Jim Farley Talks Mach-E, F-150 and EV Development with The Verge

[EVS]

GM threw away what looked so promising with the Volt and the Bolt and then just sat on it. They come back with the Hummer which lets face it is a show piece but not something for us mortals. It is massive over kill.
Ford brought out the Mach E which lets face it is a great car and they are doing great at it. Follow by the F150 and making a true electric work truck. The towing is going to be an issue as range is hammered but for most everything else this is a great truck and could replace a lot of places fleet of F150's.
VW I think they are doing good things but are more meh in going electric. ID4 feels more like they are responding to diesel gate and trying. Ford on the other had goes big.
Mustang and F150 are huge names that ford is yet again showing they are serious about going Electric.

To be fair to VW and GM, Ford also had a meh electric car, the Ford Focus, the only one for a long time. It also sells a few plug-in hybrids Ford Kuga and Puma in Europe. I think one is the plug-in Explorer.

GM has plans for a huge number of electric cars but mostly for China. Its Wuling mini-EV in China is a low price city car that is the best selling electric car there. Once its Ultium battery factory is up and running, I expect to see more from GM besides the Cadillac Lyriq.

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I read that interview and another huge take away is it seems like Ford is the first of the legacy automakers that seem to be taking electric cars VERY seriously.
One does not screw with huge brands like Mustang and F150 unless you are willing to risk it all and Ford is saying "We are coming to play hard and risking it all". They are very serious.
GM threw away what looked so promising with the Volt and the Bolt and then just sat on it. They come back with the Hummer which lets face it is a show piece but not something for us mortals. It is massive over kill.
Ford brought out the Mach E which lets face it is a great car and they are doing great at it. Follow by the F150 and making a true electric work truck. The towing is going to be an issue as range is hammered but for most everything else this is a great truck and could replace a lot of places fleet of F150's.
VW I think they are doing good things but are more meh in going electric. ID4 feels more like they are responding to diesel gate and trying. Ford on the other had goes big.
Mustang and F150 are huge names that ford is yet again showing they are serious about going Electric.

Totally agree. Although GM did change their logo so that the negative space below the ‘M’ looks like an electric plug ?
GM also has stated that they plan to go fully electric by (I think 2030?) But so far the results are lacking. As both a former Volt and current Bolt owner, I’m disappointed with the lack of progress regarding middle tier EV options. I mean, you’ve got the economical Bolt on one end of the spectrum, and the $100K Hummer on the other end (with not much in between except maybe that Caddy?). Ford has delivered those middle tier options, and they are impressive!

VW’s efforts definitely seem half hearted so far. The ID4 is a disappointment (to me), and not offering the ID3 in the States is a mistake IMO.

 

[generaltso]

Regarding the transition to the Android Automotive OS.... This isn't really an answer, lol. I need more info! Are we going to be able to upgrade to that, or not? (Please say yes...)

Sounds like a No to me.

 

[RW Journey]

Sounds like a No to me.

Agree, although Jim has a clear awareness regarding the need for "upgradability" along with the per-mile business model, I doubt it will be a simple/free OTA update. We can always hope and dream though

 

[2021mustangdan]

With this in the article " Ford also just announced a major deal with Google to use Android as the operating system in its cars, and I wanted to know what pushed the company in that direction — and how Jim sees our relationship to cars changing as they turn into what are fundamentally rolling computers. His answers surprised me — he hinted at one day being able to upgrade the computing systems of a car the same way you might upgrade or replace the engine or the shocks. "

I want nothing to do with the garbage Google/Android operating system... lost all interest in the Mach-E now because of this. Hugh mistake as far as I am concerned.

Dan

 

[BMT1071]

With this in the article " Ford also just announced a major deal with Google to use Android as the operating system in its cars, and I wanted to know what pushed the company in that direction — and how Jim sees our relationship to cars changing as they turn into what are fundamentally rolling computers. His answers surprised me — he hinted at one day being able to upgrade the computing systems of a car the same way you might upgrade or replace the engine or the shocks. "

I want nothing to do with the garbage Google/Android operating system... lost all interest in the Mach-E now because of this. Hugh mistake as far as I am concerned.

Dan

 

[2021mustangdan]

I owned over 9 different Mustang's ( new ) since having my drivers license. Just feeling disappointed that Ford would think Android system operating acceptable.

 

[timbop]

With this in the article " Ford also just announced a major deal with Google to use Android as the operating system in its cars, and I wanted to know what pushed the company in that direction — and how Jim sees our relationship to cars changing as they turn into what are fundamentally rolling computers. His answers surprised me — he hinted at one day being able to upgrade the computing systems of a car the same way you might upgrade or replace the engine or the shocks. "

I want nothing to do with the garbage Google/Android operating system... lost all interest in the Mach-E now because of this. Hugh mistake as far as I am concerned.

