A mile of extra wire

[HondaRacer]

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/04/business/automakers-problems-catching-up-with-tesla/index.html

Sounds like Ford is learning some important lessons to apply to the next generation MME.

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[Ghost Ryder]

I have decided not to buy 1st generation EVs any longer. The learning curve is just too great.

Can't wait till there's more EVs to choose from. hopefully it'll bring down the cost. We need more competition.

 

[kltye]

“We didn’t know that we underinvested in braking technology to save on the battery size.”

This is the most interesting part to me. I wonder what exactly that means, because I don't see a direct correlation between battery size (capacity?) vs braking.

 

[Mrn]

I'm wondering where this 'mile of wires' is located. He mentioned harnesses. I was thinking motor windings. Anyone privy to all this extra wire? ??

 

[kdonnel]

I'm wondering where this 'mile of wires' is located. He mentioned harnesses. I was thinking motor windings. Anyone privy to all this extra wire? ??

I think it is extra in how things are interconnected. They now see how the interconnections could have been done more efficiently.

I think it is no different than when the experts first had a look under the hood with the tub pulled out. The maze of cooling hoses compared to those in a Tesla is substantially more.

Like anything iteration will result in improvements. The biggest gains will come in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th generations. As the automakers get more experience the gains will be much smaller between iterations.

This is where GM really seems to have squandered their lead. They had such a head start with the EV1, Volt, and Bolt. That lead has long since been taken over by Tesla.

 

[JSeis]

The horror. And to think the first gen Model T was hand cranked. Technology: It’s a steep learning curve.

 

[Mrn]

I guess you can't appreciate the value of simplicity until you pay 4$/foot for 55 feet of small guage wire to a new EV charger in your garage.

 

[Maquis]

This is the most interesting part to me. I wonder what exactly that means, because I don't see a direct correlation between battery size (capacity?) vs braking.

Probably relates to spending more on better regen technology?

 

[Ma9573]

Should have this all figured out just in time for my 4 year Ford Options term to be up in November 2025 ?

 

[johnmark]

Probably relates to spending more on better regen technology?

That's what I was thinking, but it's still a little confusing. Are they saying they could have reduced the battery size with better regen tech? They did say the mach e carried a bunch of extra weight they didn't expect, which could be related to battery size, amount of wiring, or both. I'm just curious how this manifested in the final product and what would have been done differently. Perhaps when my 4 years is up, I can opt to trade in for a model where they applied these lessons.

 

[johnmark]

Should have this all figured out just in time for my 4 year Ford Options term to be up in November 2025 ?

lol beat me to it!

 

[RickMachE]

When the Mach-E came out, there was a video with the senior engineer where she explained how they used systems from existing vehicles to get to market quicker, and knew they could eventually go from 4 pumps to 2, but they would do that later. A lot of stuff was "borrowed" to get to market.

 

[woody]

Ford's regen capabilities are nothing compared to others.
A lot of room for improvement there.

 

[awp0]

That's what I was thinking, but it's still a little confusing. Are they saying they could have reduced the battery size with better regen tech? They did say the mach e carried a bunch of extra weight they didn't expect, which could be related to battery size, amount of wiring, or both. I'm just curious how this manifested in the final product and what would have been done differently. Perhaps when my 4 years is up, I can opt to trade in for a model where they applied these lessons.

yeah, I interpreted it as they could have reduced battery size with better regen tech. I think that makes a lot of sense actually.

 

[woody]

I know that GM bashing is great sport here. But, if GM is really as bad as we say, where does that leave Ford?
Tesla had many advantages out of the gate, most notably no advertising an no dealers. Have to give the guy some credit?
And I thought Tesla had some quality problems.
Still do not see the advantage of the ugly exterior design. Just so everyone can spot them a mile off? And exclaim, "What is that ugly thing?". Maybe his sole motivation.
Good thing he does not redesign the exterior appearance. Just think....
Do not care for ugly, just personal.

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