ANNOUNCEMENT today of Ford New Zealand having joined the primary independent pressure group for electric vehicle uptake isn’t a signal it is any closer to including the Blue Oval’s first fully-fledged battery-compelled car, the Mustang Mach E, into its portfolio.

This today from the brand’s communications manager, Tom Clancy, who says there is still no clarity as to when, or even if, the five-seater sports utility might be sold here.