Dan

The Mach E will not be android based until at least the 2023 model year (probably '24 at the earliest), and I am highly skeptical that they will actually offer an upgrade path for cars with the current sync. His response had all of the makings of a vague enough answer so that people don't decide to hold off purchasing until the new OS is available. Even if they did offer an upgrade, I would suspect that it will not be free so thus not mandatory.

What specifically concerns you about Android Auto to the point that you'll walk away from the car?

 

[2021mustangdan]

The Mach E will not be android based until at least the 2023 model year (probably '24 at the earliest), and I am highly skeptical that they will actually offer an upgrade path for cars with the current sync. His response had all of the makings of a vague enough answer so that people don't decide to hold off purchasing until the new OS is available. Even if they did offer an upgrade, I would suspect that it will not be free so thus not mandatory.

What specifically concerns you about Android Auto to the point that you'll walk away from the car?

If is not changing to Android until 2023,24, than I am good.

I recently drove the 2021 Mach-E on thursday and was impressed with it.


Also concerned about Alexa. It is the privacy issues I have:

https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/30/...ssistant-voice-apps-according-to-researchers/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonyew...il-you-change-these-settings/?sh=626f342b7c4f

https://gizmodo.com/the-terrible-truth-about-alexa-1834075404

https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-hom...ns-about-alexa-and-google-assistant-security/

I do not have any Google or Alexa devices in my home at all.

Dan

 

[jparduhn70]

The Mach E will not be android based until at least the 2023 model year (probably '24 at the earliest), and I am highly skeptical that they will actually offer an upgrade path for cars with the current sync. His response had all of the makings of a vague enough answer so that people don't decide to hold off purchasing until the new OS is available. Even if they did offer an upgrade, I would suspect that it will not be free so thus not mandatory.

My experience with all versions of Sync from one through 4A, I've never seen a direct upgrade path. I don't see it happening here, either. There are a lot of pros and cons with Android, IMHO, but I understand that it is a global OS standard that has a lot of potential integrations. I'm leaning a little toward the suspicious side given the open standards of the platform and what I view is more vulnerability versus a closed ecosystem.

 

[guyofthesky]

I read that interview and another huge take away is it seems like Ford is the first of the legacy automakers that seem to be taking electric cars VERY seriously.
One does not screw with huge brands like Mustang and F150 unless you are willing to risk it all and Ford is saying "We are coming to play hard and risking it all". They are very serious.
GM threw away what looked so promising with the Volt and the Bolt and then just sat on it. They come back with the Hummer which lets face it is a show piece but not something for us mortals. It is massive over kill.
Ford brought out the Mach E which lets face it is a great car and they are doing great at it. Follow by the F150 and making a true electric work truck. The towing is going to be an issue as range is hammered but for most everything else this is a great truck and could replace a lot of places fleet of F150's.
VW I think they are doing good things but are more meh in going electric. ID4 feels more like they are responding to diesel gate and trying. Ford on the other had goes big.
Mustang and F150 are huge names that ford is yet again showing they are serious about going Electric.

Agree.

As to towing, having the capability, especially for smaller loads and shorter trips, will be very valuable. Hauling 10k pounds uphill is going to require a lot of charging, but that likely isn't the most common towing scenario. Taking a couple of jet skis to the lake on Sunday might be very doable.

You didn't mention another thing that is great: a frunk. If you drive pickups much, especially to the "city" on the weekend, and you have kids in the back seat, you have to put the luggage in the box, where it gets wet, blown around, and maybe stolen.

A frunk for suitcases is a big deal, I believe.

 

[EELinneman]

Anybody know how to email Jim Farley? If you google his email, you get [email protected] which is not correct.

 

[guyofthesky]

With this in the article " Ford also just announced a major deal with Google to use Android as the operating system in its cars, and I wanted to know what pushed the company in that direction — and how Jim sees our relationship to cars changing as they turn into what are fundamentally rolling computers. His answers surprised me — he hinted at one day being able to upgrade the computing systems of a car the same way you might upgrade or replace the engine or the shocks. "

I want nothing to do with the garbage Google/Android operating system... lost all interest in the Mach-E now because of this. Hugh mistake as far as I am concerned.

Dan

I drove the Android system in the Polestar 2, and I liked it a lot. Short ride, but it was fast and slick.

 

[Jimmy2]

One does not screw with huge brands like Mustang and F150 unless you are willing to risk it all and Ford is saying "We are coming to play hard and risking it all". They are very serious.

So true. Good point.

 

[physib]

The polestar 2 using android is actually a dealbreaker for me. So we'll see what happens to later model years.

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