GregM
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Greg
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2020
- Threads
- 5
- Messages
- 195
- Reaction score
- 197
- Location
- Virginia
- Vehicles
- Audi A3, Tahoe, Mustang Mach E Premium (on order)
- Occupation
- Communications/Marketing
My understanding is that Ford has put in over $1B in RD&E for the last few years - and just because they didn't have a Tesla-like car on the market doesn't mean that they are 7+ years behind. Plus LG Chem has been in the EV battery space since '99...so I really wonder if it is just Tesla Fanboy propaganda...time will tell. Ford is risking a lot with a Mustang tagged first out all out EV - and I am sure they went to town on reverse engineering all other EV models. First to market doesn't necessarily mean best in market. Come September, we will see. Ford has seen the criticism about Audi and Jag - they have felt the criticism about their own recent releases and related short-falls...they ought not make those same miss-steps here.Yes, they ship the cars with the computer but charge $7,000 to "use" the computer, really it's just vaporware until level 3 comes out.
The Mach E will have OTA updates, but it is still unknown how well their autopilot system will work. It is reported the Mach E will come with 8+ cameras, LIDAR sensors, and future updates to improve their autopilot.
They have been very quiet about it though. Not sure if that is good or bad. Likely it won't be level 4 autonomous vehicle, but Tesla is still very far from that capability. They have the lead, but nothing is stopping Ford or any other automaker from catching up quickly. Ford has Argo AI
I am left to wonder if we have different expectations for a "start-up" Tesla and an established legacy car maker - meaning, Tesla is given the benefit of the doubt with their missteps - will Ford get that same leeway? iphone gets that leeway - its the AGILE approach, right. So will Ford, with their OTA updates be able to release and then fix as they go...just like Tesla does??
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