Update: Ford's EV 'Model T moment' Announced

[Luxrage]

Same. What a dud of a “reveal.”

With the 'approval only' livestream, the whole mystical skunkworks group that not even the heads are allowed to see, and the talk of this being a Model T moment, I was expecting to least show us a platform on wheels or some renders... the reveal was just

 

[zipn]

that’d be something. Half the price of a scout harvester!

The Scout is tempting but I don't want nor need an all-terain vehicle like the Scout. A smaller commuter EREV is what I want. Something that's efficient yet nice enough for longer road trips too.

Honestly for the $60K ish for the Scout I'd MUCH rather give my money to Mazda for an EREV ICONIC. I'd be first in line yelling "shut up and take my money!" if/when they build it. Dual rotary range extender, 300+ hp, all electric drive (instant torque). Beautiful design.

 

[OldGoat]

One article I seen said $25k but others stated “low cost” also stated “bigger than maverick smaller than ranger”

I can not find mention of $25k again so very doubtful

Detroit media who are in the know said low $30’s. But this is now and that will be then.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Waited to see what Ford was offering, and I saw it...nothing! (Ok we did see a windshield.) I was all set to do a + and - list. Slate is still winning. The only + so far are the prismatic batteries. And they do not go into production until 2026. I will "suffer" with Slate's pouch batteries. (I was surprised that Slate didn't go with A123 systems...I suspect $$$ issues.

 

[E90400K]

Same. What a dud of a “reveal.”

No shit. Farley is so full of crap. LOL.

 

[E90400K]

It actually is revolutionary - for Ford.

If you watched the video, they're introducing a completely new production line concept - similar to a binary tree in reverse. It takes manufacturing cost and time out of the vehicle while maintaining content (whereas Slate is taking cost out of the vehicle by removing content).

Now it's not revolutionary for the industry - all the bits and pieces are either in use elsewhere or being investigated elsewhere. It's the consolidation of all these innovative practices in one product platform that is a revolution (at Ford).

• Non traditional assembly line - already being tested by Nissan in an experimental factory. Hyped, but not in use (that we know of) by Tesla.
• Giga-casting - in use by Tesla and others.
• Zonal electrical architecture - in use by Tesla and Rivian
• Ford Digital experience - echoes work by Tesla, Rivian, Google and others

Farley said they were taking a huge risk and might fail. I like that in a CEO. If they do deliver - they'll be knocking the ball out of the park. If they don't, it's just a few billion lost. Crumbs to a company with a $45 billion dollar market capitalization.

A mistake a lot of laymen make is thinking it's all about the vehicle the OEM delivers. Nope. The vehicle has to appeal to customers. But you make money by designing and building for margin. It's about the incredibly complex system that builds the vehicle. That was the point of this whole presentation. Not the vehicle, but the system of processes that build it. Ford is placing a bet that they can change how they build cars for the next 100 years, not just a single midsize truck.

BTW, we were all invited to the video, but we weren't really the audience.

The problem I see with giga casting is model change-over cost. For example, with Tesla, it locks their designs down to such an extent that model updates are only front and rear bumper facia changes.

 

[E90400K]

Detroit media who are in the know said low $30’s. But this is now and that will be then.

Farley said "to start at $30,000", so that means on the lot at $40,000. Nothing new here. The Gen 6 Bronco Base was $29,995, Ford dropped the Base trim level in 2023.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

The problem I see with giga casting is model change-over cost. For example, with Tesla, it locks their designs down to such an extent that model updates are only front and rear bumper facia changes.

That's not the castings. That's just Tesla being Tesla (we're too cool for school, so why should we change). A casting is just a structural platform part. And the dies are swapped out regularly, as they wear out. One casting machine can make many different castings for several different models with a simple die swap - again, that's a routine swap process. The dies, by the way, are typically re-machined and used again. The Tesla gigafactory has a dedicated die shop at the Austin factory complex just for this purpose.

I think Ford actually pointed out that this platform will have a dozen or so "tophats" atop the platform (truck, SUV, van, etc). That's part of the money saving bit - just stretch or shrink the platform (unibody platforms have been around for decades). Then attach the body panels that the customer sees.

 

[Whitesands]

I read in some articles that Ford would use three (i'm gonna call them) megacastings that come together at the end. So this allows them to attach a truck bed or an SUV back meaning they can change the models more easily.

 

[slateya]

“Yawn”. Whatever Ford is doing.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

“Yawn”. Whatever Ford is doing.

Amen. Fix my freaking Frunk and Carplay, dang it...then, I'll take Ford seriously.

 

[SimplyElement]

In Illinois they have a $4k rebate for evs, but it must be bought from a dealer. It does not seem that the Slate would qualify. Am I wrong?

 

[KevinRS]

In Illinois they have a $4k rebate for evs, but it must be bought from a dealer. It does not seem that the Slate would qualify. Am I wrong?

Most likely you can't get the rebate then. Check the state site for the fine print, it probably specifies that it has to be bought from a dealer within the state.
There is a smaller local rebate in my area that requires a purchase from a local dealer.

 

[Luxrage]

Farley said "to start at $30,000", so that means on the lot at $40,000. Nothing new here. The Gen 6 Bronco Base was $29,995, Ford dropped the Base trim level in 2023.

They brought the Base model Back for this year... at $40,000

 

[kcht66]

Ford just announced a new small EV truck (like maverick) with 4 doors, and a bed. Probably around 300 miles per charge …. In the $30k range…. If that happens with that prices and specs…. Slate will be in serious troubles if don’t down the price.!!! That’s not good news for Slate.