Bloomberg: Ford is Reengineering Mach-E in Real Time to Boost Profit

[Rabidsquirrel22]

Ford Reengineers Plug-In Mustang In Real Time to Boost Profit - Bloomberg

Ford Motor Co. is reengineering its electric Mustang Mach-E on the fly to make it more profitable, an approach that portends big changes in how the automaker designs and builds vehicles.

Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley told analysts Thursday Ford will no longer wait for the next model change to rework a vehicle. With software updates and hardware reengineering, the company is lowering the cost to build the Mach-E at its factory in Mexico in real time.

“We are not going to wait for next year,” Farley said on a conference call to discuss fourth-quarter earnings, which fell short of Wall Street estimates. “We’re are going to reengineer that vehicle now, and then use that expertise for the F-150 Lightning” plug-in pickup that’s going on sale this spring.

As an example, Farley said engineers are reworking the Mach-E’s cooling system to reduce the number of hoses by one-third and cut the number of motors in half. Fewer parts mean lower costs and higher profit, he said.

This on-the-fly engineering to boost the bottom line will become a new way of doing business at Ford, Farley said. Ford’s CEO has frequently praised Tesla Inc. and is said to be reorganizing using that company as a template.

“We have learned so much about the lack of integration in our engineering operations as we compared our engineering on Mach-E to others that are best-in-class, and we are finding lots of profit opportunities,” Farley said. “Being in the industry as long as I have, I haven’t felt this chance to take out so much cost after Job 1.”

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[macchiaz-o]

“We have learned so much about the lack of integration in our engineering operations as we compared our engineering on Mach-E to others that are best-in-class ...."

I can only assume others == Tesla at this point.

 

[KevinS]

I can only assume others == Tesla at this point.

Says right in the article in the paragraph before: "Ford’s CEO has frequently praised Tesla Inc. and is said to be reorganizing using that company as a template. "

 

[ARK]

I wonder if Sandy anticipated that the outcome of his commentary on Mach-E hoses would eventually make its way to a discussion on a Ford earnings call by the CEO.

I also wonder if they have retained him at this point.

 

[macchiaz-o]

I wonder if Sandy anticipated that the outcome of his commentary on Mach-E hoses would eventually make its way to a discussion on a Ford earnings call by the CEO.

I also wonder if they have retained him at this point.

I am certain Sandy will give himself full credit, deserved or not. ?

 

[swnerd321]

Great they say they have higher profit, but what does that do for the cars performance, I know now the GT will get 1 second boost and a 95 mph trap speed ???

 

[Electric Goat]

Great they say they have higher profit, but what does that do for the cars performance, I know now the GT will get 1 second boost and a 95 mph trap speed ???

This was my first thought. Instead of trying to find ways to make the car better, they're finding ways to cut corners to boost profit.

 

[Xlch59]

This will make it difficult to figure out what you are buying or selling. You will need to know the date the car was made to find what feature the car has or doesn't.

 

[kikibop]

I can only assume others == Tesla at this point.

Very astute

 

[macchiaz-o]

This will make it difficult to figure out what you are buying or selling. You will need to know the date the car was made to find what feature the car has or doesn't.

Most buyers don't care to know how many hoses are under the hood.

 

[sotek2345]

This was my first thought. Instead of trying to find ways to make the car better, they're finding ways to cut corners to boost profit.

Well, this change does reduce weight and losses in the coolant system, making the car a little bit faster and more efficient.

 

[Electric Goat]

Well, this change does reduce weight and losses in the coolant system, making the car a little bit faster and more efficient.

Our 5 second power boost will now feel like 5.1 second power boost! ? I love it!

 

[ARK]

Well, this change does reduce weight and losses in the coolant system, making the car a little bit faster and more efficient.

True, but this hose thing was the greatest nothing burger.

I think whether someone chooses to put on a front license plate has a greater impact on speed and efficiency than a couple feet of redundant hose being removed from under the hood.

 

[ponydsp]

True, but this hose thing was the greatest nothing burger.

I think whether someone chooses to put on a front license plate has a greater impact on speed and efficiency than a couple feet of redundant hose being removed from under the hood.

but eliminating redundant hoses etc = bigger frunk = more Beers on ice = more fun at tailgate parties on Saturdays

 

[Mawby]

Most buyers don't care to know how many hoses are under the hood.

Amazing periodic sound of a flushing toilet through the hoses is quite animated.

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