Team Edison where are you??

[DaMeatMan]

@Ford Motor Company this is going to be a bit of a rant, that I think you really need to hear, and I'm going to encourage folks to air the grievances here as well because I think you need to hear it.

First off, where are you Team Edison? I'm asking because it was my understanding that this team was built to get around the red tape and bureaucracy that would have never allowed Ford to build the Mach-E, and that very same bureaucracy would have surely run Ford Motor Company into the ground.

What bureaucracy? Let me share this 1 min snippet that I think eloquently summarizes how your company is run, and what I believe Team Edison was designed to avoid:


That said, you folks DID build the Mach-E, and the Mach-E was a FANTASTIC EFFORT at your first real EV, but it seems to me that you folks stopped short and called it a day as if the job was done with that initial release.

As an outsider looking in it seems to me like your hardware development went through Team Edison, while your software development went through the same old antiquated conservative, boring nonsensical beurocratic process that you were trying to avoid with Team Edison.

Here's just a snippet of what I mean by that:

1) The driver facing instrument cluster is completely NON-CUSTOMIZABLE. You folks have more customization in a Ford Escape, or a ten year old Ford of virtually any model with a digital screen, yet in your FLAGSHIP PRODUCT, you give the customer literally zero customization options?? Why in the world do you think this is OK?? ? Not to mention that you recently broke the animations via a software update, and any sort of differentiating meager customization that was there between drive modes, yet I've received several updates since then and this is not fixes. I won't beat a dead horse here, but the forum is filled with posts about the update 6.1.8.0 I believe which broke the centered speedometer, placed a silly usless car icon in the center (regardless of driving aids on or off), and forced the speedometer to the side which is exactly where most folks have their hands. The forum is filled with pissed off customers ranting about this, you obviously know about it, yet software update after software update, does not resolve it... why??

2) You hide REQUIRED and USEFUL INFORMATION from your customers, by refusing to show us charge rate, regen rate, battery temp, power de-rating, etc.. why? Do you think customers are to dumb to understand what this means? Do you think it would overwhelm us? Why does a 10 year old Nissan leaf ?, and virtually EVERY OTHER EV released since then, display this info to the driver, by your bleeding edge flagship product tells me one thing ans one thing only.. my speed, and that is basically it. Why Ford?? Why are you ok with this???

3) Why do you simply refuse to give us one simple generic battery slider setting that allows us to set the GLOBAL max charge percentage limit no matter where (geographically) I plug in to charge. Why have do I have to fiddle with this setting at every single new location in order to prevent the battery from charging to 100% BY DEFAULT!? You tell us to charge to a max of 90% for daily use, but your default logic LITERALLY CHARGES TO 100% unless the customer intervenes by defining the max charge rate for that particular location. Drive down the street and plug in, guess what, I have to intervention again, and again and again.. everyone else does this differently with one unified global setting, and it works, yet somehow you think this absurd logic is OK?? Why??

4) Battery preconditioning... not only did it take years for you to implement this after your initial product release, but you did so in a way that REQUIRES the customer to use your built-in navigation. Why?? Your built-in navigation, and virtually every built-in navigation from any vendor is inferior to what is available to every single customer via carplay or android auto with Google maps. Why Don't you just give us a button that says "precondition", and then start preconditioning the battery for the next 20 or 30 min ON DEMAND, so that everyone can precondition no matter what navigation solution they use. Furthermore, if I know where the charging locations are on my route, and if I don't want to mess with my navigation, why can't I just press one single button, 30 min before my arrival? Instead, we have to jump through hoops, waste our time fiddling with an inferior navigation system, in order to save the 20 or 30 min required to bring our batteries up to temp in the dead of winter so it doesn't just charge at 20 or 30kwhr. Why Ford???

5) I'm a Canadian and while I see my American neighbors with the EXACT SAME CAR get to enjoy YouTube entertainment in their vehicles, for some reason you thought your Canadian customers were not worthy of this? There can be absolutely no good reason why you don't allow this, particularly when you control the software, you know when the car is stationary and parked, and or when the car is in motion. So from a saftey perspective this can't possibly be the reason why? Also my understanding is that your just utilizing the web browser (which is already there) and this can't possibly be a licensing issue for a YouTube app in Canada.. so what gives? Be consistent in what you offer your customers!

