Details on Ford's future EV to be announced on August 11th!

[phil]

Other than a battery breakthrough, I struggle to see what would qualify as a Model T moment. Maybe a massive improvement in manufacturing process efficiency?

Well, it's not often (if ever) that a century-old manufacturing process is massively improved.

Is Ford capable of a battery breakthrough? Are they even working on bleeding edge battery technology? I've heard of GM and Toyota doing some stuff, but not Ford.

The Model T came out at less than one-half the price of competing cars, and eventually dropped to about one-tenth. It's a tough act to follow 120 years later.

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[lightningandmache]

I recorded a video with my thoughts on the new EV announcement and other stuff from the earnings call.

Your YT thumbnail game is on point!

 

[leehinde]

IMO the first vehicle on the platform should be a mid-sized or large SUV........but Ford killed the 3 row SUV in 2024 that was to be built in Canada

I saw something a month ago, or so, that suggested Ford wants to go towards the entry level. Whatever was quoted (wish I could put my fingers on it) suggested mid-to-large wasn't on the table.

I know that's not really actionable intelligence, but there you go.

 

[4wheeldog]

The Model T took about 15 months to go from concept to production.

I suspect whatever Ford announces next month will take a lot longer. Many years longer.

The P51 Mustang went from contract to flight in 90 days. Doing things in a safe manner takes a little longer.

 

[MBCook]

I’m interested to see what’s announced.

But I’m not sure I’ll ever understand the concept of announcing announcements.

I know every company loves to do it these days. But… why?

 

[mdolan92869]

I’m interested to see what’s announced.

But I’m not sure I’ll ever understand the concept of announcing announcements.

I know every company loves to do it these days. But… why?

Clickbait

 

[first_EV_is_a_MME]

Wasn't there some note about the vehicle software? I'm guessing they will touch on this during this presentation. I remember something about them not going with Tesla for ADS, and some other changes in the development teams.

 

[ARK]

I think it must be a traditional Mustang body EV that they will call the Mustang EV. I don’t think the Ranger is iconic enough for this announcement to be about that, and I don’t see Ford bringing a super cheap EV sedan to market when they don’t even sell sedans here anymore.

Unless it’s a huge nothing burger, the only vehicle I think they have that is worthy of language like that is the Mustang and the F150, and the F150 is of course already an EV through the Lightning.

 

[Jimrpa]

A plug-in hybrid EcoSport, with a 20 KWH battery pack, 1 cylinder engine, and a … HEAT PUMP

 

[ESJB]

Aussie here. The current-gen Ranger was designed and engineered here (and built in heaps of places across the world). It's also cross-licensed to VW as the Volkswagen Amarok. The flip side of that deal is that Ford gets to license VW's EV platform (MEB) for the Capri and Explorer EVs.

@Mach-E VLOG in your video I think you mentioned a "Ranger SUV"? That already exists as the Ford Everest; not sold in the US because you have that market segment covered, but other places around the world get it. Haven't driven one but apparently it's a good product. Also Bronco is a bit more distantly related but still the same platform, I understand.

So, my predictions:

• The new platform is for light pick-up trucks and truck-based SUVs and can scale up and down... next-gen Ranger, next-gen F-150, next-gen Bronco...
• All software-defined: maximum of 5-6 domain computers in the car, replacing all the individual systems
• Chassis built using 3D-printing techniques
• Ford exits the passenger vehicle engineering business and just cross-licenses all their cars from Volkswagen. VW gets Ford's pick-up platform in exchange. No idea what happens to Transit in this situation

Model T moment!

 

[ESJB]

Ford exits the passenger vehicle engineering business and just cross-licenses all their cars from Volkswagen. VW gets Ford's pick-up platform in exchange. No idea what happens to Transit in this situation

Crap. I just realised the implication of this.

I don't know what happens to Mustang (or Mach-E) in this scenario. I'm not sure I like the possibilities though...

 

[mkhuffman]

Crap. I just realised the implication of this.

I don't know what happens to Mustang (or Mach-E) in this scenario. I'm not sure I like the possibilities though...

IMO that scenario is VERY unlikely.

 

[ESJB]

IMO that scenario is VERY unlikely.

I think I'm just unnecessarily scaring myself.

Ford will probably keep a few bespoke platforms around. Mustang will never die. and Mustang fans will never forgive Ford if the next-gen Mustang was just a re-skinned Porsche Taycan or something. So that won't happen.

I guess they're also keeping Transit development going in this situation too. That's a big part of their business and something else they license out to VW.

 

[mkhuffman]

I think the key part of the quote is "for Ford". It will be a Model T moment "for Ford".

It has to be a huge improvement in production efficiency and cost, with the potential to be the lowest cost manufacturer in the industry. So the reveal will be a super efficient BEV platform that is cost competitive with China. Maybe cheaper than China.

It won't be a vehicle. It will be a platform Ford believes is the most efficient they have ever produced before.

That said, they may announce the first vehicle to be built on the platform. But that vehicle isn't what is important. The platform will be the what matters.

IMO.

 

[ngtwolf]

I think it must be a traditional Mustang body EV that they will call the Mustang EV. I don’t think the Ranger is iconic enough for this announcement to be about that, and I don’t see Ford bringing a super cheap EV sedan to market when they don’t even sell sedans here anymore.

Unless it’s a huge nothing burger, the only vehicle I think they have that is worthy of language like that is the Mustang and the F150, and the F150 is of course already an EV through the Lightning.

I was thinking that as well, but they'd have to tread carefully with that one considering all the drama that happened with the Charger - that said, the ecoboost would be a good option to just move to electric. It's not really considered a muscle car, and people buying it aren't the ICE fanatics so it would make sense. But, that said, even if this happened, it's not a 'model t moment', so it likely has something to do with bringing an electric car to the masses.

That said, we could all be over thinking it, and it could likely be news none of us care about.

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