How the Mach-E frunk was redesigned and simplified

[HuntingPudel]

Can we really safely assume Ford has accurate frunk statistics?
<SNIP>

To me: It depends on what data Ford is using. For example: if Ford is using data on the use of the electronic release of the frunk the data is inaccurate because it’s incomplete. I use the mechanical release for my frunk more often than the electronic release. I might be in the minority but I believe that I am not an outlier (other than being Canine).

Now, if Ford is using data on the number of times the frunk light activates, that should be complete data.

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[kens]

To me: It depends on what data Ford is using. For example: if Ford is using data on the use of the electronic release of the frunk the data is inaccurate because it’s incomplete. I use the mechanical release for my frunk more often than the electronic release. I might be in the minority but I believe that I am not an outlier (other than being Canine).

Now, if Ford is using data on the number of times the frunk light activates, that should be complete data.

Sure, but only complete in that it shows the the frunk was opened, it doesn't show if it was in use.

I store things there that don't need accessed daily, but that I want available for when the need arises, and that I don't want in the cabin. Data on how often it is opened does not show how useful it is, or that it is in daily use even if not often opened.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I use the mechanical release for my frunk more often than the electronic release. I might be in the minority but I believe that I am not an outlier (other than being Canine).

I swat the human’s paw if he tries to open the frunk with a button. All buttons, and all boxes, are within my purview, and I deem them not to be pushed. The hairless apes are required to use the lever.

 

[kens]

I swat the human’s paw if he tries to open the frunk with a button. All buttons, and all boxes, are within my purview, and I deem them not to be pushed. The hairless apes are required to use the lever.

Most hairless apes don't know the electronic releases is a known failure point that will lock them out of their frunk, just that Ford put it there and it's maybe convenient, those that do know of the failures use the manual release more often. Good work on the ape training.

 

[MellowJohnny]

I don't know about the Engineers among us, but when I review previous software architecture designs looking for improvements I don't play armchair quarterback. I have no context, no idea what their design constraints were at the time. Time? Budget? Culture? Different philosophy? It's not usually incompetence. Certainly sometimes, but not usually

Point is Monroe's YouTube channel has turned into one big ad for their services. I stopped watching years ago.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

I don't know about the Engineers among us, but when I review previous software architecture designs looking for improvements I don't play armchair quarterback. I have no context, no idea what their design constraints were at the time. Time? Budget? Culture? Different philosophy? It's not usually incompetence. Certainly sometimes, but not usually

Point is Monroe's YouTube channel has turned into one big ad for their services. I stopped watching years ago.

Monroe highlighted issues with the original design, then illustrated how Ford (brilliantly) fixed it. Their logic is that Ford should have come to them initially, and they would have been able to give Ford the optimal design.

Typically, consultants look at your watch and tell you what time it is. In this case, Monroe didn’t even bother to look. They just asked Ford.

 

[MellowJohnny]

<snip>

Typically, consultants look at your watch and tell you what time it is. In this case, Monroe didn’t even bother to look. They just asked Ford.

Funny you say that - years ago I had a very memorable meeting with senior executives at a firm I was consulting. I was talking to another software engineer about the "right" way to solve a particular architecture problem. He said "Come to this meeting and tell them exactly that...". So I did.

They all listened and agreed. We walked out and he said "I've been trying to tell them that for *months*...then you walk in with your consulting hat on and all of a sudden they listen..."

Yep. I guess I just told them what time it was

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Funny you say that - years ago I had a very memorable meeting with senior executives at a firm I was consulting. I was talking to another software engineer about the "right" way to solve a particular problem. He said "Come to this meeting and tell them exactly that...". So I did.

They all listened and agreed. We walked out and he said "I've been trying to tell them that for *months*...then you walk in with your consulting hat on and all of a sudden they listen..."

Yep. I guess I just told them what time it was

Former consultant here too, Christian. But not the slimy kind that Sandy Monroe is. At least that’s what I think

 

[Bonehead]

Did I miss the memo on why everyone is referring to "Monroe"? Is Sandy Monroe related to Marilyn Munro?

 

[Neopifex]

I use my frunk daily, but rarely open it.

...what? That doesn't make sen...

