jpd80 Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 (edited) In recent times, big improvements have come from making vehicle construction less complex/easier to build and standardising the construction process, modular assembly from offline work stations. Looking at construction in different ways… While a akirby is right that much of the body construction, interior, trim and wheels, brakes, suspension are all similar, the difference is the way they go together. Take Mustang Mach E, the shell is there but now less complex to build because it bolts to a frame. The perimeter frame in a skateboard is arguably easier to make (external supplier) and fit parts together compared to a unibody with a bunch of parts in a jig waiting to marry up in an overhead position. The secret is how all the parts come together, the construction happens earlier in better position for workers (line can move faster). Edited December 25, 2021 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 3 hours ago, jpd80 said: In recent times, big improvements have come from making vehicle construction less complex/easier to build and standardising the construction process, modular assembly from offline work stations. Looking at construction in different ways… While a akirby is right that much of the body construction, interior, trim and wheels, brakes, suspension are all similar, the difference is the way they go together. Take Mustang Mach E, the shell is there but now less complex to build because it bolts to a frame. The perimeter frame in a skateboard is arguably easier to make (external supplier) and fit parts together compared to a unibody with a bunch of parts in a jig waiting to marry up in an overhead position. The secret is how all the parts come together, the construction happens earlier in better position for workers (line can move faster). I agree about the skateboard being easier but I was comparing Mach-e to Ranger which is also body on frame so the final assembly is very similar with the savings being in the chassis and powertrain assembly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 (edited) 26 minutes ago, akirby said: I agree about the skateboard being easier but I was comparing Mach-e to Ranger which is also body on frame so the final assembly is very similar with the savings being in the chassis and powertrain assembly. Correct but the one thing that changes is the perimeter frame and layout of equipment, I suspect that there’s some not so obvious differences there that add up to a lot of labor savings….that is of course assuming what Ford said was true. I just found the article where they said building a traditional powertrain is the most labor-intensive part of vehicle construction…..so yeah, it’s the engine and gearbox, get rid of them and the build becomes much easier. https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/04/business/electric-car-job-threat/index.html Edited December 26, 2021 by jpd80 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausrutherford Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 Interesting stock news that could occur by the end of the year: Ford's market cap - $83.12 billion GM's market cap - $83.38 billion 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurgeh Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 On 12/27/2021 at 10:01 PM, ausrutherford said: Interesting stock news that could occur by the end of the year: Ford's market cap - $83.12 billion GM's market cap - $83.38 billion ...and Rivian as of yesterday, $92.62 billion. Kinda nutz. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, Gurgeh said: ...and Rivian as of yesterday, $92.62 billion. Kinda nutz. Wow, that’s a big call (Rivian price) compared to Ford and GM…….. Edited December 29, 2021 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 9 hours ago, Gurgeh said: ...and Rivian as of yesterday, $92.62 billion. Kinda nutz. And Rivian just announced a delay in their long range battery to 2023. Delays will be the name of the game for near term at least. No one will meet their near term schedules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 1 hour ago, FordBuyer said: Delays will be the name of the game for near term at least. No one will meet their near term schedules. Yes sir FordBuyer. At the same time, demand for BEV keeps increasing exponentially. What Jim Farley said about demand for Ford's BEV being 2 to 3 times supply may be the norm for all automakers for several years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarheels23 Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 On 12/8/2021 at 3:36 PM, FordBuyer said: Word out today that Farley wants to build out a Maverick sub brand like Bronco. I suspect a small Maverick CUV that replaces the Ecosport and comes in hybrid, plugin, and full electric versions. You have to cover all bases as not everyone wants or can afford a full electric. But everyone wants good fuel mileage. this sounds great to me, have a 2013 C-Max and will need something, preferably Maverick plugin in a couple years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slemke Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 As of Tuesday’s close, Ford’s market cap ($83b) exceeded that of GM’s ($82.9) for the first time since 2016. GM pulled back ahead on Wednesday. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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