Your first product was released over 3 years ago, and all of the above is just software, that COULD HAVE been improved at any time via a very simple over the air update if someone over there actually cared about the user experience, but for some reason these issues (and so many others) which I'm sure others will tell you about, end up at the bottom of the list of your priorities, yet your still releasing BRAND NEW REFRESHED DESIGNS, that has all these same silly nonsensical software issues, and that tells me that your not taking this seriously. The competition is absolutely fierce out there, there are so many product offerings out on the market right that directly compete with you, and your dropping the ball hard on absolutely silly low hanging fruit that can easily be fixed by a junior software developer. Why Ford??

The Mach-E could be so much better, the hardware is there, the asthetic and apealing design is there, but you CHOSE to fall short on software... and you even poached the software guy that was working on the Apple car... how is this even possible or acceptable to you almost 4 years into the release of a flagship product that you are heavily leaning into for your very survival as a company? I just don't get it, but perhaps you can enlighten me?

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[medriver]

This is a fun rant. I was at the service center recently and I noticed the average age of the customer there was like >65, may have been older and considering some of the interactions on this forum, I firmly believe that the aging demographic is certainly a factor on the design and implementation choices in this car.

My thoughts are 3 is a weird edge case but I guess valid, it tries to keep track of your charging sessions I bet someone thought it was a good idea to be able to name and customize them based on their geolocation, hence why each one has to be set. It would be equally burdensome to have a global setting because which would have primacy, it's a wash, plus fordpass 5 makes changing the charge limit easy. I would assume 4 is a software security and cooperation issue and for 5 the youtube app sucks, and you realize how horrible the color rendition is on the screen, your not missing much.

The current driver display implementation provides information on nearly all driving and assistance features at one time without significant customer interaction. I think wanting to turn off all the ADAS features that literally add thousands if not a tenner of dollars of cost to the car is such an odd choice and thinking, but I guess to each their own. Having the power meter only on the higher trims is a funny choice, they deserve grief for that one.

 

[Sikkun]

I’m willing to bet, most people, not even just old people, want their car to go from A to B, more than watching YouTube on another device.

 

[DaMeatMan]

This is a fun rant. I was at the service center recently and I noticed the average age of the customer there was like >65, may have been older and considering some of the interactions on this forum, I firmly believe that the aging demographic is certainly a factor on the design and implementation choices in this car.

My thoughts are 3 is a weird edge case but I guess valid, it tries to keep track of your charging sessions I bet someone thought it was a good idea to be able to name and customize them based on their geolocation, hence why each one has to be set. It would be equally burdensome to have a global setting because which would have primacy, it's a wash, plus fordpass 5 makes changing the charge limit easy. I would assume 4 is a software security and cooperation issue and for 5 the youtube app sucks, your not missing much.

Not to pour cold water on your argument, I'm not entirely sure it holds much water, and likely even contradicts itself a bit in the sense that while you point to an older demographic that (may) be a reason why they don't want to confuse the customer, you also point to the fact that Ford Pass 5 makes changing the charge limit easy. I don't know about you, but my Dad and most 65+ year Olds I know aren't too tech savvy, and they aren't likely to use a phone app to control their car.

Not to mention that the demographic that Ford was likely targeting here with the Mach-E in particular was likely the 30's to 40's year Olds who have a family, but don't want to feel dead inside driving a mini van as they haul around their kids to soccer practice, so they bought something fun, sporty and utilitarian with the Mustang badge, that they could feel proud of. As a 43 year old, who bought my Mach-e when I was 40, that is exactly what was going through my mind when it was time to replace my last vehicle.

