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

[sodamo]

Glad I hadn’t pinned my hopes on Ford. Come on Slate 🤙🤙🤙

 

[AZFox]

I think the natural marketing one-two punch of a Small Pickup + Minimalist Ethos is underappreciated.

And Slate's Unique Proposition has more to offer besides just that, like ability to wrap (and, importantly, re-wrap!), convert to an SUV or Electric Panel Van at any time, DIY appeal, etc...

I wouldn't choose the Ford if it cost significantly less for a "similar configuration" -- which is technically impossible because they're really different horses for different courses.

 

[ClarD]

Imagine if Ford tried this again: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger_EV

A coworker has a Chevy S-10 EV.

 

[zipn]

I think the biggest problem with this from Ford is calling it a model-T moment. There's really nothing revolutionary here. A low-cost entry level EV on a skateboard built with large components pre-assembled on multiple lines.

If anything the SLATE is doings this differently with a no-dealer model and plastic body panels. In addition the approach of a single model coming down the line with after-manufacturing modifications is much more of a "model-T" moment than what Ford cooked up.

'I'm not against Ford offering a low cost EV (truck/suv/sedan). Competition improves the breed for everyone, but they blew it when they raised expectations to 'next model-T' territory.

If they would have debuted an EREV with a small rotary ICE range extender, a small battery with 100/500 mile range AND get it to market under $30K (add a 48 volt DC low-voltage architecture); now THAT would have been something!

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I think the biggest problem with this from Ford is calling it a model-T moment. There's really nothing revolutionary here. A low-cost entry level EV on a skateboard built with large components pre-assembled on multiple lines.

If anything the SLATE is doings this differently with a no-dealer model and plastic body panels. In addition the approach of a single model coming down the line with after-manufacturing modifications is much more of a "model-T" moment than what Ford cooked up.

'I'm not against Ford offering a low cost EV (truck/suv/sedan). Competition improves the breed for everyone, but they blew it when they raised expectations to 'next model-T' territory.

If they would have debuted an EREV with a small rotary ICE range extender, a small battery with 100/500 mile range AND get it to market under $30K (add a 48 volt DC low-voltage architecture); now THAT would have been something!

YES! This! I'd be in the market for this at >$30K.

 

[Letas]

YES! This! I'd be in the market for this at >$30K.

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

 

[Doctors Do Little]

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

I like the looks of the Scout vehicles, but 2027 production time frame? Guess it would be weird if I traded in my Lightning for a Scout in 2 years, right after taking delivery of my Slate!? All of this waiting is chaffing me.

 

[KevinRS]

From what I saw there was a glimpse of a front end, no grill, smooth front, and that's the only detai shown. Apparently they are saying it will have the passenger space of a mid-sized truck, with the footprint of a maverick, and a frunk and bed.
That doesn't leave a lot of footage for the bed, so maybe those images we saw before were accurate, with what looked like a 3 ft bed.

 

[PACMAN]

Glad I hadn’t pinned my hopes on Ford. Come on Slate 🤙🤙🤙

Same. What a dud of a “reveal.”

 

[EverythingSlate]

I never seem to get over the taste of nothing burgers 😂. That could have been a presser. This announcement felt like a way to stay relevant, in a market they’ve been slow to deliver.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I never seem to get over the taste of nothing burgers 😂. That could have been a presser. This announcement felt like a way to stay relevant, in a market they’ve been slow to deliver.

At least they are low carbs!?

 

[ScooterAsheville]

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.

 

[GaRailroader]

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.

Well said. One other item they implied but didn’t outright state was a structural battery pack. Tesla did that on the Y early on but I don’t think they are building that way anymore.

 

[GaRailroader]

I think when I am driving my Slate the only thing I will be envious of on the Ford EV is the LFP battery pack. Every other spec and feature to me is advantage Slate.

 

[Trace26]

Slate was not on Ford's radar. They started work on this over 3 years ago back when Slate was barely an idea. This was a reaction to GM's Ultium and Chinese EVs. A single EV platform that can be used for many different vehicles. Except Ford focused on minimizing cost and complexity.

Sorry, the early announcement was a reaction.