Ford to Expand Mach-E's Early Access Program For OTA Updates

Looks like Q3 OTA for the Frunk release via screen, FordPass app and even the driver door keypad.


FORD TO EXPAND THE MUSTANG MACH-E’S EARLY ACCESS PROGRAM – OTA SOFTWARE UPDATES

https://evbite.com/ford-to-expand-the-mustang-mach-es-early-access-program/

April 21, 2021

With this push towards a technologically focused landscape, OTA software updates are becoming a critical aspect of the automotive world. As one of the first to follow Tesla’s lead, Ford has made their first new-age EV, the Mustang Mach-E, Ford OTA compatible. Rather than use the compatibility for minor bug fixes, as seen with other automakers, Ford looks to improve upon the ownership experience with continuous additions to their vehicles.



Ford’s first OTA software update, admittingly lifeless, has come and went with nothing outside of “minor bug fixes” taking place. Now, thanks to a leaked internal document obtained by EVBite, we can expect another around the corner.

The next Ford software update, currently planned for Q3 2021, can expect the following additions:

• Front trunk release soft button added to center stack touchscreen
• Front trunk release button added to FordPass app
• Front trunk release via 7/8 button suppression on driver door
• keypad
• In-front-trunk release button functional

The company has been open to ideas in regards to new Mustang Mach-E features in the past. Most recently updating their FordPass Mustang Mach-E app to now display the vehicles charge status.




Ford’s Early Access Program
Taking advice a step further, the company has willingly introduced an Early Access Program to better gauge user feedback and suggestions. Initially, the program was stricken to just 740 Ford employees but the company is now looking to expand that number.

Interestingly this new batch of invites seems to focus on testing unreleased features. What those features entail is anyone’s guess.

Tesla has brought OTA into the forefront with their constant and innovative software updates. Not only have they brought cool new features like whoopie cushions and Netflix but substantial services like improvements to 0-60 times and ranges have further developed the overall ownership experience. Ford has promised more than the lackluster bug fixes but as of now, nothing is yet to be seen.

Invites are expected to go out beginning April 26th with no confirmation on whether the Early Access Program will remain exclusive to Ford employees or be available to some public owners. The program is currently limited to a small random few but Ford notes the possibility of expanding it even further in the future.

Q3?!?!?

Plutoman15 said:

Q3?!?!?

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Yeah... that's a long time for such a basic feature update. Plus all the TSBs that have been posted on here that require in-dealer updates... not giving me a lot of confidence they're really going to support us existing customers.

I really hope that's not Q3 for any new updates. I really want my profile saved right.

what happened to having 2 updates this Spring? The first seemed like a test and the second was to add preconditioning logic for charging. At least that is what the rumors were based on hints from Ford.

Maybe we still will but this article makes it seem like nothing until Q3.

the third quarter of the year is 8 days over two months from now. It’s not that far away.

• Front trunk release soft button added to center stack touchscreen

I wonder if this would actually save any time or be any easier vs just pulling the lever twice...

If they add frunk release to FordPass, it is possible that it would be easy to control with Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant. Right now, you can do stuff like unlock/lock or check the charge status, etc. with those assistants connected to FordPass.

This is one thing that concerns me still trying to decide between EV brands. With a brand new vehicle that has a number of bugs you would think they'd be releasing updates monthly or something.

As I understand it there's been 1 so far with only minor bug fixes, and this next one is slated for Q3 with minor enhancements and bug fixes,

Is anything published anywhere to how long Ford will support each model year? When the 2022 comes out how long are they going to keep up with updates for the 2021?

Just a Guess, but the MachE is THE platform that Ford is using to showcase Technology, Updates, etc;. They are marketing the updates, constant improvement so I would think, support will throughout most of the platforms life.

snikt said:

This is one thing that concerns me still trying to decide between EV brands. With a brand new vehicle that has a number of bugs you would think they'd be releasing updates monthly or something.

As I understand it there's been 1 so far with only minor bug fixes, and this next one is slated for Q3 with minor enhancements and bug fixes,

Is anything published anywhere to how long Ford will support each model year? When the 2022 comes out how long are they going to keep up with updates for the 2021?

Click to expand...

It's been 4 months since sales began and there's been 1 update so far. I already feel like Ford abandoned the Mach-E.

SteelMach said:

It's been 4 months since sales began and there's been 1 update so far. I already feel like Ford abandoned the Mach-E.

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It's very concerning to me as a prospective buyer, I'm not loyal to Tesla or anything but I just checked and after the Model 3 was released there was 6 updates just in the first 4 months.

Lots of new features added, some performance, and lots of bug fixes

Fake news. For many of us, Ford’s first OTA never came.

Kamuelaflyer said:

the third quarter of the year is 8 days over two months from now. It’s not that far away.

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Lol they’ll miss that one too!

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