Lighted Pony Project (back it!)

supared

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I know this is something that non-GT owners have wanted for quite some time. I've done the feasibility and initial design work to bring all Mach-E owners an OEM quality illuminated Pony badge upgrade for their front bumper.
The high capital barrier makes this risky for one individual investing, especially since it is a product only for Mach-E owners. I do believe the interest is there, but I've decided Kickstarter is the perfect platform for this. If enough people back the project early, I will put forward my capital to advance the project to start delivering parts in mid-late March. There are also some big advantages to backing early.
Among my goals is to have as much made in the USA as possible. I have to balance that with delivering your parts considering things like semi-conductor availability, but things like injection molded parts, circuit board assembly, and final assembly are certainties.
If you will, please share the project and get the word out. I've only given a few weeks to get it funded, because I don't want people waiting 4-6 months to get their Pony's.

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Gullwingdmc

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This looks amazing!! I know a lot of people have been waiting for something like this.

Watching the video though I wanted to ask why the right side of the logo seemed to be brighter than the rest. I know it’s a prototype, I just wanted to check.
 
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supared

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This looks amazing!! I know a lot of people have been waiting for something like this.

Watching the video though I wanted to ask why the right side of the logo seemed to be brighter than the rest. I know it’s a prototype, I just wanted to check.
Great question. Simple answer: it is. I can make the light distribution even on this version, but I learned what I needed to learn and didn't think it important. From the learning, I developed another approach and design I believe will be superior. l will create one more prototype of both, and the light distribution will be even on both versions. The better of the two designs will go to production.
 

stmache

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Was hoping someone would develop this for the non-GT models.

I got in on the Pole Position! Looking forward to your success in getting this off the ground.
 

RickMachE

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Question - the Mustang Pony is a trademark of Ford. You are duplicating their design. What makes you think they won't come after you with a lawyer letter in the next week, as soon as their social media people on this forum see your post?

While some of the other products marketed for this car, including some marketed on this site, also seem to be "borrowing" things they don't own, they're located in China, not the US, and didn't provide their name to Ford... One that comes to mind is AOSK's 18 pcs cup holder insert, which also has a pony on it.
 


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Sadly being on Kickstarter I would never help fund this because they don't care about backers at all as long as they get their cut. I've been robbed in one too many Kickstarters (even helped buy some Canadian Douchebag a house a-la Peachy Printer).
 
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supared

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Sadly being on Kickstarter I would never help fund this because they don't care about backers at all as long as they get their cut. I've been robbed in one too many Kickstarters (even helped buy some Canadian Douchebag a house a-la Peachy Printer).
Sorry to hear that. As one person already mentioned, my name and information is attached to this. There is no way I would stiff fellow MME owners. But I understand.
 
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supared

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Question - the Mustang Pony is a trademark of Ford. You are duplicating their design. What makes you think they won't come after you with a lawyer letter in the next week, as soon as their social media people on this forum see your post?

While some of the other products marketed for this car, including some marketed on this site, also seem to be "borrowing" things they don't own, they're located in China, not the US, and didn't provide their name to Ford... One that comes to mind is AOSK's 18 pcs cup holder insert, which also has a pony on it.
It is a component I am working. At this stage though, the Kickstarter project is just a collection of Mach-E owners making their own light-up emblem. No company and company profits, limited to a few hundred people at most, and not a guarantee to launch.
Right now, it is a concept and the Kickstarter almost serves as a test market. Once a viable product is complete, if this were to be marketed as a product in the future it would not be done so without finalizing a licensing agreement.
I think there is precedence with a product like this:
https://www.cjponyparts.com/x-lume-...2hcHg1v5-CtugVDm90-CQ5TAJFES5BexoC2nwQAvD_BwE
 

Gullwingdmc

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Question - the Mustang Pony is a trademark of Ford. You are duplicating their design. What makes you think they won't come after you with a lawyer letter in the next week, as soon as their social media people on this forum see your post?
I totally get that, but have you ever searched Mustang Mach-E on Etsy, eBay or Amazon? There’s tons of things that just flat out use the logos, not even an interpretation of it. I think Ford understands that people are enthusiastic about their brand and doesn’t want to squash that. At least for smaller makers.
 

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I totally get that, but have you ever searched Mustang Mach-E on Etsy, eBay or Amazon? There’s tons of things that just flat out use the logos, not even an interpretation of it. I think Ford understands that people are enthusiastic about their brand and doesn’t want to squash that. At least for smaller makers.
Different animal. This is a Kickstarter campaign. Ford could send a letter to Kickstarter and kill it.
 

Gullwingdmc

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Different animal. This is a Kickstarter campaign. Ford could send a letter to Kickstarter and kill it.
They definitely could. They could send a letter to Etsy or eBay too. Hopefully that doesn’t happen.
 

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It is a component I am working. At this stage though, the Kickstarter project is just a collection of Mach-E owners making their own light-up emblem. No company and company profits, limited to a few hundred people at most, and not a guarantee to launch.
Right now, it is a concept and the Kickstarter almost serves as a test market. Once a viable product is complete, if this were to be marketed as a product in the future it would not be done so without finalizing a licensing agreement.
I think there is precedence with a product like this:
https://www.cjponyparts.com/x-lume-...2hcHg1v5-CtugVDm90-CQ5TAJFES5BexoC2nwQAvD_BwE
Any estimate of the final cost Of one lit up pony?
 
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supared

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I totally get that, but have you ever searched Mustang Mach-E on Etsy, eBay or Amazon? There’s tons of things that just flat out use the logos, not even an interpretation of it. I think Ford understands that people are enthusiastic about their brand and doesn’t want to squash that. At least for smaller makers.
Also, if they squash it for us now, another Asian manufacturer free of those constraints will bring it to market in the next few months. I genuinely believe we should support the return to onshore industry capability and strive for a healthy balance in the future.

Some other thoughts:
• If Ford wants to stop it at this stage, I am sure they can. I do not have any interest in a fight. Backers would not lose anything, but those owners would definitely feel disenfranchised. On the contrary though, I am hopeful they will support the ultimate proposition.
• Ford, with the Mustang brand, has a long history of after-market support. That symbiotic relationship is what made it one of the most successful vehicles in history.
• That passion to personalize our Ponies continues with the Mach-E despite fewer things to modify compared to ICE vehicles. If they take away our limited early opportunities to modify our cars, then it is true that the Mach-E is Not a Mustang.
• I am very hopeful Ford will help support a healthy after-market to continue drawing customers in and making the Mach-E a sustained success and EV market leader.
 

Carsinmyblood

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What does the OEM part cost from Ford? Does it fit the non-GT emblem relief? If Ford's part is affordable and it fits... I can hear Dennis O'Leary saying "I'm out".

If you need to make a new part, go for it, but it has to be cheap enough to be an impulse buy.
 
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supared

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Any estimate of the final cost Of one lit up pony?
Current target is $265. That is dependent on a number of factors, and if that number can be lower it will be. For now though, the main focus is the Kickstarter
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