Ford Universal EV Platform Announced: Innovation Meets Efficiency in New EV Platform, Assembly Process and Midsize Truck

[Lytning]

I'm guessing a 48 volt low voltage harness, you can run smaller wires for more weight reduction on top of the reduced 4000 feet of actual wire.

Good point and likely. It would also allow more accessories on the CAN bus than 12 volts.

Sponsored

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Will we see a prototype today?

That reveal will deserve its own moment. Today’s announcement is a strategy and manufacturing update – more significant to the future of Ford than any single reveal.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Will this announcement include details about leveraging core competencies to maximize growth across key sectors? Asking for a friend.

I'll circle back on it.

 

[watts/up]

In hindsight, calling this a "Model T Moment" makes perfect sense. A lot are disappointed that there wasn't a reveal but the real point of this presentation was a proposed reorienting of the entire company, citing reasons and also risks. While the Model T itself was significant, much of what made it successful was Ford's revolutionary approach to engineering and production. That's what Ford is now trying to harness.

 

[Maxx]

I think Jim Farely, who has been endlessly frustrated with QC and recalls, has figured out how to reduce his headaches - more vehicles without engines!

That does not mean less headaches for us. My dealer wanted to do an oil change on my 20K service today.

 

[COrocket]

I’m guessing they didn’t share any specs on the truck since it’s still too far out from release to know for sure what final pricing will be.

When Tesla went all in on similar things like large castings and reduced wiring techniques with the Cybertruck, one of the big points that brought a lot of bad press was that their top of the line truck was announced at $69,999 for 500 miles of range. It later released initially at $100k+ for 325 miles of range with a battery smaller than the Lightning.

I’m glad Ford is taking a more conservative approach so they have a better shot at delivering what is promised when they announce the details.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

I’m guessing they didn’t share any specs on the truck since it’s still too far out from release to know for sure what final pricing will be.

When Tesla went all in on similar things like large castings and reduced wiring techniques with the Cybertruck, one of the big points that brought a lot of bad press was that their top of the line truck was announced at $69,999 for 500 miles of range. It later released initially at $100k+ for 325 miles of range with a battery smaller than the Lightning.

I’m glad Ford is taking a more conservative approach so they have a better shot at delivering what is promised when they announce the details.

But but Ford is the first in the world to do this, how could it be that Tesla did the same thing, but sooner??

 

[jdmackes]

It sounds to me like Ford is moving towards what GM did with their Ultium battery; making a modular battery system that will fit multiple different types of vehicles. Seems like a good move for them and it seems like it has been working out for GM also.

 

[Scorpio3d]

This was always hyped as a platform reveal, which is what it was. They never said anything about a product reveal.

 

[NikonJim]

They included a prototype in the announcement.

 

[GDN]

I'm guessing a 48 volt low voltage harness, you can run smaller wires for more weight reduction on top of the reduced 4000 feet of actual wire.

I give Ford a little credit for having a plan that seems they can execute on in 2 years. However I can never see something like 48 volt architecture being part of it. Tesla couldn't even make that happen in time for their Cybertruck.

While Ford may have learned to use less wire, we already know that they disbanded the team that would have really overhauled the architecture of the new vehicles. They would have needed to move to central computers and had nothing more than switches and motor elsewhere in the vehicle and cut down on stupid things like motorized shifters. Then maybe they could have accomplished something bigger. I believe they have way too many vendors of all of those modules that could never coordinate that kind of move.

 

[BluesClues]

There is deep irony with starting their new EV platform with a truck is wild.

The Lightning is one of the best vehicles (great truck, mediocre EV) ever made, and it didn't sell at insane volume.

Unless this is highly capable and at 400mi range; I dunno how this does numbers.

 

[watts/up]

Unless this is highly capable and at 400mi range; I dunno how this does numbers.

Cost comes to mind. We'll see though.

 

[GDN]

There is deep irony with starting their new EV platform with a truck is wild.

The Lightning is one of the best vehicles (great truck, mediocre EV) ever made, and it didn't sell at insane volume.

Unless this is highly capable and at 400mi range; I dunno how this does numbers.

Is a small truck really destined to be a road trip or pulling vehicle with 400 mile range? It could never handle the weight of the Lightning battery. I wouldn't expect the range on this to be more than 250 miles. It's a close at home use vehicle for individuals and a high uptake for business use.

 

[Scorpio3d]

I believe they said midsize trucks, which is Ford Ranger size not Maverick size.
GM Canyon/Colorado
Toyota Tacoma
Nissan whatever
Rivian
Etc.

Sponsored