The fact that people in the know have hinted the team has delivered something genuinely revolutionary in a manor that's far more cost efficient had traditional Ford teams tried to create it. We're close enough now where it's not just objectives on a whiteboard anymore, it's a real platform, and vehicles, so we're starting to get an idea of it worked, and based on what insiders are saying, it has. 

Then with ICE products, you lean into passion products. Because the only customers who genuinely care about gas engines are enthusiasts. Most people couldn't care less about engines, and suck at taking care of them, hence why those engines are nothing but a warranty and reputational liability long term. But enthusiasts do, so invest in ICE development and improvement where it matters.   Then you have EREV/hybrid tech which makes a lot of sense for larger vehicles because they're more efficient, and cheaper to run, which is very important to those buyers. But they don't have the range anxiety of pure EVs, and we've seen with things like pro power, having an on-board generator, it makes these vehicles really enjoyable to use for individuals, and fleets alike.    It's been a lot of pain to get here, and there's still a ton of uncertainty, it's a big IF, but IF Ford pulls this off, they'll be virtually unbeatable. They'll have a lineup of enticing affordable EVs that become the standard in quality and innovation while being profitable, something like an electric escape that's a better crossover than the gas escape could ever dream of being. Then you'll have icons like a V8 mustang living well into the future, and then you have a hybrid f-150 that can do basically whenever your business needs it to do.    I can see this kind of lineup clear as day, and frankly, it's really impressive. The ideas are there, they just need to improve on their execution. If they do, I predict our outlook on Ford will be a lot more positive in 5 years than it is now. 

What evidence? 

I believe this is an oversimplification. Yes Ford's leaning into its passion products, and commerical vehicles, because those are pillars of strength for the company. But there's a lot of evidence to suggest if the skunkworks team is successful, Ford will once again become a dominant player in the world of sensible, affordable vehicles, and that those learnings will transcend EVs, and be something Ford can apply to ICE vehicles.    In terms of body styles, CE1 is incredibly flexible, and it's no secret that Farley has talked about using to platform to return to segments like sedans or hatchbacks, but doing so it a way that's profitable or sustainable. It's been a lot of pain getting here, but in terms of strategy, I think Ford now has the smartest lineup strategy in the world, hear me out. Making affordable vehicles more centered around EVs, because those customers mostly care about reliability, low maintenance, a relaxing, smooth ownership experience, and EVs will never be beaten by ICE tech in those areas, especially since EVs are generally insanely reliable now, and the battery tech ford is gonna use is only gonna be more bulletproof than what's already out there. That's gonna appeal to so many people, especially since charging infrastructure is greatly improving, and costs are coming down. 

2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) | J.D. Power  

Farley's vision is to emulate Lamborghini; niche emotional vehicles and work vehicles.   “I will build a motor car for the great multitude. It will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one — and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces.” -Henry Ford   “It wasn’t a mistake to try, but our costs were not competitive with Toyota and Hyundai/Kia, and in the end, we have to change to Broncos and pickup trucks.” -Jim Farley.   I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer on here, but I believe there is more to it than cost competitiveness. Ford discontinued the Escape, because it wasn't "cost competitive" in the hopes that people will rush to CE-1 (someday), while the best selling CUV, Toyota RAV4, is built 78 miles away.  I think it maybe time for Bill Ford to put an engineer back in the wheelhouse, Boy Racer ain't butterin' no parsnips.   Lamborghini Reveulto & R6 140:  

