Worried about Ford EV's moving forward

[Electric Thunder]

Hey everyone,

So I just joined the EV club and I'm excited to be here! Just picked up two 2024 Mach-Es, finally replacing my old Fiesta and Escape. Love these cars! But I gotta say, I'm a bit worried about Ford's long-term EV commitment, especially here in the US.

Right now, it seems like they're only really pushing the Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning. Don't get me wrong, those are great vehicles, but what happens after 2027? There's no clear roadmap for their EV lineup that I can see.

And it's not just the lack of models. Ford's canceling programs, like those dealer charging station installations, and relying heavily on VW in Europe. With VW facing its own challenges, it makes me wonder if Ford's EV strategy is on shaky ground.

Look, I'm a Ford guy through and through. I don't want to switch brands in a few years when my lease is up. But I also don't want to buy another EV if Ford isn't going to fully commit to this technology. GM seems to be all-in on EVs, and I'm starting to think other brands might be a safer bet in the long run.

Am I alone here? What are your thoughts on Ford's EV future?

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[mdwinther35]

As of August they were working on a new platform to base future products on, with more news coming in 2025. We'll see.

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...ation-strategy-to-reach-more-customers--.html

 

[MacherAWD]

Hey everyone,

So I just joined the EV club and I'm excited to be here! Just picked up two 2024 Mach-Es, finally replacing my old Fiesta and Escape. Love these cars! But I gotta say, I'm a bit worried about Ford's long-term EV commitment, especially here in the US.

Right now, it seems like they're only really pushing the Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning. Don't get me wrong, those are great vehicles, but what happens after 2027? There's no clear roadmap for their EV lineup that I can see.

And it's not just the lack of models. Ford's canceling programs, like those dealer charging station installations, and relying heavily on VW in Europe. With VW facing its own challenges, it makes me wonder if Ford's EV strategy is on shaky ground.

Look, I'm a Ford guy through and through. I don't want to switch brands in a few years when my lease is up. But I also don't want to buy another EV if Ford isn't going to fully commit to this technology. GM seems to be all-in on EVs, and I'm starting to think other brands might be a safer bet in the long run.

Am I alone here? What are your thoughts on Ford's EV future?

Thats a concern next time I am car shopping. I love my 2021, and Ford has been great. Each time I car shop I start from scratch with no brand loyalty. So for now, not a concern. I also own a GM EV (Bolt) and have driven a Blazer and Equinox. Personally each of those is a step down from the Mach-e, yes better range, but that is all they have going for them at this point, and price.

 

[Teslaeata]

As of August they were working on a new platform to base future products on, with more news coming in 2025. We'll see.

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...ation-strategy-to-reach-more-customers--.html

Oh, great!

Does that mean no more VW based versions with the electric engines in the froot?

 

[phil]

Worried about Ford EV's moving forward

Moving forward is a big requirement for any car that I buy, EV or not. Not negotiable.

What is unsafe about buying a Ford, that would lead you to want a "safer bet"? Technologies come and go and evolve, but Ford has been around for 120 years, and is likely to survive long enough to adequately service my car. I don't really care about Ford's "commitment" to electricity, I just figure they are old and established enough to honor warranties and take reasonable care of customers. GM is a similarly safe bet.

 

[DB_From_NC]

My opinion is that far too much investment has already gone in to let it die off. The second solid state batteries (or equivalent tech) start rolling off the production line there will be a significant new push on EV's. Why? Because the only three things that today's EV's lack in comparison to ICE engines are range, speed of refill and cost. Solid state will certainly address the first two, and time and quantity will address cost. The order to "drill baby drill" will certainly make auto makers think twice, but neither Japan nor Detroit are ready to hand over EV dominance to the Chinese.

 

[Electric Thunder]

As of August they were working on a new platform to base future products on, with more news coming in 2025. We'll see.

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...ation-strategy-to-reach-more-customers--.html

Just had the chance to read it and I hope that they hold true to this and in the annoucnement of this year they are able to be more clear on those models they are mentioning.

 

[RickMachE]

Hey everyone,

So I just joined the EV club and I'm excited to be here! Just picked up two 2024 Mach-Es, finally replacing my old Fiesta and Escape. Love these cars! But I gotta say, I'm a bit worried about Ford's long-term EV commitment, especially here in the US.

Right now, it seems like they're only really pushing the Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning. Don't get me wrong, those are great vehicles, but what happens after 2027? There's no clear roadmap for their EV lineup that I can see.

And it's not just the lack of models. Ford's canceling programs, like those dealer charging station installations, and relying heavily on VW in Europe. With VW facing its own challenges, it makes me wonder if Ford's EV strategy is on shaky ground.

Look, I'm a Ford guy through and through. I don't want to switch brands in a few years when my lease is up. But I also don't want to buy another EV if Ford isn't going to fully commit to this technology. GM seems to be all-in on EVs, and I'm starting to think other brands might be a safer bet in the long run.

Am I alone here? What are your thoughts on Ford's EV future?

