UEV Platform presentation: "Ford Bounty Hunters: The Pursuit of Efficiency."

[SomeStupidDriver]

Sorry, but unless they are selling direct to consumer, then its impossible to promise affordability.

Dealers have very clearly demonstrated that THEY control the affordability, and Ford can't do a damn thing about it.

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[JRDM2]

Again, "Universal EV Platform" should be able to accommodate the full size lightning truck, EREV should be part of that equation as well, just like scout is doing.

Like I said, what they are doing and what they are saying just does not make any sense at all.

That's an overly literal reading of the term "universal", it mainly means they're going to support a variety of vehicle types on it, think sedan, minivan, compact truck etc. If you see what they're doing in the video, the chassis and drive train they've developed for the platform, I don't know if any fan of the current Lightning wants a gigacast aluminum chassis on a full sized truck.

 

[Legacy_Lightning]

That's an overly literal reading of the term "universal", it mainly means they're going to support a variety of vehicle types on it. If you see what they're doing in the video, the chassis and drive train they've developed for the platform, I don't know if any fan of the current Lightning wants a gigacast aluminum chassis on a full sized truck.

Agree, universal does not mean change in material for the chassis. They can make a derivative of the UEV.

 

[JRDM2]

Agree, universal does not mean change in material for the chassis. They can make a derivative of the UEV.

I expect a lot of what they learned can be ported over, but it probably would need to be adapted to work on a larger vehicle.

 

[Ventorum94]

“Efficiency”?? There’s still a disconnect between Ford and traditional F150 buyers, who don’t care that lowering the roof height by 1mm saves $1 on a smaller battery pack, or optimizing the profile and alignment of the wheels for aerodynamics. F150 buyers add lift kits, leveling, aftermarket wheels and large tires- negating millions of efficiency-design dollars. Ford thought the same electric truck buyers all had garages for charging, drove less than 200mi/day, and would accept a truck that couldn’t tow a horse trailer 600mi in a day (whether they ever actually need that or not). I don’t see how a low-to-the-ground, smaller car-like electric truck solves anything… is that really what the market is clamoring for? Is that what the original F150 Lightning should have been? It’s a tough concept to get excited about. I’m not going to rush out and buy any F shares based on that video.

 

[JRDM2]

Efficiency is nice but charging is just as important. See Lucid Air v Porche Taycan. I suspect they aren't targeting family road trippers though but that forces them to have 2 vehicles so Farley's alleged money savings go out the window.

Right, hence my dig at the 400V high voltage they're going with for this platform. I hope they can change that to 800V sooner than later.

 

[EV Engineer]

“Efficiency”?? There’s still a disconnect between Ford and traditional F150 buyers, who don’t care that lowering the roof height by 1mm saves $1 on a smaller battery pack, or optimizing the profile and alignment of the wheels for aerodynamics. F150 buyers add lift kits, leveling, aftermarket wheels and large tires- negating millions of efficiency-design dollars. Ford thought the same electric truck buyers all had garages for charging, drove less than 200mi/day, and would accept a truck that couldn’t tow a horse trailer 600mi in a day (whether they ever actually need that or not). I don’t see how a low-to-the-ground, smaller car-like electric truck solves anything… is that really what the market is clamoring for? Is that what the original F150 Lightning should have been? It’s a tough concept to get excited about. I’m not going to rush out and buy any F shares based on that video.

The maverick is very popular.

I imagine Ford is going to take a fork in the road for their vehicles next 10 years.

Escape / Maverick / Bronco Sport --> U EV

Expedition / F150 / F250 --> Gasoline. Maybe EREV or something but I imagine when they run the numbers without CAFE standards it'll all just go back to pure ICE.

Something like 75% of truck owner's haven't towed in the last year. But if they can buy what they want --- I agree---they don't care about an extra 50 miles of range in a econo-truck. They want the full size.

 

[ChrisCon]

So Ford made an Apple keynote video to prepare us why their next pure EV truck, will not look like a truck, will be low to the ground, won't be body on frame., and will only compete on efficiency and price..

Good luck I guess ? The maverick does have a market, it's just definitely not my market.