followup if anyone from fords F150 group still browse in here, or care for any feedback...   have had the trucks quite a while, the 22 has been flawless so far, the 19's been in the shop more than all the vehicles ive had combined the last 40 years...   that said, I still love that darn 19... the 22? meh.    ford coulda fixed the phaser and 10r80 issues, put a larger screen in the older model, it would be better than the 22. shifter/mode/manual ergonomics of the idiotic folding shifter are terrible compared to the 19. leather quality in the 19 is way way better. muting the ANC/fake engine noise made the 22 as boring as a windstar to drive...whoever decided to mute it on the 3.5 lariats instead of letting owners decide, should be canned... same with steering wheel button layout. nothing on the truck besides the shifter is really 'new', just different... moving every steering wheel button? why? moving lock button on outer handles? why? have had it a few years now, and still find it a inferior vehicle from the drivers seat to the 19...   seems like 'all new' was - 'change everything/keep it the same though'.   only think on the 22 i like better is the hood shape, as its perfectly shaped for the red/black 3.5 twin turbo emblems...i wanted to put them on the 19 also, but hood shape is inverted... the 19 headlights dont glare as bad- why on the steerable headlights are the low beams low mounted??? glare is terrible compared to the 19, and the 22s intense brightness reflects so bad on roadsigns my old eyes much prefer the 19's more uniform/less glaring light...never ever get flashed in the 19, in the 22 all the time...   all first world problems, and yeah, just one bitchy customer, continue on if you want...but if ANYONE in the f150 design group gives a damn about ergonomics, try something: drive a 19 3.5 lariat in sport mode for a week. try actually using manual mode, push the up/down buttons, etc... start up, tap thumb button 5x without looking at it, leave dash buttons in 2H... do that daily, see how natural it all works.  now drive a new one, same thing- start up, put in sport, put in manual mode, put in 2H... try doing it without looking, count the freaking steps, and how many times you gotta look away from the road...    ask yourself honestly which one works logically/without having to look? try the manual up/down shift buttons- can you bend your thumb that far without lifting your hand off the shifter? can you even grasp the shifter normally without lifting your elbow off the console? try the 19 shifter again...hmm. how did these 'features' get past initial design phases???    listen to the racket of the newer 3.5 lariat... listen to the subtle v8 sound of the 19 3.5 lariat in sport mode, tell me which one 'feels' more powerful in normal driving... see what I mean?   lets rehash: say your wife drives both, just starts/drives in default you get in and prefer 2wd sport mode   2019- touch start put in gear and tap thumb button 5x for sport (stayed in 2wd) drive a great sounding truck if you want manual, pull back one click +/- buttons are naturally positioned right at your thumb, forward/backward   2022- touch start look at dash, turn knob left 5 clicks wait for it to shift to 4wd look at dash, push 2wd wait for shift to 2wd put in gear-may need to lift elbow -unless limp wristed- to fully grasp shifter drive windstar sounding truck if you want manual, look at console for unlit/flush mounted M button and press it if still on the road, use the awkward placed vertically stacked +/- buttons- lift hand off shifter if needed   thoughts on which seems kinda ergonomic?   suggestions: try and drive new/old/use most functional layout let truck remember modes by keyfob, like seat position. just scrap the stupid folding shifter...useless without work surface, just use column shift for those.   other suggestions: low beams should be mounted high...they look better and glare less to the poor car in front of you, as they aim down a little softer rear door seals. years later, kids still have to slam rear doors twice every time better steering wheel leather- most touched part of the truck, new stuff feels like cardboard. leather shifter like the older ones. add buttons to backside of steering wheel for audio, like GM...its just better. fire whoever signed off on the max tow axle bolt design... that was a idiotic mistake go back to thicker tranny fluid. aluminum spools/aluminum body/ulv fluid is black by 50k miles... loosen that crap up a thou, run real oil, the issues will go away.   rumor has it, the fiber engine diaper is actually a oil catcher, hiding drips to get past warranty... make it durable if needed, make valvecovers aluminum so they dont crack and leak for no reason. increase hot idle rpm so adequate pressure for phasers is always there, plus reduced chain slap to make tensioners life easier... most notorious problems will go away. mpg is zero idling anyway... cop vehicles especially that idle a lot, will last forever idling at 800   just some suggestions from a old ford fan, that honestly is simply fed up with preventable issues and what I feel were stupid designs...sorry- America needs Ford... but Ford needs to try harder. the cost of these recalls are nothing compared to folks like me whose brand loyalty is gone... 2 new trucks, older one is great but was unreliable-till upgrades put in, newer ones been reliable so far, but i do not trust it more than the other- still has the old CDF bushing/soft drum... and its boring/awkward unless just soccer mom mode...shouldnt be this way.   anyone who cared to read this far, thanks for taking the time... by the way- last vehicle i ordered was a 23 widebody challenger... yeah, I also used to joke 'dodge' means 'to avoid'... honestly i'd trust that mopar more than these trucks, and it cost a lot less. afraid Ford needs to try harder or they aint gonna make it... not here to just bitch, here to point out the guys in charge need to focus on product better.   ergonomics. durability testing. tech input on crap/good design ideas. 'feel' of materials and controls. sound- and owner selectable if synthetic.    these cost relatively nothing, could save billions... how much has ford blown on phasers? 10r80 valve bodies? 10r80 CDF bushings? 10r80 soft aluminum drum splines? 'max tow' axles? these NEED recognized as completely avoidable issues, and quit hiding behind TSBs because 'experts' with actuary tables say its cheeper to ignore.    those experts see dollars, not pissed off buyers that no longer see ford as durable, and worth the extra money.  had i known that fake engine noise was muted on the 22 i'd have ordered a hemi dodge for less money    

Yes, I was wondering about a transverse engine set up kind of like the HF55 but incorporating a larger drive motor for the front axle….   Not sure what is possible here but wondering if the HF55 can be connected to the Lightning’s front transmission…but how do you package all of that?   The Shark 6 also has a drive connection to the front wheels but is only one speed that cuts in over 70 kph/ 45 mph I think the F150 would need more than this to satisfy owners.. you’ll laugh but thinking “powerglide” with one planet carrier..

That YT video shows the reviewer getting an actual 23MPG, or 10.2L per 100 km.  So yeah, not that good IMHO.

JP, can you elaborate more on what you mean by a “split cycle hybrid transmission”? Are you thinking of an upgraded HF55 hybrid transmission or something similar to the BYD Shark?