I store things there that don't need accessed daily, but that I want available for when the need arises, and that I don't want in the cabin. Data on how often it is opened does not show how useful it is, or that it is in daily use even if not often opened.

Oh... ok, I kinda see your point, but that really doesn't seem like it satisfies the definition of the verb "to use." At least not to me.

To me, using something means actively interacting with it, not just keeping it in storage (or storing something in it). The commenter who transports their stinky gym clothes in there and takes them out regularly is using the frunk. Ford's group of conventionally attractive people eating a pile of shrimp from it are using the frunk (which was, apparently, good advertising. who knew?). I'm not really using the frunk, I just threw something in there so I wouldn't feel like the space was completely wasted.

I keep a first aid kit in my frunk, but haven't opened the hood (frood?) since I put it there a year and a half ago. Does that really count as using the frunk? The kit just sits there and could easily be stored somewhere else in the car. The objects you and I keep in there, whatever they are, could be kept in the cabin, if necessary. Maybe in the back in a container or under the trunk... board... thing? Whatever it's called.

Whatever your mystery items are, I don't think Ford's analysts would have considered it "using the frunk" when they were deciding what to do with it (had they known your particular case, of course), and I think that's a fair call from their standpoint. They'd probably shrug and say you should get a larger SUV if you need more storage. I doubt you'd like that answer, and nor would I, but they're approaching the issue from a different perspective.

Ford won't know about your point of view on this unless you tell them. Maybe start a letter-writing campaign with other frans (frunk fans) here, because otherwise all Ford has are frood access statistics.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

...what? That doesn't make sen...



Oh... ok, I kinda see your point, but that really doesn't seem like it satisfies the definition of the verb "to use." At least not to me.

To me, using something means actively interacting with it, not just keeping it in storage (or storing something in it). The commenter who transports their stinky gym clothes in there and takes them out regularly is using the frunk. Ford's group of conventionally attractive people eating a pile of shrimp from it are using the frunk (which was, apparently, good advertising. who knew?). I'm not really using the frunk, I just threw something in there so I wouldn't feel like the space was completely wasted.

I keep a first aid kit in my frunk, but haven't opened the hood (frood?) since I put it there a year and a half ago. Does that really count as using the frunk? The kit just sits there and could easily be stored somewhere else in the car. The objects you and I keep in there, whatever they are, could be kept in the cabin, if necessary. Maybe in the back in a container or under the trunk... board... thing? Whatever it's called.

Whatever your mystery items are, I don't think Ford's analysts would have considered it "using the frunk" when they were deciding what to do with it (had they known your particular case, of course), and I think that's a fair call from their standpoint. They'd probably shrug and say you should get a larger SUV if you need more storage. I doubt you'd like that answer, and nor would I, but they're approaching the issue from a different perspective.

Ford won't know about your point of view on this unless you tell them. Maybe start a letter-writing campaign with other frans (frunk fans) here, because otherwise all Ford has are frood access statistics.

I think of the frunk as an indicator for how well an EV is designed. Sort of like the number of cup holders in a minivan. Do you need 20 cup holders? Probably not. Yet, here we are.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Did I miss the memo on why everyone is referring to "Monroe"? Is Sandy Monroe related to Marilyn Munro?

Have you ever bought Munro-Matic shocks?

 

[luckie]

Oh, btw. Ford had four unique designs for Mach-E frunks:
1. 2021 featuring a plastic divider insert that makes the frunk useless (to inhibit putting a baby inside). This one lacked a working release button (at least for a while)
2. 2022 / 2023 job 1 which is depicted as the original design in the video
3. 2023 job 2 / 2024 which is the large, simplified / redesigned frunk in the video
4. 2025 / 2026 smaller frunk to accommodate the heat pump

I guess technically there was also: 1.5 2021 Job 2 which was the original frunk minus the divider.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

I guess technically there was also: 1.5 2021 Job 2 which was the original frunk minus the divider.

That’s the “original design” shown in the video, no?

 

[HuntingPudel]

That’s the “original design” shown in the video, no?

Yes, the Feds approved the electronic emergency release after 2021 Job1 was in production. 2021 Job2 and 2022 (both Jobs) used the same frunk tub, less the dividers.

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