Really, thee *ONLY* question to answer

[Dmcerm]

Glad to find a fellow shareholder. I have 5000 shares of F. It pays a good dividend and likely will double in value if you can stand to wait for it.

As to Ford updating cars that they have already sold. This contrary to anything any auto manufacturer has done before with the exception of Tesla which is not burdened with dealerships.

How do you sell a new car when you gave away the feature the customer wants?

Back to dealerships. I think we should be able to buy new cars on Amazon and have them shipped to the driveway.

Yeah... I obviously have nowhere near 5,000 shares of anything, I just like to buy pieces of companies I believe in. So I'm glad I'm in even at this modest level with F.

That's kinda what the catch 22 of the OTA Update question is for Ford.
They are the traditional Legacy Auto Maker who has dealerships that need to make the bulk of their money off of servicing cars, so might Ford need, to some extent, go the route of a Tesla model, by making the Mach-E the "Line In The Sand" with dealerships?

Meaning perhaps, and I am no expert of dealership models, but from what I've learned, dealers actually don't make a huge amount of $ off each sold car, but they are allowed to make $ off of service, so if Ford goes in a more Tesla-style OTA Updates for software stuff, maybe Ford can up the % the dealership gets for EV sales vs. what they get for ICE car sales... something's gotta make it work for the dealers.
If dealers know they won't see EVs as often (no oil changes, less brake changes, no leaking exhausts etc.) to make $ off of service, perhaps a greater % of each EV sale could make the dealer system sustainable. But for basic UI updates, and such, just beam the new software to the entire Mach-E Fleet.
But again, either way, I truly believe Ford could do it and I believe they need to do it, in a darn similar way as Tesla, or I just don't think it'll take off.

Case in point, here's a screen shot of a Twitter friend who's owned his model 3 since early 2018 and all the items that were improved by OTA Updates... and we can debate the necessity of whoopie cushion sounds and video games, but seriously, just the idea that a "little" company like Tesla has this Give-It-To-Them-All mindset, has potential buyers asking why can't all cars be like that?

I mean, Tesla is proving that this sort of stuff sells cars but more importantly it builds Brand Loyalty... and we all know that there isn't much that has more brand loyalty than the Mustang which is why I believe they really must have a very similar system as Tesla, or the Ford EV push will be an 11 Billion Dollar crater they may not crawl out of...

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[Dmcerm]

Also, look at this list from a Model 3 Reddit poster... this is all OTA Updates...
No extra $ or diagnostic charges for a dealer to do something that can just DL over your WiFi... amazing.

Now granted... read through this list and I'm sure there are things Ford will have already in their Mach-E (rain sensing wipers for example) that wouldn't require an OTA Update, I get that, but seriously, look at this list, even if it isn't final or exact, look at all the stuff that was just beamed to the cars (EVERY Model 3 Regardless of range, price or trim... the fleet got all this stuff since 2017!) make them better, more efficient, more fun, but really... MORE POWERFUL, YES! BETTER BRAKING without new pads or rotors, but with just an improved braking algorithm, YES! Faster charging through power management of the on-board charging system, yes!
I mean, Tesla has Standard Range +, Mid range, Long range and performance batteries.... Ford will too, but I can almost bet that unlike Tesla, Ford won't just randomly TWICE beam better range and power increases to the Mach-E... without paying extra, or waiting for a new model year... this is what has me concerned... this is real people...

 

[MachSpeed]

That's kinda what the catch 22 of the OTA Update question is for Ford.
They are the traditional Legacy Auto Maker who has dealerships that need to make the bulk of their money off of servicing cars, so might Ford need, to some extent, go the route of a Tesla model, by making the Mach-E the "Line In The Sand" with dealerships?