I can't imagine buying 2 EVs and then raising this concern. We bought our first Mach-E in 2021, sold it in 2022 and got a 2022, and bought the Lightning in 2023. Had I known then what I learned months ago, I wouldn't have bought any of them. I certainly wouldn't buy another one today, given the steps they've taken (cancelled 3 row, moving things out, ...) coupled with the new admin and its outlook.

 

[Peugfan]

My opinion is that far too much investment has already gone in to let it die off. The second solid state batteries (or equivalent tech) start rolling off the production line there will be a significant new push on EV's. Why? Because the only three things that today's EV's lack in comparison to ICE engines are range, speed of refill and cost. Solid state will certainly address the first two, and time and quantity will address cost. The order to "drill baby drill" will certainly make auto makers think twice, but neither Japan nor Detroit are ready to hand over EV dominance to the Chinese.

Last time I looked Toyota was cash rich so I think they can do whatever investments they choose. But, as a warning to Toyota, the Chinese outsold Toyota in electric vehicle sales on Toyotas home turf. [not by much]. That ought to be a wakeup call to Toyota who has spent too much time fiddling around with hydrogen technology. Supposedly Toyota has a boat load of solid state battery patents, but will that translate into production and on what time table? Interesting times.

 

[AliRafiee]

I speculate that EV production will follow Moore’s law.

 

[Oxford]

Moving forward is a big requirement for any car that I buy, EV or not. Not negotiable.

What is unsafe about buying a Ford, that would lead you to want a "safer bet"? Technologies come and go and evolve, but Ford has been around for 120 years, and is likely to survive long enough to adequately service my car. I don't really care about Ford's "commitment" to electricity, I just figure they are old and established enough to honor warranties and take reasonable care of customers. GM is a similarly safe bet.

Are you betting on GM and Ford or on the US government to bail them out. back in 2008 GM was bailed out as it was going bankrupt. The unthinkable happened. The US and Canadian government put a lot of money into them and they came out as a new company. So yes they have a history and long tradition but that should give little comfort. With long histories come legacy debt that is attached to old technology that no longer pays

 

[sb020397]

I’ve got one myself, and my wife does too. We both love them. That said, I share a lot of your concerns about Ford’s EV strategy and long-term commitment especially in the United States.

While I’m thrilled with the Mach-E, I’ve also kept my F-150 ICE truck as my “security blanket.” Ford’s current EV lineup is strong in some ways, but it feels like they’re treading water rather than fully diving into the deep end. Their innovation on the hybrid side, for example, feels pretty weak to me. The PowerBoost is a good effort, but let’s be real—it’s underwhelming when compared to what others are doing, like the Ram Charger. I wouldn’t buy Dodge, but I admire the concept of a hybrid system where the motor primarily charges the battery. That setup would give us the torque and acceleration of the Mach-E or Lightning in a hybrid.

I also think the EV mandate was a mistake, especially when the country’s infrastructure isn’t ready to support the demand for electricity. Between Ford pulling back on programs like dealer charging stations and relying heavily on VW for their European market, I’m nervous about their EV future. As a Ford guy through and through, I really want them to succeed. But the lack of a clear roadmap beyond 2027 makes me hesitate to commit to another EV from them just yet.

On top of that, as a Ford stockholder, I’ve been disappointed. The stock hasn’t done much except slowly lose value. I’m hoping Ford steps it up, adds to their EV lineup, and maybe even introduces a true hybrid that combines the best of both worlds.

 

[Oxford]

I can't imagine buying 2 EVs and then raising this concern. We bought our first Mach-E in 2021, sold it in 2022 and got a 2022, and bought the Lightning in 2023. Had I known then what I learned months ago, I wouldn't have bought any of them. I certainly wouldn't buy another one today, given the steps they've taken (cancelled 3 row, moving things out, ...) coupled with the new admin and its outlook.

Well that comment must have made his day. Will Ford be a trail blazer, I am not sure. They build a darn good car and truck. Electric motors are changing fast, in wheel motors are here and can be mass produced. Weight much less than the standard electric motor. Battery tech moving fast so the days of the ICE vehicle are numbered. The present admin is in for four years, large industries do not make 4 yr planning. China is working at break neck speed on EV evolution. The BRICS organization is larger now in economic capability and population. So the influence is too big to ignore. I doubt the US wants to turn into another CUBA, you know, old cars that sometimes work.
This year and the years to follow will be exciting, things have just gotten interesting and will progress. Competition is good, tariffs make industry lazy, inefficient. Don't let the clowns in office convince that they are protecting jobs. They are protecting lazy business that do not want to change and improve.

 

[Jimrpa]

Oh, great!

Does that mean no more VW based versions with the electric engines in the froot?

Would you rather have a massive heat pump up there? ???

 

[Jimrpa]

As of August they were working on a new platform to base future products on, with more news coming in 2025. We'll see.

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...ation-strategy-to-reach-more-customers--.html

This is pretty old (August 2024). My suspicion is that Ford will slow-roll any future EV development for a few years, and just focus on incremental cost take-out on their existing platforms.

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