sander said: “Lexie’s journey has been the ultimate test drive for our new Ford Explorer, taking on every kind of weather and road condition, and dealing with just about every charging scenario. It embodies the true ‘can do’ spirit of this company, seizing this great opportunity to not only test ourselves but also the world’s charging infrastructure. It proves just what you can do in the new all-electric Ford Explorer, and we’re delighted that customers will soon be able to find out for themselves.”
Imagination business and strategy director Paul Cowan added: “Ford’s live Homecoming celebration represents a pivotal milestone in their electrification journey. From the innovative Virtual Test Drive in March to today’s record-breaking achievement, Ford has consistently led the charge in shaping the future of electrification.
“We firmly believe in leveraging the power of experiences to create compelling content that resonates with audiences on an emotional and rational level and stimulates a meaningful response. We look forward to continued collaboration in producing innovative content that pushes boundaries and inspires progress.”
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