Meaning perhaps, and I am no expert of dealership models, but from what I've learned, dealers actually don't make a huge amount of $ off each sold car, but they are allowed to make $ off of service, so if Ford goes in a more Tesla-style OTA Updates for software stuff, maybe Ford can up the % the dealership gets for EV sales vs. what they get for ICE car sales... something's gotta make it work for the dealers.
If dealers know they won't see EVs as often (no oil changes, less brake changes, no leaking exhausts etc.) to make $ off of service, perhaps a greater % of each EV sale could make the dealer system sustainable. But for basic UI updates, and such, just beam the new software to the entire Mach-E Fleet.
But again, either way, I truly believe Ford could do it and I believe they need to do it, in a darn similar way as Tesla, or I just don't think it'll take off.

Case in point, here's a screen shot of a Twitter friend who's owned his model 3 since early 2018 and all the items that were improved by OTA Updates... and we can debate the necessity of whoopie cushion sounds and video games, but seriously, just the idea that a "little" company like Tesla has this Give-It-To-Them-All mindset, has potential buyers asking why can't all cars be like that?

I mean, Tesla is proving that this sort of stuff sells cars but more importantly it builds Brand Loyalty... and we all know that there isn't much that has more brand loyalty than the Mustang which is why I believe they really must have a very similar system as Tesla, or the Ford EV push will be an 11 Billion Dollar crater they may not crawl out of...

I agree Ford needs to handle it's EV's in a completely different way following the Tesla model or as you put so well it'll be a 11 billion whole in the ground.

 

[Whatstreet]

These OTA updates by Tesla are compelling for the M3 & MY.

No way to know what Ford's OTA updates would bring even if they promise them.

 

[MachSpeed]

These OTA updates by Tesla are compelling for the M3 & MY.

No way to know what Ford's OTA updates would bring even if they promise them.

True but Tesla has set the bar and Ford has to at least meet it or fail.

 

[Whatstreet]

I just read over on CeanTechnica that Ford will do OTA but they will likely originate from their vendors, my guess it's the Sync4. I doubt it's as extensive regarding actual vehicle performance.

I anticipate wireless Android Auto but that will be in any car with Sync4 not just the E.

 

[cometguy]

I don't feel personally responsible for employing Americans; that decision is part of the job of for-profit corporations, and that is how capitalism works, whether you like it or not. I want to spend my money on good products at prices that I can afford, and I don't care where they come from. I'd much rather help Mexico out than help China out; Mexico is our next-door neighbor and deserves our support. Most of what we buy is made overseas anyway. It's the reality of the modern world. Would I prefer that everything sold in the USA was made in the USA? Of course! But I'm not going to let a good car go by if it's the right fit for me just because it isn't made in the USA... The Europeans and Japanese and Koreans make better cars than Americans do, that's just simple fact. If American car companies can't get their quality and reliability to the level of foreign car brands, that's not my fault, and as an American, I don't owe any allegiance to any American corporations for any reason whatsoever just because they are "American".

 

[BadaBing]

I don't feel personally responsible for employing Americans; that decision is part of the job of for-profit corporations, and that is how capitalism works, whether you like it or not. I want to spend my money on good products at prices that I can afford, and I don't care where they come from. I'd much rather help Mexico out than help China out; Mexico is our next-door neighbor and deserves our support. Most of what we buy is made overseas anyway. It's the reality of the modern world. Would I prefer that everything sold in the USA was made in the USA? Of course! But I'm not going to let a good car go buy if it's the right fit for me just because it isn't made in the USA... The Europeans and Japanese and Koreans make better cars than Americans do, that's just simple fact. If American car companies can't get their quality and reliability to the level of foreign car brands, that's not my fault, and as an American, I don't owe any allegiance to any American corporations for any reason whatsoever just because they are "American".

+1 and to the guys who say they'll move on to Tesla because the Mach-E is being built in Mexico.... Guess you're ok with Teslas being 25% Mexican built, 30% from other countries, and only 45% from USA/Canada? Well, that's how they're actually built.

 

[Whatstreet]

Other cultures in the world are protectionists without legislation. One sided trade will eventually lead to an economic crash.