Also the global charge limit logic is very simple, and there are no conflicts about what setting should take precedence when you think it through logically. A simple global (non-location) based slider on the charging screen (which already shows us a big battery graphic by the way), would define the MAX charge allowed at any location which is not defined. Meaning I go down the street and charge at my buddies house, and it respects that global setting. Ford ships this car to the dealer, and they plug it in to top it off for the customers, it respects that setting (which should be 90% by the way by default), rather than the 100% I goy when I picked up my vehicle. Now say I want to charge at home, and for the most part I only need it to get around for daily chores and a short commute, so now I define my home as a charge location and I set the max charge to 80% or less for max longevity and daily use. Simple.. no conflicts or issues there. So what's the problem?

 

[DaMeatMan]

I’m willing to bet, most people, not even just old people, want their car to go from A to B, more than watching YouTube on another device.

In which case I would say sure that's probably true. But that said, why even bother releasing the feature in the first place, if your going to limit it to only customers in the US? Be consistent in your product offering, and those who want to use it will use it, and (that's their choice), but not being given that choice for no good reason beyond my border, is pretty annoying.

 

[Snakebitten]

I'm not sure I would classify the OP as a rant.
It's a well thought out customer feedback post, instead.

Too bad this forum and the tagged Ford account will be far short of the eyes/ears at Ford that should see/hear it.

 

[medriver]

Not to pour cold water on your argument, I'm not entirely sure it holds much water, and likely even contradicts itself a bit in the sense that while you point to an older demographic that (may) be a reason why they don't want to confuse the customer, you also point to the fact that Ford Pass 5 makes changing the charge limit easy. I don't know about you, but my Dad and most 65+ year Olds aren't too tech savvy, and they aren't likely to use a phone app to control their car.

Not to mention that the demographic that Ford was likely targeting here with the Mach-E in particular was likely the 30's to 40's year Olds who have a family, but don't want to feel dead inside driving a mini van as they haul around their kids to soccer practice, so they bought something fun, sporty and utilitarian with the Mustang badge, that they could feel proud of. As a 43 year old, who bought my Mach-e when I was 40, that is exactly what was going through my mind when it was time to replace my last vehicle.

Also the global charge limit logic is very simple, and there are no conflicts about what setting should take precedence when you think it through logically. A simple global (non-location) based slider on the charging screen (which already shows us a big battery graphic by the way), would define the MAX charge allowed at any location which is not defined. Meaning I go down the street and charge at my buddies house, and it respects that global setting. Ford ships this car to the dealer, and they plug it in to top it off for the customers, it respects that setting (which should be 90% by the way by default), rather than the 100% I goy when I picked up my vehicle. Now say I want to charge at home, and for the most part I only need it to get around for daily chores and a short commute, so now I define my home as a charge location and I set the max charge to 80% or less for max longevity and daily use. Simple.. no conflicts or issues there. So what's the problem?

I think your on the wrong side of the global charge limit thing, while the enthusiast in us understands that the NCM batteries benefit from not being charged to 100%, for joe public, there is absolutely no benefit of limiting the charge you just risk "running out of gas" which is a completely unacceptable outcome, if the wear from charging would put Ford on the hook for the batteries, it would be there.

While I love complaining as much as the next person you have to realize every feature needs to meet the needs of the broadest demographics and a significant portion of the complaints are laser focused to just a small proportion.

 

[RSF]

Not the first thread implying older owners are not tech savvy. I am well north of 65 and and have a complete understanding of this car and I use my phone for everything. My wife is even a little further along then me in years and controls her Mod 3 with her phone exclusively as well. There are many younger contributors to this forum that don't have a clue about the tech.

 

[medriver]

Not the first thread implying older owners are not tech savvy. I am well north of 65 and and have a complete understanding of this car and I use my phone for everything. My wife is even a little further along then me in years and controls her Mod 3 with her phone exclusively as well. There are many younger contributors to this forum that don't have a clue about the tech.

My point was more that Ford appears to be more inclusive to and cater to many demographics then say a certain carmaker that starts with a T.

 

[DaMeatMan]

I think your on the wrong side of the global charge limit thing, while the enthusiast in us understands that the NCM batteries benefit from not being charged to 100%, for joe public, there is absolutely no benefit of limiting the charge you just risk "running out of gas" which is a completely unacceptable outcome, if the wear from charging would put Ford on the hook for the batteries, it would be there.

