Harley Lover Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 In addition to the Explorer/Aviator EV news, there were other tidbits of interest: Quote The multiday meeting focused on Farley's desire to form an "always-on relationship" with customers as presenters stressed the increasingly key role of connectivity for profit margins. [This includes] an expansion of the FordPass app and over-the-air updates to improve vehicles after purchase. Also: Quote Ford detailed new incentives to encourage service technician retention and promised to keep its commercial EVs, which will fall under a new FordPro subsidiary, accessible to its wider dealer body — in contrast to General Motors, which plans to sell its BrightDrop electric delivery vans through separate stores that won't necessarily be affiliated with GM dealers. Also this: Quote The officials said a plan to send dealers unfinished vehicles is on hold for now and likely won't be implemented unless production is hampered significantly in the coming months, according to those at the meeting. This mention of Maverick and perhaps an attempt to downplay the talk of a lesser showroom presence: Quote Dealers who attended the meeting drove preproduction models of the upcoming Maverick hybrid compact pickup, which Ford stressed would be a major part of future showrooms. And some product news (none of which should be surprising): Quote The company's large SUVs, the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, will get hybrid variants within a few years as part of expected redesigns. Hybrid powertrains are also expected on popular models including the Ranger, Mustang and Ford's Bronco family of utilities. After the middle part of the decade, Ford could add battery-powered versions of its Bronco SUV or Ranger midsize pickup — two possibilities it hinted at in May and which would align with its focus on electrifying strong-selling, established vehicles. And finally: Quote Dealers said the tone was upbeat and that they appreciated Ford's transparency, which some had felt was missing under Farley's predecessor, Jim Hackett https://www.autonews.com/sales/future-product-ford-ready-hit-gas-evs?utm_source=weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210829&utm_content=hero-headline 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alterbridge86 Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 Good news all around. Particularly pleased to hear that the plan to send unfinished vehicles to dealers is on hold for now...that sounded like a disaster waiting to happen. Also nice to hear some official confirmation that the Exp/Navi will be getting Hybrid powertrains at some point, though I was hoping we'd see it before the full redesign in a few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 Glad to hear they’re doing something for the techs. That’s been a problem for many years now. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 Thanks for sharing details from this Automotive News article Harley Lover sir. While the title of the article is whimsical, it's great news that Ford is accelerating efforts towards meeting the automotive industry's big 3 goals of 100% electric vehicles, 100% autonomous vehicles, and integrating mobility services and software into the business. And my cousin who is a technician at Darcars Ford near Washington, D.C. will be happy about Ford's new initiatives to attract and retain techs. Especially techs who are certified in electric and hybrid powertrain technologies, like my cousin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeluxeStang Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 We're now also hearing that ford did confirm that the s650 will be releasing in 2023, with a hybrid model expected to go on sale in 2025. So glad that ford is now openly discussing the s650. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pffan1990 Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 Can't read the article due to required subscription. But I am pleased with what I read here from the summarized points in the OP. Sounds like Ford has a good plan regarding customer support, technology, commercial EVs, and EVs from expanded families of nameplates. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds from here on within the next few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twin Turbo Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 19 hours ago, DeluxeStang said: We're now also hearing that ford did confirm that the s650 will be releasing in 2023, with a hybrid model expected to go on sale in 2025. So glad that ford is now openly discussing the s650. https://www.drive.com.au/news/next-generation-ford-mustang-due-in-2023-hybrid-option-to-follow-in-2025-report/?fbclid=IwAR02JZ9smnYryL4qvcP2zvFVrZ_SWOkgF59MLqLsR0tc3VTrB4EvZ3EbYIg Citing a recent, confidential multi-day Ford dealer meeting in Texas, industry publication Automotive News reports the next-generation Mustang (codenamed S650) is slated for launch for Model Year 2023 in the US, which would see it go on sale between mid-2022 and mid-2023. A hybrid Mustang will reportedly follow in 2025 – the first electrified Mustang in the nameplate's history – and while Automotive News doesn't detail specifications (nor what engine will be used), earlier reports and patents suggest a large-displacement petrol V8 driving the rear wheels, and two electric motors powering the front axle, for 'e' all-wheel drive. Contrary to reports in recent years, the new Mustang won't ride on Ford's latest 'CD6' rear-wheel-drive platform used in the US-market Ford Explorer large SUV – instead, it will employ a "re-engineered" version of the current car's platform, with the possibility for combustion-driven all-wheel drive, the publication reports. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 Great news that the plants will finish incomplete vehicles before sending to dealership, factory teams require no training and will get the jobs done quicker. It’s less messy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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