 

[DavidS]

Apparently Ford is also hedging their bets on this new platform and is also in talks with the White House and China to bring in alternative low cost platforms and do final assembly domestically. If that happens, based on Lightning and T3, there’s also a non-zero chance that UEV platform evaporates.

 

[P-38]

Something like 75% of truck owner's haven't towed in the last year. But if they can buy what they want --- I agree---they don't care about an extra 50 miles of range in a econo-truck. They want the full size.

Hey I tow every week! (Shh don't tell anyone that it's just the garbage can)

 

[TaxmanHog]

 

[RocketGhost]

I just don't know how Ford can realistically compete with the Chinese. The Chinese government subsidizes EV production, they have access to battery minerals, and their labor is far less expensive. Ford is at a huge disadvantage. How can they cut costs so drastically to make up for that?

 

[TaxmanHog]

I just don't know how Ford can realistically compete with the Chinese. The Chinese government subsidizes EV production, they have access to battery minerals, and their labor is far less expensive. Ford is at a huge disadvantage. How can they cut costs so drastically to make up for that?

They can't hence the trade barriers from CN to US will continue.

 

[Zprime29]

Finally watched it along with Tom's interview.
1. They at least they seem to genuinely be trying.
2. That bed in the truck profile looks incredibly short. At that point might as well just get a SUV.
3. They're ball parking 50kWh battery for the base? I'm cool with LFP...but wow. Even with all the improvements, I don't see it getting better than 3mpk. 150 miles, less on freeway. I guess Ford will at least get to claim it *starts* at $30k?
4. I was disappointed at no 800V architecture, but I saw it pointed out in the comments for Tom's video that high power charging isn't going to make sense for such a small pack. Even 200kW is going to be a 4C rate. Compared to around 1.5C for the Lightning's current max.
5. Does the 48V setup and that integrated "E-box" mean no 12V battery will be required!? That would be awesome!

I'm intrigued enough that I'll follow progress. But... @Ford Motor Company, you better put your dealerships on notice. They will MURDER your efforts and not blink twice about it. Could be a good candidate for my son who will start driving in 5-6 years, but I've lost a lot of confidence in Ford dealers being able to handle EVs. Prove me wrong.

 

[EV Engineer]

Finally watched it along with Tom's interview.
1. They at least they seem to genuinely be trying.
2. That bed in the truck profile looks incredibly short. At that point might as well just get a SUV.
3. They're ball parking 50kWh battery for the base? I'm cool with LFP...but wow. Even with all the improvements, I don't see it getting better than 3mpk. 150 miles, less on freeway. I guess Ford will at least get to claim it *starts* at $30k?
4. I was disappointed at no 800V architecture, but I saw it pointed out in the comments for Tom's video that high power charging isn't going to make sense for such a small pack. Even 200kW is going to be a 4C rate. Compared to around 1.5C for the Lightning's current max.
5. Does the 48V setup and that integrated "E-box" mean no 12V battery will be required!? That would be awesome!

I'm intrigued enough that I'll follow progress. But... @Ford Motor Company, you better put your dealerships on notice. They will MURDER your efforts and not blink twice about it. Could be a good candidate for my son who will start driving in 5-6 years, but I've lost a lot of confidence in Ford dealers being able to handle EVs. Prove me wrong.

I "hope" you're underestimating efficiency .

Efficiency is SO much to EV's because it increases range, drops weight, and better charge times.

400V charge architecture is actually very reasonable if you can get 3 or 4 miles / kWH. Some of the chinese EV's even claim 4-5 miles / kWH. I have no idea their real world efficiency.

But I think ford is trying really hard. The secret sauce to a good EV is miles / kWH. It just makes everything else better. The claim 15% better than any EV truck at current. That is NOT a good number IMO. I suppose rivian is most efficient? So 15% better than 2.7 is like 3.1.
I would hope they'd get at least into the high 3's in town with maybe 3 flat at highway speeds.

They are really touting it in the video, very curious in the actual product.

I don't think you can sell a real car in today's EV market under 220 miles. People just don't want it.

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