While I love complaining as much as the next person you have to realize every feature needs to meet the needs of the broadest demographics and a significant portion of the complaints are laser focused to just a small proportion.

That's an interesting take on this. So you believe that Ford is intentionally designing their cars to charge to 100% every single day to cater to those who couldn't care less to intervene? That sounds like a risky move, particularly given how conservative Ford is as a company, and would potentially and (knowingly) open themselves up to a large number of warranty claims on what is actually the most expensive part of the vehicle (the battery) several years down the road.

Honestly I have a hard time believing that they would do this intentionally, and a more likely explanation is simply sloppy programming logic. But of course that's just my opinion, and my opinion is no more correct than your own. But I would love to know what Ford was actually thinking here.

The fact that they (or someone on another team) decided to try and address this in the new Ford Pass 5, suggests to me like this wasn't intentional though.

 

[JoanS]

Not the first thread implying older owners are not tech savvy. I am well north of 65 and and have a complete understanding of this car and I use my phone for everything. My wife is even a little further along then me in years and controls her Mod 3 with her phone exclusively as well. There are many younger contributors to this forum that don't have a clue about the tech.

This 100%!! I'm 71 AND a woman (not that that should matter). I got this car for the tech, not entirely the environmental impact of EVs. I don't frequently use the app, not because I don't understand it, but because I don't find it useful. I can tell from reading this board there are a lot of tech nerds on here, and that's fine, I understand. But. please don't sell us boomers short. I love this car, my lease is up in Jan and I''ll be leasing another.

 

[medriver]

That's an interesting take on this. So you believe that Ford is intentionally designing their cars to charge to 100% every single day to cater to those who couldn't care less to intervene? That sounds like a risky move, particularly given how conservative Ford is as a company, and would potentially and (knowingly) open themselves up to a large number of warranty claims on what is actually the most expensive part of the vehicle (the battery) several years down the road.

Honestly I have a hard time believing that they would do this intentionally, and a more likely explanation is simply sloppy programming logic. But of course that's just my opinion, and my opinion is no more correct than your own. But I would love to know what Ford was actually thinking here.

The fact that they (or someone on another team) decided to try and address this in the new Ford Pass 5, suggests to me like this wasn't intentional though.

Your just underestimating how things are engineered. It would make no sense to release the car and not let it be capable of being constantly charge to 100%, ford knows it wears the battery, and initially they software gated a significant portion in order to compensate for concern of this eventuality, then realized it didn't matter and released it the consumer anyway. If charging to 100% caused irreparable damage to the vehicle with any certainty I would redefine what 100% was.

 

[DaMeatMan]

This 100%!! I'm 71 AND a woman (not that that should matter). I got this car for the tech, not entirely the environmental impact of EVs. I don't frequently use the app, not because I don't understand it, but because I don't find it useful. I can tell from reading this board there are a lot of tech nerds on here, and that's fine, I understand. But. please don't sell us boomers short. I love this car, my lease is up in Jan and I''ll be leasing another.

Your both right, and I'll admit it was a pretty unfair generalization. My apologies!

 

[Deleted member 19354]

I’m willing to bet, most people, not even just old people, want their car to go from A to B, more than watching YouTube on another device.

I was at a 30min charge and missed the Today Show but I can watch it on my tablet or mobile phone

 

[medriver]

I mean I hope for improvements to the car as much as the next person but you have to be practical as well. Things are (properly) designed are designed well and also for the lowest common denominator. Occasionally we redefine what "good" and although I have not given it significant reflection other than maybe the body styling not much else is groundbreaking for this car.

I think what I find most interesting is that for example my car has an ABS software update. Not many people think about ABS often but this is a system that requires maximum uptime and maximum reliability, so you don't die.

So why is it being updated? Is the ABS system name just misnomer and the update is for something else, maybe how the abs communicates with other modules has changed? I find choices that like much more fascinating.

The way the software is handled on this car makes it feel much more like a prototype. It feels like a series of scrum sprints but nobody really has the big picture all mapped out, but my best guess the absolutely chaotic OTA process is probably that big picture and its both complex and seemingly confusing.

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