Harley Lover

This isn't vaporware, Ford, time to get going with Transit EV (from https://www.autonews.com/future-product/gm-launches-commercial-ev-brand-fedex-first-customer?utm_source=breaking-news&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210112&utm_content=hero-headline):

The reality is their next opportunity to join won't be until 2025: https://www.autonews.com/world-congress/ford-says-1920-us-dealers-agree-new-ev-rules?utm_source=breaking-news&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20221205&utm_content=hero-headline

An update on the Ford program requiring dealers to invest if they want to sell EV's: Two thirds of the dealers. Interesting... https://www.autonews.com/world-congress/ford-says-1920-us-dealers-agree-new-ev-rules?utm_source=breaking-news&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20221205&utm_content=hero-headline

The point is your misquote makes the title argumentative, whereas the actual title is explanatory.

If you're going to link the article, at least quote the title correctly: "Why it's so hard for Ford to catch up with F-150 Lightning orders"

I decided to put this in the Ford discussion area because I think the issues being considered by Toyota are the same that Ford are considering (or should be). This part reminds me a bit of the news that the Mach E chassis is being abandoned in favor of a 'next gen' (GEII?) EV chassis : Much more in the article: https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/toyota-rethinks-electric-car-strategy?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20221025&utm_content=article3-headline

Chinese market vehicle. From the op link:

Antaus, it's already being discussed here: Maybe the mods can find a way to put these 2 together?

LOL. To read all of this speculation, one might think that big bad Ford foisted this on the poor wittle dealers with no input or dialogue with the dealers. Again, from the article quoted by jpd80: "Dozens of meetings with dealers". "The evolution of where we finished versus where we started was a direct result of dealer input". LOL Trying to get all dealers to agree to anything is the equivalent of herding cats.

Does that F series figure include the unfinished units? If not, that's got to be close to a 60 day supply, which seems inflated in the current circumstances?

My point in quoting those 2 passages was to point out that it's not just the charging station issue the dealers are fighting, (some) dealers also are fighting Ford's ability to set margin on EVs. Granted that Ford are using the charging station issue to link to the margin change, but in the abstract, I can't see a situation where Ford would not be allowed to set whatever margin it desires, as long as all dealers are treated equally - perhaps that's the rub.

From jpd80's linked article: And, interestingly, this: As has been noted in other contexts, the dealers have their state franchise laws to fall back on and try to protect their income.

Those reviews were incorrect. My 2013 C-Max Energi (PHEV) has selectable modes (EV/Gas only/Hybrid), so obviously Ford has offered this capability for almost a decade on its PHEV models. What you read *might* apply to a 'regular' Escape hybrid, so perhaps there was a misunderstanding of which model was being described.

Enough already.

I hate to quote things from this source, but the reporter (Alisa Priddle) is legit, so:

So - this makes even more concrete the reason for selecting the Kentucky location for the twin battery plant (Louisville always had a future). Does this also mean that OAC will definitely be getting GE2?

How new is the info on CE1? You've done a great job uncovering info that was not widely known prior to your post!

Not sure I agree with the (non)crash worthy premise. Look at the VW ID. Buzz. From my armchair arguing position, I would say that the passenger compartment is closer to the front end than the Tesla, yet it meets crash standards:

Another Jim Hackett mistake.

None of which addresses whether or not their processes and manufacturing are leading edge - as VW have now seemingly realized about their situation.. Is GM using their version of Tesla's gigapress? I doubt it. Having a bespoke EV chassis does not ensure world class cost structure, again as VW have apparently realized. GM 'engineering by press release' notwithstanding.

Just read this, looks like Ford are locked in on MEB (at least for for now): https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/ford-drop-fiesta-bring-forward-ev-launch?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20221026&utm_content=hero-headline

Toyota's lagging entry to EVs might have done itself an inadvertent favor - witness VW's early jump and now having to rework its plans and chassis as it comes to the realization that its costs and complexity (those go hand in hand) put it at a disadvantage versus Tesla. How much money have VW already burned on equipment and processes that aren't good enough to compete globally? Toyota might actually benefit in the sense that they (perhaps) have not spent nearly as much as VW on their EV program, and thus have the benefit of being later to the party and can learn from what is being done elsewhere (Tesla) in order to apply best practices (something that Toyota is very good at doing). I wonder where GM/Ultium lie in this context? I don't trust their marketing of Ultium as world class, but I don't know enough to discount their claims either.

Just messing around.

If Ford want to avoid becoming a regional automaker, being king of pickups won't be good enough.

P.T. Barnum was right.