 

[Dmcerm]

Is Mach-E A Tesla Killer

So, it's good this article was posted... it indeed has the OTA Update section... I may be making my mind up now with this new perspective.
I mean, if all updates come from each vendor, it's doubtful Ford's OTAs will be anything like the Tesla. I mean, if OTAs are mainly dealing with SYNC4... The only experience I have is in our 2017 Expedition and the update it's UI received (when I checked for any updates and DLd them myself) was kind of archaic, Ford puts no effort into improving any of those "old" systems to make them better, you're just supposed to drop 65k on a new Expedition to get the better UI and SYNC stuff... this is not looking good...
The more I think, and read the more I believe I'm still leaning to the Model Y... it pains me to say it but I just dont think Ford will actually be able to or allowed to be as dynamic as Tesla...
Hmmm... well, I have a couple years to see how it plays out once Mach-Es roll out, so I still have time but this forum may be my new obsession as M-E is let out of the stable.

 

[MachSpeed]

+1 and to the guys who say they'll move on to Tesla because the Mach-E is being built in Mexico.... Guess you're ok with Teslas being 25% Mexican built, 30% from other countries, and only 45% from USA/Canada? Well, that's how they're actually built.

No car built in the USA is 100% US made

 

[Dmcerm]

Absolutely.
That's why I buy Fords... I am old an school, closed-minded, America First kinda guy (only 38), that's why I own all Fords even while I know obviously, Fords are built using parts from foriegn countries, it is still a home grown company that employs Americans and the money goes back to Ford's bank account before going out to pay those foreign part suppliers.
And for those who say, "Well Toyota and many other imports are made in America... by Americans..." blah, blah, blah... the sales $ from those cars still goes back to The Empire of Japan... and they bombed Pearl Harbor...
Same goes for all the German (Axis Power) made cars...

And GM went bankrupt and took money from Hussein, so any GM car is as bad as being communist and the same goes for freaking Fiat-Chryslers, also went banrupt and needed bailed out by the dear Comrade... then he sold it to the Italians... another Axis Power...
So Ford is really *thee* only choice when buying cars unless you go with Tesla, since their cars are made here with 50% US/Canda parts, and neither Ford nor Tesla has gone bankrupt.

And this article was easy to find, seeing that every car window sticker has an origins of parts breakdown on it...
Your %s are way off... 50% USA/Canda Made parts for Model 3... we will have to wait for MY and we know Model S, X, Y and 3 are all made at Fremont by Americans. So there's that.

Capitalism for sure, and just the same, in today's America First mantra, I guess I am one of the few who is willikg to pay a tad more to have something made here.

 

[Dmcerm]

So even Model S and X are also 50% US/Candad made parts... and they've gotten increasingly more homegrown as the company has matured...
For the original Roadster:
26% US/Canda made parts
40% United Kingdom = see, a great Allie in the war against the Axis Powers.
20 % Thailand - aside from a cheap parts supply, an inconsequential world entity.
8% France... questionable, an "Allie" but one that needed liberated twice.
5% South Korea... I'd rather a SK by our side in a war than the French, nuf said there.
1% Germany... I mean, Hitler had only two decent ideas, the Autobahn and VW (although I hate them as over engineered money pits)... so I assume they had a good part to two Tesla used...
Made In America carries a lot of weight for me, mostly with my cars... I mean all my electronics are foreign made... I don't want to live in the stone age just to stand on principle! I mean, I like cheap stuff too, who doesn't like to save a few cents on the backs of sweat shop workers!

 

[Dmcerm]

So... ANYWAY... BACK TO THE OTA UPDATE DISCUSSION...

 

[RunningHorse]

Mach E will have OTA and new features added over time. I saw a list of more than 10 items the team wants to add via OTA just in the first year after launch. I don't think all will make it but team is trying to prioritize and no you will not pay anything for OTA or need to got to a dealer

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